Racial Discrimination Exposed at French Riviera Private Beaches, Study Finds

After receiving several reports (emails or via social networks) from people who were victims of racism, the association wanted to verify the situation on the ground. Using an experiment used for several years, the SOS-Racisme teams tested several private beaches on the Côte d’Azur. Two of them were singled out, according to a report from the association.

Questioned about the results of the investigation, Hermann Ebongue, general secretary of the association, explained that Maghrebian and black couples were denied access to these two private beaches in Juan-les-Pins because they were, according to the employees, full. Problem: a white couple who then presents themselves is accepted in both cases.

"Among all the establishments that were tested, not all have made discriminatory practices. We do not want to cast opprobrium on the city or the profession, but to show that there are still things that should no longer take place in our country," said the official.

At the end of the operation, the SOS Racisme Association does not rule out filing a complaint against the prefectures and the places concerned. The latter face a sentence of 3 years in prison and a fine of 45,000 euros, recalled Arié Alimi, lawyer and member of the national office of human rights.