Parisians out

[L Austin France]

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/ ... h-tourists

[Blaze]

It was ever thus, Parisians have never been popular in Brittany (and elsewhere). That said, going by the registrations in this area (75, 77, 78, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95) Parisians are no more the majority of tourists than from anywhere else. It's not Parisians who drive camping cars down narrow streets - that domaine belongs to non-Parisian old farts who are unable to do any manoeuvre in less than a 100m radius.

Mass tourism is getting worse and worse and climate change is going to make people change their habits, which may not be welcomed by Brittany. We are currently in a state of "crise" as regards drinking water and our water pressure has been reduced. If there is no substantial rainfall between now and the end of the year, they are saying we could run out of drinking water. One of the aggravating factors is the enormous number of visitors (not just Parisians) in the summer and water use and waste is enormous.

The nightmares of mass tourism and water shortages are huge subjects in themselves .....

[Lori]

One of the aggravating factors is the enormous number of visitors (not just Parisians) in the summer and water use and waste is enormous.

I think about this a lot, especially this year. We are under 'alert' restrictions for water use. We follow the rules and do out part, but what about all those hotels, restaurants, tourists, etc. who go on like nothing has changed. I'm not saying hotels and restaurants should not operate or that tourists should not come, but the restrictions must impact everyone, not just residents who keep up with and follow the rules.

There have been several towns in France, over the years, that have run out of tap water. It has been a fairly regular discussion in this house. Really a scary thought. And I've said it dozens of times, in this department (probably others too), not nearly enough is done to collect the mass amount of Spring and Winter rainfall we get. There are floods EVERY single year. I haven't seen any new collection fields or even heard of any plans for such. I realize no one wants to raise taxes, but when there is no water, it will be a bit late to come to the plate.

[L Austin France]

One of the aggravating factors is the enormous number of visitors (not just Parisians) in the summer and water use and waste is enormous.

I think about this a lot, especially this year. We are under 'alert' restrictions for water use. We follow the rules and do out part, but what about all those hotels, restaurants, tourists, etc. who go on like nothing has changed. I'm not saying hotels and restaurants should not operate or that tourists should not come, but the restrictions must impact everyone, not just residents who keep up with and follow the rules.

There have been several towns in France, over the years, that have run out of tap water. It has been a fairly regular discussion in this house. Really a scary thought. And I've said it dozens of times, in this department (probably others too), not nearly enough is done to collect the mass amount of Spring and Winter rainfall we get. There are floods EVERY single year. I haven't seen any new collection fields or even heard of any plans for such. I realize no one wants to raise taxes, but when there is no water, it will be a bit late to come to the plate.

Absolutely my thoughts.
We're here doing all we can to conserve & reuse water on the garden but can't imagine for one minute that tourists here give a toss as they luxuriate in their holiday showers etc.

[exile]

The problem @Lori is that in areas such as ours, 3 months of tourism (2 in summer and the third spread around public holidays) brings in 80% of the annual income for many businesses. Without tourists many of the amenities that we enjoy would simply cease. Fewer restaurants.
No railway.
Severely reduced markets.
Reduced entertainment
Fewer sporting events
and so on.

[Lori]

The problem @Lori is that in areas such as ours, 3 months of tourism (2 in summer and the third spread around public holidays) brings in 80% of the annual income for many businesses.

It is a double edged sword.

[Sparkle]

I'm of the same thought re water especially as our tiny village has several holiday homes - British, American and several from the Paris area. Three weeks ago one of our Paris neighbours arrived. 3 small children, 2 dogs plus another couple with two children and a dog that stayed for two weeks. During last week another few relatives arrived. I was thinking all those showers possible twice a day during the very hot weather, kiddies that are going to need changing and all the necessary washing of clothing. Meanwhile we are putting the plug in the bath to take a shower and collecting the shower water in a large bucket and using to flush the loo. We haven't used the dishwasher in weeks and have cut back on the amount of pots we're using in fact have brought out some old paper plates. The washing up water is done in a bowl with a small amount of water and rinsed in another bowl again with a small amount of water - every drop of water we can save we do save. So I'm sorry exile but I'm not too worried about entertainment as we don't have any here except the local football teams & boules nor do we have any transport whatsoever, a couple of bars and two restaurants. Our local restaurant is now charging 50c for those tourists that walk in wanting to use the loo and/or asking for a glass of water and I don't blame them. To get to the supermarket its walk, cycle or drive 4km (our village has nothing at all which I think is the attraction) So knowing about the waste of water from just one of my holiday home owners vexes me when we are doing our bit ............sorry - rant over

[exile]

@Lori I quite agree. I hate them too but they keep our communes alive.
@Sparkle we too collect water from the shower. We have been en crise for a couple of months now. A disadvantage when you live atop a mountain and the only natural reservoir is the sky.
I think your option for hand washing instead of using the dish washer might be misplaced. A modern dishwasher uses 17l water or less. So, provided it is filled before being run, I think you are sure to use a lot less water than hand washing - even if you do then use the soapy/greasy water for other uses.

[Sparkle]

@exile

re the dish water - yes I'm 100% sure - why because we have one meal a day (never eaten breakfast) so for two of us two plates, two mugs and 2 glasses. One wash up a day. I'm not cooking so no pans just a salad- eh and less of the greasy .

[L Austin France]

@exile

re the dish water - yes I'm 100% sure - why because we have one meal a day (never eaten breakfast) so for two of us two plates, two mugs and 2 glasses. One wash up a day. I'm not cooking so no pans just a salad- eh and less of the greasy .

Yeah, but when you hand wash, do your glasses sparkle Sparkle?