France’s 1905 secularism law bans religious symbols in public spaces, including town halls.
Mr Menard defended his decision to once again display the nativity scene, dismissing his critics as “grumpy people”. He told local television: “The nativity scene is where we come together, because it’s our roots and those of all the people of Beziers.”
He intends to host a Hanukkah celebration later in the month, an event that has also been denounced by secularist protesters.
Sophie Mazas, a lawyer with the League of Human Rights, told Le Parisien: “On the church steps, at your house, at my house, the nativity scene poses no problem. But in the name of the principle of secularism […] a nativity scene has no place in the courtyard of a town hall.”
Mr Menard is one of ten mayors across France who defiantly display nativity scenes in their town halls.
Last year, Beaucaire, a town in Gard, saw its mayor, a member of the National Rally party, fined €120,000 (£105,000) after they refused to remove a nativity scene.
“Every year, we [make] a guest book available. It contains between 20,000 and 25,000 signatures. People love it,” Mr Menard said.
“The nativity scene is a moment that brings everyone together. Here we don’t proselytise, we simply remind everyone of a message of love.”
