For a country known for beautiful views, France seems to have a lot of ‘ugly places’ - at least, according to the Paysages de France (PdF) association, which has unveiled its annual list for 2023.
The list - called Les Prix de la France Moche (‘The Ugly France Prizes’) - is actually an ironic form of protest; the association has long campaigned for the protection of landscapes and countryside, and is against the proliferation of excess signage, road furniture, and visual pollution.
This stretch of road has been highlighted for its overwhelming selection of mismatched signs and flags. These include arrows to a car wash, garage panels, a sign for a car park, and smaller stands signalling where to get the region’s famous ‘Kouign-Amann’ pastries.
Another site cluttered with signs for shops and car dealerships. “These banners are bordering on excessive, and should be banned,” the association said.
Not even historical monuments are safe. Another highlighted ‘ugly’ area is a section of road in this historic department, where a stream of white traffic barriers (ostensibly to protect pedestrians and cyclists) threatens to overwhelm the sight of the famous menhirs in the neighbouring field.
It may be considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world, but Paris has received its fair share of condemnation on this list. Place des Vosges in particular has been criticised for its gigantic advertising panels, which are nearly as tall as the buildings and dwarf pedestrians below.
‘Accustomed to ugliness’
Paysages de France has used its list to remind mayors that they are allowed to oppose these ‘excesses’ by introducing or amending un règlement local de publicité (RLP, local advertising regulation) and by asking police to ensure companies’ compliance with the Code de l'environnement (Environmental Code).
"Paysages de France believes that this is the only way to avoid becoming accustomed to ugliness,” it said.
“Let's hope that these 2023 awards will continue to open the eyes of those who seem to turn a blind eye in the name of progress and modernity to sprawling shopping areas, streets saturated with advertising hoardings and rampant concrete development…,” it concluded.
Did last year’s list make a difference?
The results have been mixed.
When revealing its list for 2023, the association also gave updates on its 2022 winners, stating:
Moussac: Following the intervention of Paysages de France, the “wall of shame” (in the words of the mayor of Moussac) has been “cleared of its line of advertisements”.
Villlard-de-Lans: “A digital information panel that shows us - among other things - the landscape we could see if it wasn't there, is still there,” said the association.
Aubière: Almost all the advertising and signs highlighted by the association are legal, and have not disappeared. “They are tangible proof that the regulations are particularly lax, and the government's plan will not be enough to make places any less ugly,” said PdF.
Saint-Paul: The list has appeared to have the desired effect. PdF said: “Without any formal request from [us], the ads all disappeared a few days after the list of winners was published.”
