The "Space," a major agricultural event in France, took place in Bruz, near Rennes (Ille-et-Vilaine), from September 15 to 17. This year, the event focused on water, a topic that has become increasingly urgent due to a record-breaking drought. The gathering attracted around 100,000 visitors and featured 1,200 exhibitors showcasing the latest technologies, livestock, and agricultural machinery. Didier Lucas, president of the Space, noted that water has been a growing concern for several years, with 2022 coming dangerously close to a water crisis. He called for open dialogue on water use with society and local communities, moving away from rigid positions. According to the Service de la donnée et des études statistiques, agriculture accounts for 61% of water consumption in France, far exceeding the 24% used for producing drinking water. The event included workshops and roundtable discussions on water, but the majority of participants were from the agro-industrial sector, with limited representation from civil society and local communities. Farmers who attended emphasized the need for water storage for irrigation, without challenging the current agricultural model. Thierry, a dairy farmer from the Deux-Sèvres region, said water storage is essential for farming, arguing that financial support for irrigation is crucial for the future of agriculture. Julien, a 19-year-old farmer from the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, echoed the need for water storage, citing the current drought as a clear example of its necessity. He criticized the lack of water retention in his region and noted that environmentalists are not always supportive of farmers. Roxan, a farmer from the Gers, added that people with higher education are increasingly creating obstacles for agricultural practices. Dominique Balac, a cattle farmer from Morbihan and a representative of the FNSEA, urged citizens to practice water conservation and to address leaks in the water distribution network. During the event, only two sessions offered alternative perspectives on water management, one on quantity and one on quality. One of these took place in the "Espace pour demain," where Luc Aquilina, a hydrologist from the University of Rennes, discussed water sharing. He debated with Rémi Pitré, president of the water management syndicate of Ille-et-Vilaine, Sébastien Floc’h, general director of Sill, an agro-food company, and Dominique Balac. Aquilina argued for revising the agricultural model and promoting nature-based solutions, such as restoring wetlands and reducing farm sizes. Floc’h dismissed this approach, suggesting water savings should come from industry, such as reusing washing water. Balac emphasized technical solutions for water retention, including storing rainwater and runoff and protecting wetlands. Stéphane Galais, a farmer and spokesperson for the Confédération paysanne, called for a comprehensive approach to water use, arguing that water storage should benefit everyone, not just agriculture. Bruno Retailleau, a Republican presidential candidate, criticized environmentalists during his visit, accusing "dogmatic ecology" of hindering the agricultural sector's ability to adapt to climate change.