Mont-de-Marsan: Charles Dayot inaugurated the Laulom islet

Under construction since October 2023, the Laulom block was inaugurated in front of dozens of brave souls braving the heat this Friday, June 13, in Mont-de-Marsan. While it looks more like a large playground than a public garden, the site, which now connects the Place des Arènes to Pancaut, seems to be delighting the first users.

Curious onlookers , soothed by the ambient oven, tongues hanging out, huddled in the shade. Joyful children with sticky locks of hair running and jumping on the lawn sprayed by small jets of water. Meanwhile, elected officials, soaked in their suits, delivering speeches. This is what the inauguration of the Laulom block looked like, finally weathering the storm. This Friday, June 13, 2025, in Mont-de-Marsan, several dozen bystanders crowded under the blazing sun to discover the beast, barely visible in recent weeks behind its two dark and austere gates.

Under construction since October 2023 , the gap that connects the Place des Arènes to Joseph-Pancaut is therefore finished. The most impatient and motivated came to see what the site looked like, composed of a skatepark, children's games and even an open-air theater. Nearly 7,000 square meters of space open to the public (during opening hours) created to give the city a green and breathing space in the heart of the city, where a bus shed once stood, of which only the yellow metal structure remains.

"We'll wait for it to grow, but it's nice."

"Before, there were only two trees. We've planted 168," said Mayor Charles Dayot in his inaugural speech. It's hard to tell, at a glance, if the count is correct, but the fact remains that there are trees, but they are not yet large enough to provide locals with the "cool island" and "green lung" promised by the mayor.

"We'll wait for it to grow, but it's nice," smile a young woman and her mother while the grandson refreshes himself with the garden tap. With its equipment and paved paths, the place looks more like a playground than a real garden, where nature has yet to take its course, but it seems to suit the first visitors: "It's magnificent!" even enthuse two retired friends. "We're right in the center. We'll come for walks in the afternoons."

Nearly 3.5 million euros, including some 700,000 euros from the municipality (which was aided by the State, the Department, Europe and the Water Agency) will have been spent to create this "green corridor".

What's next? "The complete rehabilitation of Place Joseph-Pancaut," the mayor and candidate for re-election declared, before listing the possibilities offered by the venue (open-air cinema with the Grand Club, concerts in conjunction with the CaféMusic') in a speech that sometimes took the form of a first meeting for the 2026 municipal elections. The campaign is launched!