Guarding the beaches

Locally we have seen lifeguards at the river and lake bathing places, employed by local authorities to keep watch over the enthusiastic but not always experienced bathers. But at le Bacares, near Perpignan, the local maire has the largest beach in Roussillon to keep watch over.
9 kilometres of  sand at the Mediterranean shore attract 200000 visitors per day and the mairie has recruited 22 lifeguards to patrol the beach from 9 watch posts.
The guards noticed that people still needed rescuing at lunchtime, so have been obliged to change their hours from 9-12.30 and 14.30-19h to provide a continuous cover from 11h - 19h. Outside those hours the mairie is not responsible, though, of course rescue services are available via the pompiers.

Le Barcares, Roussillon