A Public Debate "ITER en Provence" organised by the Commission Nationale de Débat Public (CNDP) in France, opened on 16 January 2006. The ITER Preparatory Committee had delegated the CEA, in close cooperation with the ITER International Team, to act on behalf of the ITER Parties in representing the project.

The first public meeting took place on 26 January. It was blocked by demonstrators who toook over the stage. Their objections focussed mainly on the timing of the Public Debate. They argued that the debate was too late since the decision to construct ITER at Cadarache had already been taken. Many of the demonstrators belonged to anti-nuclear groups.

The second public meeting took place on 2 February. Demonstrators were once again present outside, and tried to make the debate impossible by producing a lot of noise. The debate took place in a stressed atmosphere until the demonstrators left after about one hour. After a good two hours of exchanges with the public, the meeting was closed.

The third public meeting took place on 9 February. No demonstrators were awaiting the participants to the public debate. A declaration was made on behalf of the anti-nuclear group, calling for a cancellation of the debate. This was followed by a lively debate with the public for approximately two hours.

Demonstrators take over the stage at the first public meeting