Saint-Hubert, often referred to as the “European capital of hunting and nature”, is a municipality in Luxembourg province rich in tradition and exceptional natural heritage. Since December 2024, Didier Neuvens, an MR member and lead candidate for DYN@M’IC, has been its mayor, following an unprecedented three-party coalition with Borq and Villages and Agissons Ensemble. His rise to the head of the municipality marks a new political era for Saint-Hubert, with renewed ambitions for its development and the promotion of its assets.
For the first time, Saint-Hubert is led by a three-party coalition. How was this alliance formed? What are the strengths and challenges of such an arrangement?
To fully understand the electoral approach taken during the campaign, it's important to first know that the MR put a lot of energy into reviving momentum in Saint-Hubert, notably by supporting the Abbey Palace project, driven by MP-mayor Benoît Piedboeuf and Secretary of State Mathieu Michel. One way of thanking them was to bring the MR into the majority in Saint-Hubert.
With this in mind, DYN@M’IC representatives first met with the former CAP majority to try to build a single list together. They refused.
I then met with the two other lists to ask them: “If the voters decide it, would it be possible for us to form a majority together? And if two of us don’t have a majority, would you consider a three-party coalition on a 2/2/2 model?”
All scenarios had thus been considered before election night, which made it easier to set up this three-party coalition.
The advantages are having a more open college, with everyone bringing their own vision. The challenges are that it requires much more exchange between us. It's a group within three groups…
Saint-Hubert is a municipality where local employment and support for self-employed people are essential. What actions do you want to implement to encourage new businesses and companies to set up here?
5 actions are planned:
- Addressing the lack of parking in the town centre by creating new spaces
- Filling up the industrial zone
- Creation of stepping-stone businesses
- Creation of a new fire station
- Developing the aerodrome, providing a hangar and runway for a RESCUE helicopter (medical and forest fire response). This seems logical, given that climate warming is increasing the risk of forest fires, and a medical helicopter would not be a luxury in Luxembourg province.
What are the major upcoming projects to improve municipal infrastructure? Are there specific plans to enhance accessibility and the quality of services for residents?
- Addressing the mobility issue stemming from the previous urban renewal, which concentrates traffic towards schools
- Commitment by the municipality to a new urban renewal
- Relocation of the Town Hall to the Administrative Centre, to meet the needs of people with reduced mobility and parking requirements
- “Saving our care home”: a general issue affecting our elderly, often neglected, with infrastructure that is difficult for small municipalities to finance
Saint-Hubert is a popular destination for its natural and historical heritage. How do you plan to boost its tourist appeal and better showcase its strengths?
Saint-Hubert is rich in its forest, historical, religious and cultural heritage. In 2025 and 2027, the municipality will celebrate three jubilees, which is exceptional for a mayor. Whoever celebrates them next may not even be born yet…
In 2027: the 1300th anniversary of the death of Saint Hubert, and the centenary of the Abbey's elevation to a Basilica
In 2025: the 1300th jubilee of the transfer of Saint Hubert's remains from Liège to Andage, which became Saint-Hubert
The municipality has just entered into a partnership with a CREAVES, granting it an occupancy agreement for part of the Saint-Hubert game park. It is committed to developing this centre to bring it up to a European level, in line with its title as European capital of nature.
Note that the cafeteria and playground in this park will be renovated thanks to a CGT grant of €1,600,000.
In addition, Saint-Hubert’s flagship project is the development of the Abbey Palace and its outbuildings, via a consortium of entrepreneurs, to create a 100-room 4-star hotel. The municipality is actively supporting this project.
Another major project: the repair of the Basilica roofs, with an initial framework agreement worth €10 million. The total cost of the works is estimated at €40 million.
Finally, developing the sports offering is also on the agenda, including the creation of a dojo.
The International Days of Hunting and Nature are a highlight for the municipality. How do you reconcile preserving this tradition with opening up to a wider audience and new environmental challenges?
On 3 November, it's the feast of Saint Hubert, a must-see event that is a great success. It is the very embodiment of the European capital of hunting.
The blessing of the animals after Mass opens the event up to a wider audience than just hunters.
Openness to environmental issues is a much broader debate than just these Days. We are exploring various options, as any responsible municipality would.
Being mayor also means listening to residents. How do you plan to strengthen citizen participation and dialogue with the population?
Through my profession as a veterinarian, I'm already immersed among the population, which makes meeting and exchanging with them easier.
For citizen participation, traditional tools are being continued and expanded, with meetings village by village or neighbourhood by neighbourhood, using the full range of resources available to municipalities.