A heated debate has reignited among Saint-Nazaire city officials over the reinstallation of "Les Javelots" (The Javelins), a sculpture by Peter Logan that is set to return to the city's waterfront in summer 2026. The controversy centers around the project's ballooning costs, which have increased from an initial estimate of 300,000 euros to 435,000 euros, sparking criticism from opposition council members.
During the most recent city council meeting on Friday, November 21, 2025, opposition councilwoman Sophie Fay from the Ensemble Solidaires et Écologistes group raised concerns before the official agenda even began. She pointed to Mayor David Samzun's signature on two contracts that would push the installation costs significantly higher than originally announced. "What would cause the business leaders to suddenly withdraw from this project?" Fay questioned, implying potential issues with private sponsorship funding.
The mayor's response was notably defensive, taking particular offense not just at the cost overrun criticism but at what he perceived as underlying implications about the artistic works patronage fund. This fund has been a persistent point of contention between Samzun's majority and the opposition throughout the project's development. "I deplore the permanent dogmatism of the opposition group," Samzun stated during the council session.
Despite the heated exchange, Samzun remained firm in his commitment to the sculpture's return. "Yes, the javelins will come back, the population is waiting for it and the space is reserved. And yes, I'm trying to respond to this demand in an extremely difficult context. Yes, I really hope that business leaders will come help us," the mayor declared, emphasizing both public support for the project and the challenging financial environment the city faces.
Deputy Mayor Michel Ray provided technical updates on the reinstallation process, confirming that the artwork has been structurally reinforced and improved. According to Ray, the design sketches have been completed and production is currently underway, with completion expected by the end of winter 2026. The sculpture will feature a new maintenance protocol to protect it from weather damage.
"We will dismantle the mobile parts each winter entrance to reassemble them in spring," Ray explained, outlining the seasonal maintenance plan designed to preserve the artwork's longevity. This approach represents a significant change from the original installation, suggesting that previous weather-related damage may have contributed to the sculpture's initial removal.
The Javelots sculpture has been a source of ongoing political tension in Saint-Nazaire, with its absence from the Villès-Martin waterfront becoming a visible reminder of municipal disagreements. Mayor Samzun had previously indicated in April 2025 that the project would require "a substantial budget," a warning that opposition members clearly took to heart and continue to scrutinize.
The debate reflects broader questions about public art funding and municipal priorities in French coastal cities, where tourism and cultural attractions must be balanced against fiscal responsibility. With the sculpture's return now scheduled for summer 2026, the controversy seems far from resolved, despite the majority council's previous vote approving the reinstallation.
