The commune of Viviez in the Aveyron region of France has honored its former mayor with an honorary title, in what officials say is the first such ceremony in the town since the 19th century.
Current mayor Philippe Fouquenet presented the honorary diploma to his predecessor Jean-Louis Denoit, who served as municipal councillor from 1995 to 2000, deputy mayor from 2000 to 2001, and mayor from 2001 to 2026.
Fouquenet said the recognition marked more than 30 years that Denoit had devoted to the commune. He described being mayor not as cutting ribbons and presiding over ceremonies, but as carrying the worries of an entire population while remaining available day and night, on weekends and public holidays, with great sacrifices required from those close to the officeholder. He praised Denoit as a man of the field and conviction who had always shown the will to serve Viviez.
Fouquenet also highlighted the transformation of the town under Denoit’s tenure, including improvements to equipment, roads and infrastructure, along with trips to Paris and abroad to defend projects, find partners and secure funding. Difficult battles included the bachelors’ hotel, Kéréa, land decontamination and natural disasters.
Fouquenet said he presented the diploma with great pride, emotion and deep recognition. The audience, which included former mayors and current elected officials from the area, responded with prolonged applause.
Denoit said he was grateful and noted he was the first to become honorary mayor of Viviez, as previous holders of the title had been elected by grand electors in the 19th century. He added that he had joined the Association of Mayors of France early in his tenure.
Denoit said being mayor meant learning across all domains, with the most enriching aspect being human knowledge and the building of connections and networks, always with the challenge of putting public interest first. He said he had always fought for industrial jobs given Viviez’s history, and urged his successors to keep building and moving forward.
