Pézenas Nizas Airfield

Economic and land-use change. The primary reason for the closure was the decision by the local governing body (Communauté d'agglomération Hérault Méditerranée) to repurpose the land for a renewable energy project. The site was deemed ideal for the construction of a large-scale photovoltaic power plant (solar farm), which was considered a more economically valuable use of the land.

The site of the former airfield is now completely occupied by the 'Parc Solaire de Nizas' (Nizas Solar Farm), a large photovoltaic power plant developed by GDF Suez (now Engie). The runways, taxiways, and hangars have been demolished and replaced by thousands of solar panels covering approximately 18 hectares. While the land is now used for energy generation, faint outlines of the former runways can still be discerned on historical and current satellite imagery.

Established in 1934 by the Aéro-club de Pézenas, the airfield was a hub for general aviation and leisure flying in the Hérault department for over 70 years. It was a civil airfield that primarily handled light aircraft, gliders, and model aircraft. The facility featured two parallel runways: one paved runway measuring 850 x 20 meters (02/20) and an adjacent grass strip measuring 730 x 80 meters. It served as the home base for the local flying club and played an important role in the region's recreational aviation community.

None. The prospect of reopening the Pézenas Nizas Airfield is virtually zero. The land has been permanently and comprehensively redeveloped into a significant piece of industrial infrastructure (the solar farm). Reverting the site to an airfield would require the complete removal of the solar plant and a full reconstruction of aviation facilities, which is not financially or politically feasible. There are no known plans or campaigns to reopen the airfield.