In a small commune in Meurthe-et-Moselle, distracted motorists are learning about a sanction that is somewhat unusual, reported by L’Est Républicain. Their vehicle doesn’t roll straight to the impound lot; it first becomes trapped behind several metal barriers. The car appears to be caged in the middle of the street, as if placed in an improvised enclosure. This staged scene brings smiles to some residents, while also serving as a reminder that parking remains a matter taken very seriously.
In recent days, this tactic has been used again after yet another bout of chaotic parking. This summer, the first car was left on a municipal lawn just a few feet from the cinema’s parking area. It had already been encircled by barriers. Now, a vehicle parked across two spaces on quai de la Vezouze has been confined in the same way. It’s in Blâmont, in Meurthe-et-Moselle, that this story of a misparked car is making the rounds. The town hall prefers the cage of barriers to an immediate call to the tow truck.
In Blâmont, a poorly parked car ends up locked in rather than towed
The latest episode took place on the quai de la Vezouze this week. A driver, described as a repeat offender, parked across two parking spaces instead of one. Barriers were then arranged all around the car. It became impossible to exit without outside help. The mayor chose humor to accompany the action, inviting the offender to go have their sight checked by an ophthalmologist to test their ability to read the white lines.
In Blâmont, the municipality takes a firm stance against this type of behavior, but sometimes chooses responses other than a financial penalty. The vehicle was kept in place behind its screen of barriers. It was not hauled away to the impound lot. The scene remains visible to everyone, a real-life reminder of what ignoring ground markings entails. For the driver, the misadventure translates into a moment of public embarrassment. It also requires a trip to the town hall to restore a normal situation.
The first car in cages and what the law says about a nuisance parking
This method did not arise with the car that was poorly parked across two spots. On July 21, 2026, the mayor of Blâmont, Yann Durand, had already caused a stir with a similar scene. A car had been left on a municipal lawn, while a parking lot stood only a few meters away. It remained there overnight, only to be found in the morning encircled by four metal barriers. The green space had turned into a small cell for a scatterbrained motorist.
In most towns, such behavior can merit only a simple fine for nuisance parking. It can also be classified as very troublesome or dangerous. The country’s Highway Code provides for a second-class contravention, about €35 (roughly $38). It can also fall under a fourth-class fine, around €135 (roughly $145). In this case, a possible tow-away remains possible if the vehicle truly blocks traffic. When the tow truck arrives, removal and storage fees are added to the fine. This total can quickly push up the bill for the motorist. Deliberately obstructing a tow could even lead to criminal charges. The theoretical risk tops out at three months in prison and a fine of up to €3,750 (roughly $4,000). That is a far sterner horizon than a car locked behind barriers in a village street.
