Residents of a three-story residential building in Villenave-d’Ornon, near Bordeaux, spent three months climbing stairs after their only elevator broke down in June 2026, according to local reports. The disruption at the Les Serpentines housing complex stemmed from an administrative oversight involving new security installations managed by the social landlord Domofrance.
The elevator failure began in early June 2026 in building A, which houses 14 tenants across three floors, as reported by Sud Ouest. Tenants immediately alerted the property manager via email. The breakdown occurred following security upgrades implemented by Domofrance, which included closing off the residence and installing a new access door in the common areas to curb loitering.
Why the Elevator Remained Broken for Three Months
According to Domofrance representatives, the prolonged outage was an unintended consequence of safety enhancements meant to secure the building’s shared spaces. Miscommunication between the housing management team and the external service provider delayed repairs until the lock on the new security door was adjusted.
Eric Mangiarotta of Domofrance acknowledged the breakdown in service quality, stating that the organization plans to conduct a review to prevent similar administrative and logistical gaps in the future. The lock was eventually replaced, and the elevator returned to service on September 3, 2026.
Tenant Impacts During Summer Heatwaves
The three-month outage coincided with summer heatwaves, creating significant hardships for residents carrying groceries, strollers, and pets up multiple flights of stairs. Anaïs, a resident interviewed by Sud Ouest, reported climbing the stairs seven to eight times daily while managing a toddler and an infant. Another resident with a severe medical condition who relies on a portable oxygen tank noted that she frequently depended on neighbors for assistance when mobility became too difficult.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the elevator break down and when was it fixed?
The elevator stopped working in early June 2026 and was repaired on September 3, 2026, according to Sud Ouest.
Who manages the Les Serpentines residence?
The property is managed by the social housing provider Domofrance.
What caused the elevator delay?
Domofrance attributed the delay to miscommunication between its property management team and the external service provider following the installation of new security doors in the building.
Related reading