Tourist food lures boars to the beaches
According to local residents, boars seem to have quickly realized that it is easy to find food on the beaches in summer. Vacationers bring snacks, leave some unattended, and a lot of food leftovers end up in coastal trash bins.
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Boars are encountered not only by beach visitors. Campsites, restaurants, and holiday homes located on the coast also complain that animals overturn trash containers and search for food in them.
So far, no serious accidents have been recorded. Experts say that boars are usually not aggressive but may attack if they feel cornered, are injured, or believe their young are in danger.
One French tourist told TF1 television that while vacationing on a beach frequented by boars, he simply tries to stay alert. Another said he often encounters boars in the forests, but seeing them on the beach still seems unusual.
A 45-kilogram boar emerged from the sea
An unusual scene was recorded this May at the Almanarre beach in the city of Hyères. A boar weighing about 45 kilograms swam out of the sea and, apparently frightened, ran across the beach looking for a place to retreat.
According to local experts, boars can swim several kilometers. In recent years, they have settled on Mediterranean islands, including Porquerolles, Port-Cros, and Levant, and are also able to swim from the islands back to the mainland.
Up to 450 euro fine for feeding boars
The problem has become so serious that some municipalities have taken stricter measures. In the Fréjus resort, feeding boars can result in a fine of up to 450 euros this year. This decision was prompted by residents’ complaints about destroyed flower beds in city parks and private gardens.
However, according to officials, people continue to feed the boars despite the ban. Because of the easily accessible food, the animals are increasingly approaching residential areas and places frequented by people.
Boar populations rapidly increasing across Europe
France is not alone in facing this problem. More wild boars are being observed in other European countries as well.
According to the French Hunters Federation, more than 881,000 boars were hunted in the country during the 2024–2025 hunting season alone—twice as many as two decades ago. However, their population continues to grow, causing about 90 million euros in damage to agriculture annually.
Scientists identify milder winters as one of the factors for the boar population increase—more young survive until spring. The previous wildlife population management practice, where food was left for boars in forests and hunting of young and females was avoided, also raises debate.
Similar scenes have recently been recorded in Spain. Last month, a video spread on social media showing several boars walking among vacationers on the Torreguadiaro beach in San Roque. Last summer, boars were filmed in Malaga—they were swimming in the sea and hiding from the sun under a beach umbrella.
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