Mayor of Arcachon sentenced to €10,000 fine for threats and insults against political opponent
Yves Foulon, Republican mayor of Arcachon, was sentenced on Thursday by Bordeaux court to €10,000 in fines for threats and insults directed at Vital Baude.
Yves Foulon sentenced to €10,000 fine for verbal abuse against political rival
Bordeaux criminal court delivered its verdict on Thursday 20 August 2026: Yves Foulon, Republican mayor of Arcachon (Gironde), has been sentenced to €10,000 in fines, of which €5,000 is suspended, for "threats", "non-public insults" and "violence" directed at his main opponent, environmentalist councillor Vital Baude. France3-regions.franceinfo.fr reports that Foulon is also required to pay €2,000 to Baude for moral damages, as well as €500 for functional damages.
The court did not follow the prosecution's recommendations, which had sought four months' imprisonment accompanied by a €10,000 fine on 1 July 2026. Neither a custodial sentence nor ineligibility was imposed.
An altercation filmed on the evening of the first round of municipal elections
The incident dates back to 15 March 2026, on the evening of the first round of municipal elections. That evening, Yves Foulon verbally attacked Vital Baude in an altercation recorded by independent media outlet Vakita, as part of a documentary devoted to the environmentalist opponent's election campaign. The video was shared on social media on 17 March 2026 and accumulated several million views, far exceeding the local Arcachon context.
In the footage, Mayor Foulon uses particularly violent language towards Baude: "If I could screw you, I would", "you are a son of a bitch", or "if I could corner you behind the bins to give you a beating, that would please me". The exchange took place against the backdrop of disagreement over the demolition of Villa Salesse, a building from 1854 typical of Arcachon villas, which was destroyed after a demolition permit was granted during Foulon's term in office. Vital Baude had denounced "the destruction of architectural heritage" during the campaign.
Initially, Yves Foulon had referred to "a set-up" in a press release, before apologising before the court on 1 July 2026, acknowledging that he had made "unacceptable" remarks that he "sincerely regrets".
Baude judges the sentence "too lenient"
Upon leaving the courthouse, Vital Baude said he was satisfied with the guilty verdict, describing the outcome as "a victory that tarnishes Yves Foulon's record". However, he believed the sentence imposed was "too lenient". "The sentence that has been imposed by the judge should make us all question ourselves: the public prosecutor had sought four months' imprisonment with suspension, the judge did not uphold that, nor ineligibility. I am worried, this should make us question the signal this decision sends. This decision could undermine the proper functioning of local democracy", he said upon leaving the courtroom. He added bluntly: "You can afford the luxury of insulting an elected official for €5,000."
Baude clarified that he would shortly meet with his lawyer to examine the possibility of the prosecution appealing. "I would like him to appeal, but that is his prerogative and not mine", he said.
Mayor's lawyer speaks of a "reconciliation judgment"
On the defence side, Maître Benoît Ducos-Ader described the decision as a "reconciliation judgment". "The sentence is far less than what was sought by the prosecution. There are simply two fines, one of which is suspended. All of this prevents any appeal from the prosecution and the civil party, as well as from Mr. Foulon's side. I think everyone will leave it at that", he said. Arcachon town hall, when contacted, did not respond to requests for comment.
Yves Foulon has ten days from the date of the verdict to appeal before the criminal appeals court of the court of appeal, if he wishes.
Other legal proceedings ongoing in the Villa Salesse matter
Following the hearing, Vital Baude emphasised that this judgment will highlight two other legal actions against Yves Foulon, still pending, linked to the same Villa Salesse matter.
The Arcachon Site Preservation Association (ASSA), chaired by Jacques Storelli, has resumed criminal proceedings against the mayor following the rejection of its administrative appeals by the State Council in late 2024. The association believes that elected officials were insufficiently informed about the scale of demolitions. A complaint was filed on 4 May 2026. Furthermore, the association Anticorruption Action (AC!) has also filed a complaint for "forgery" and "unlawful exercise of authority" in this same heritage matter.
Source: Google News FR — Crime (fr)