It’s a tradition. As soon as the weather is nice and warm, Toulouse residents rush to La Ramée. For the past few days, the beach has even been crowded. With the rise in temperatures, many young people come to quench their thirst. Jérémy, a student, came to enjoy this green space with his friends. “We are better off here than in our little studios. For more than a week, we’ve been hot and it’s hard not to be tempted by a dive, ”laughs the one who has just finished his games.

Swimming at La Ramée Lake is however prohibited before July 9th. Most of those who have put on the swimsuit know this, but prefer to venture into it anyway. Léonie, who came with her girlfriend, frees herself from the restrictions: “There are a few signs, but we just dip our feet! »

Unsupervised, swimming is dangerous

Philippe Plantade, elected in charge of the leisure bases in the metropolis, wishes to alert the rebellious swimmers: “There have nevertheless been 5 deaths in the space of 3 years. We sometimes talk about teenagers who die there”. Toulouse Métropole recalls that swimming is prohibited “as long as the space is not secure. »

While the thermometer will get carried away, the people of Toulouse will have to wait until July 9 to be able to take a dip in the lake of La Ramée. “The space is not monitored by rescuers, there is a risk of hydrocution and the ARS has not checked the quality of the water which can be toxic with algae”, continues Philippe Plantade.

A question still remains unanswered: why Toulouse Métropole did not anticipate the securing of the premises? With a peak of heat expected and especially planned since the end of April, a space could have been organized to accommodate, but above all protect city dwellers in search of freshness. On the spot, the people of Toulouse are wondering. “It’s not complicated to monitor the space and put lifeguards there”, reappears the student Jérémy.

Swimming expected this weekend

Toulouse Métropole and its elected representative Philippe Plantade are not obliged to share the same opinion: “We cannot anticipate and secure places in the space of around twenty. it’s more complicated. Toulouse Plages is organized and prepared 2 to 3 months in advance”.

With temperatures expected to reach 34 degrees this weekend, it will be difficult to retain swimmers. Given the crowds of the last few days, the prohibition signs and the ribbons do not seem to call swimmers to order

“The police services and the town hall of Tournefeuille are trying to do prevention. There will be actions required by the authorities, but it is difficult to monitor 40 hectares, ”warns Philippe Plantade. In the event of swimming in this vast leisure area, verbalizations could be made by the police.