In this talk, I presented a conflict that opposed elected representatives to State engineers in France in the implementation of a floodplain restoration project on the Rhône River. Drawing from what can be seen as a failure in policy implementation, I discussed how we can learn from conflicts, especially to improve public engagement in environmental planning. Analyzing conflicts can help to change the ways we engage with residents and actors that are usually left aside of decision-making when it comes to flood protection policies, seen as technical issues.