Massive protests in Bure: mobilize opponents of the nuclear waste repository!

Massive protests in Bure: mobilize opponents of the nuclear waste repository!

On Saturday, September 20, 2025, haunting shouts echoed through the small village of Bure in the Lorraine region, just a stone's throw from the German border. The demonstrators, who came together from different corners of the country, protested against the construction of a final repository for highly radioactive nuclear waste that the French authority Andra is planning. Despite the differences between the organizers and the police regarding the number of participants, the organizers estimate the crowd at around 2,000, while the authorities speak of around 700. An independent estimate puts the participants at between 600 and 700. Environmental groups, local farmers and concerned families were represented in large numbers at the demonstration, some celebratory, some seriously determined. Musical interludes and speeches showed the diversity of opinions, while the message was clear: “The risks are being systematically downplayed,” said one activist.

A crucial aspect of the protest was the daily commemoration of the tenth anniversary of the Fukushima disaster - another reason why many people are skeptical about nuclear power. One participant summed it up: “Nuclear power is not a solution, neither for today nor for the future.” According to polls, 62% of French people support phasing out nuclear power, although local political leadership, led by Economy Minister Le Maire, reiterates support for nuclear power and emphasizes the need for the repository project. Mayor Lefèvre appeared willing to talk, but also showed support for the scientifically based solutions.

The situation in Bure

Bure himself is not used to large gatherings of people. With fewer than a hundred residents, the region is sparsely populated and offers a glimpse of ancient customs and simple country life. But the quiet idyll is repeatedly disrupted by the ongoing protests. Organizations such as “BureStop” and “Sortir du nucléaire”, supported by Greenpeace France, mobilize regularly. A permanent protest camp has been established and there are repeated small acts of sabotage, which leads to divided opinion in the region. While some cite progress through new technologies and climate protection as an argument, critics warn of the risks posed by the underground storage of nuclear waste.

The planned final storage facility, called Cigéo, will have 270 kilometers of underground passages and will be installed at a depth of 500 meters, using a construction method that is expected to require more than one and a half times as much concrete as the Gotthard Tunnel. The plan is to accommodate the first nuclear waste containers in the storage facility from 2035, with the first work scheduled to begin towards the end of 2027 or beginning of 2028. But time is of the essence: the storage basin in La Hague, where a large part of France's nuclear waste is currently stored, could be full as early as 2030, which is why the search for solutions is becoming increasingly urgent. The estimated cost of the Cigéo project is at least 73 billion euros, which raises the question among many citizens whether such an investment makes sense.

According to active participants, the protests in Bure are just the beginning of growing resistance to the repository project. The political reactions are being closely monitored and are likely to stir both the region and the country. The next steps remain to be seen with excitement.

For further information about the protests against the planned final storage facility for nuclear waste in eastern France, you can read the articles on stern.de, btcc.com, and zeit.de read up.