There are plenty of regulations when it comes to end of life, but the French coastal town of Le Lavandou might just have the weirdest. That's because in 2000, this small village on the French Riviera made it illegal to die.

The bylaw may sound ridiculous, and in many ways its origins are just that. Faced with a scarcity of burial plots in town and frustrated with rejected proposals for a new cemetery within city limits, then-mayor Gil Bernardi decided to shed a light on the grave situation by passing a rather symbolic measure prohibiting townspeople to die if they have not yet acquired a post-mortem plot.

Le Levandou is not the first town in the world to enact such a restriction, but it gained instant fame with a series of Bernardi-led press conferences. The charismatic leader said he was disappointed that his town could not get approval for a new graveyard, and that while his anti-dying law was meant as a publicity stunt, it seemed to be having an effect on his constituents. "It's an absurd law to counter an absurd situation," he told the press back in 2000. "But it's working: no one's died here since it was passed, and I hope it stays that way."

 

Back to notes
  • Law List: No Lasso Fishing in Montana

    Law List: No Lasso Fishing in Montana

    To anyone planning a trip to Montana, keep your lassos in the saddle because the Big Sky State strictly prohibits fishing with a rope wrangler. In the Montana Code Annotated, fishing with anything...

    Law List: No Lasso Fishing in Montana

    To anyone planning a trip to Montana, keep your lassos in the saddle because the Big Sky State strictly prohibits fishing with a rope wrangler. In the Montana Code Annotated, fishing with anything...

  • Through the Lens: Julie Glassberg's Guide to Paris, France

    Through the Lens: Julie Glassberg's Guide to Pa...

    The Through the Lens series offers insight to some of the best destinations in the world from the perspective of some of our favorite photographers. While all eyes were on...

    Through the Lens: Julie Glassberg's Guide to Pa...

    The Through the Lens series offers insight to some of the best destinations in the world from the perspective of some of our favorite photographers. While all eyes were on...

  • Ori Creative Grant Winner: Mothers of the Sea

    Ori Creative Grant Winner: Mothers of the Sea

    Ori is proud to announce that Fadiyah Alaidrus and Garry Lotulung have been awarded the second Ori Creative Grant for their Indonesia feature "Mothers of the Sea: The Women Protecting West...

    Ori Creative Grant Winner: Mothers of the Sea

    Ori is proud to announce that Fadiyah Alaidrus and Garry Lotulung have been awarded the second Ori Creative Grant for their Indonesia feature "Mothers of the Sea: The Women Protecting West...

  • Through the Lens: Portland, Oregon with Michael Raines

    Through the Lens: Portland, Oregon with Michael...

    The Through the Lens series offers insight to some of the best destinations in the world from the perspective of some of our favorite photographers. Photographer Michael Raines has a...

    Through the Lens: Portland, Oregon with Michael...

    The Through the Lens series offers insight to some of the best destinations in the world from the perspective of some of our favorite photographers. Photographer Michael Raines has a...

1 of 4

Shop Merchandise