More people than ever are trying to practice sustainable tourism, and visiting destinations which pride themselves on being green is a great way to do this. Here, we share three eco-friendly places to visit in France which offer plenty to see and experience whilst doing their bit to help the environment.
1. Eco-Friendly Places to Visit in France: Chamonix
Set close to France’s border with Switzerland and Italy, Chamonix is a stunning, natural destination and one of just a small number of ski resorts to be awarded the Flocon Vert (Green Snowflake). The Flocon Vert recognises those mountain resorts that are practicing sustainable development and responsible tourism, which makes Chamonix the perfect place to head for an eco-friendly holiday in France.
One of Chamonix’s main green initiatives is its eco-friendly modes of transport. Chamonix developed its public transport network as part of its Climate and Energy Plan, and locals, tourists, and those staying in their second homes can all benefit from free bus and train travel which has helped to lower emissions. Two of the buses used in Chamonix are electric, six are energy efficient Euro 6 buses, and six others are hybrid models. In the future, Chamonix will be adding 100% electric buses to its fleet too. To persuade people to use eco-friendly transport outside of its free public network, Chamonix has plenty of charging points for electric cars, and new cycle paths and bike racks are being introduced all the time.
During the winter months, Chamonix is a haven for skiers and snowboarders who enjoy the risk involved with tackling rocky terrain and steep sides on off-piste routes, but also offers nursery slopes and less challenging options for those building confidence in their chosen winter sport. Although it’s known for its snow-based activities, there’s plenty to do in Chamonix in the summer too. Hiking, walking, and mountain biking are all popular options for the whole family, and the daredevils among you might also like to try out rock climbing, paragliding, and canyoning.
2. Green Places to Visit in the Loire Valley: Angers
Located on the edge of the stunning Loire Valley, the city of Angers has been named as the greenest city in France due to its 630 acres of parks (equal to around 42m² per resident), and other green initiatives. 14% of Angers is green space, including parks, gardens, and additional areas of greenery, and 3.5% of the city’s budget goes into creating new green spaces for both residents and tourists to enjoy. Due to this, Angers boasts fantastic air quality, which is tracked by monitors around the city, and also has a reputation for offering a great quality of life to those who live there.
In addition to having plenty of green space, Angers ensures that it is eco-friendly by having 15,000 trees lining the roadsides, and around 50 green pods which are full of flowers and maintained by locals to provide a great hiding place for insects. There are also 300 mini gardens dotted around, and an Environment Centre which holds a variety of great exhibitions and events. The council has been working of ensuring that its fleet of vehicles is as eco-friendly as possible, and a lot of effort is put into separating and recycling household waste.
One attraction that you simply cannot miss during an eco-friendly trip to Angers is the Terra Botanica, the city’s plant-themed amusement park. As the first theme park in Europe dedicated to plant life, Terra Botanica pulls out all the stops with its range of walking trails, rides, entertainment, and 275,000 species of plant to discover. Explore everything from paddy fields and forests to kitchen gardens and greenhouses as you see plant life from the last six centuries, originating from different places around the world. Enjoy 4D films, a tethered balloon flight that’ll take you 150m into the sky, boat trips through the Anjou area, and a ride through the treetops in a walnut shell!
3. Environmentally Friendly Places in France: Strasbourg
The beautiful city of Strasbourg sits on France’s border with Germany, and is made up of gorgeous cobbled streets and quaint buildings which make it feel like it belongs in a fairy tale. This city is particularly eco-friendly due to its emphasis on cycling. In fact, it is France’s leading cycling city due to its 5000km of cycle paths, and the ability to easily hire one of 6000 shared bikes as part of the city’s Vélhop programme. This means that you can cycle around this picturesque destination regardless of whether you decide to bring your own bike onto the ferry.
In addition to cycling, Strasbourg keeps emissions down through its tram network. With six tram lines running through the city, this eco-friendly mode of transport is set deep into the streets and features large windows so that it resembles a moving walkway. Due to making very little noise, trams are the perfect way to get around the city, and people primarily use these if they’re not walking or riding a bike. Car parks with links to the tram lines were developed on the outskirts of the city to encourage people to leave their vehicles behind, and artists and designers were commissioned to create the tram stations and other graphic elements so that the whole network is aesthetically pleasing.
However you decide to explore Strasbourg during your visit, make sure that you visit the area known as La Petite France. Here, you can admire traditional buildings from the 1500s and 1600s, many of which were used by fishermen, tanners, and millers to carry out their trades. You’re sure to love exploring cobbled streets lined with black and white half-timbered houses, and will be able to sample many local delicacies from restaurants that you’ll find along the way. You’ll also love the Parc de l’Orangerie, a park which boasts a boating lake, lush lawns, and long leafy avenues which are perfect for strolling down.
These three eco-friendly places to visit in France are ideal for you if you’re looking for green holiday destinations, and you can reach them all via our Dover to Calais ferry crossing. So don’t delay in booking your ferry to France today!
