Le Rocher Mistral, a Provençal castle turned theme park, has been ordered by the Aix-en-Provence Court of Appeal to demolish significant parts of its developments that were built without the required permits. Situated on a rocky outcrop in La Barben, a small village of 800 people located 50 kilometers from Marseille, the castle is a millennium-old historical site that has been transformed into an immersive attraction featuring special effects, water features, and French-style gardens. The local municipality argued that the project violated urban planning, safety, and environmental regulations, leading to the court's recent decision. On Wednesday, the court ordered Rocher Mistral to pay a fine of 50,000 euros and the project’s promoter, Vianney d'Alançon, to pay a 5,000 euro fine. The park has 12 months to bring certain areas into compliance with regulations, including redoing the plaster of the large gallery, walls, and vaults, as well as removing metal structures placed along the walls. The court also mandated the demolition of unauthorized structures such as the reception area (ticket office and restrooms), prefabricated buildings, a performance stage, a Provençal market, a café, a carousel, and a large esplanade of 2,550 square meters. In response, the management of Rocher Mistral stated that it may appeal the decision to the Court of Cassation, arguing that 80% of the issues cited by the court had already been addressed. However, an unfavorable environmental assessment was issued by the National Council for Nature Protection, citing the impact of the project on protected species, including bats. The court, however, ruled that there was no need to restore the natural habitat of the greater mouse-eared bats. France Nature Environnement Bouches-du-Rhône, which had sought to recognize the ecological damage to the bats, may also appeal the decision to push for the restoration of their habitat. Rocher Mistral aims to restore the castle of La Barben, the oldest in Provence, which is classified as a historical monument. The park has been trying for four years to obtain the necessary authorizations for urgent restoration work. The site offers a Provençal version of Puy du Fou, a famous French theme park, and features local history, such as the adventures of Claude Forbin, a nobleman and privateer in the service of Louis XIV, and the peasant revolt of the Cascaveous in 17th-century Aix-en-Provence. However, some critics argue that the park presents a partial or biased view of the region’s history.