Environment

Solar car parks now mandatory but ‘only 10-15%’ are complying

Large supermarket and shopping centre car parks over 10,000m² risk annual fines of €40,000

Farmer holds freshly harvested peanuts in a rural field beside green crops.

French farmers turn to exotic crops amid climate change

Bananas, peanuts and elephant grass make gains in France

Toulouse mairie fined over shops leaving lights on at night

City becomes the first local authority in France to be fined for failing to enforce night-time lighting rules

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Marseille expands ride options with 500 new electric bikes

Voi and Pony replace Lime bikes to bringing total to 1,500 electric vélos. The city has also added 150 new stations as it pushes greener transport options

Destructive Japanese scarab beetle gains ground in France

Sightings of Popillia japonica should be reported. It was recently seen in the Bas-Rhin, Alpes-Maritimes and Bourgogne-Franche-Comté

Satellite photos reveal scale of recent wildfires in France

Before-and-after images show extent of damage

Water storage, pesticides: why France’s new farming bill is controversial

Emergency bill follows farmer protests at start of the year

Thick smoke and flames rise from a hillside fire with trees and power lines in the foreground.

Wildfire updates July 16: fires 'causing most strain since end of World War Two' on France

'Zero tolerance' for arsonists as arrests continue

Nice cruise ship tourism row continues as restrictions ease

Environmental groups warn of pollution and local businesses fear reduction in visitors and revenues

How micro-forests are cooling French cities and boosting biodiversity

Paris, Lille and Lyon are among the locations that are planting Miyawaki micro-forests

SNCF trials new technology in Normandy to prevent animal collisions

Collisions cause one in every 10 delays

Man in a reflective vest looking closely at a cardboard package with printed branding.

French company fights mosquitoes without spraying chemicals

Montpellier firm releases sterile insects to help cut numbers

French supermarkets accused of higher markups on organic fruit and vegetables

Report says bio shoppers pay more while farmers receive a smaller share

Narrow street with parked cars, motorbikes, and stone buildings under trees.

French cities split over ‘wild’ street greenery

Supporters say it teaches respect for biodiversity

French honey explained: why local honey varies by region and flower

Artisanal French honey is high quality and strictly controlled

Why France still has millions of nightingales while UK numbers fall

The rossignol returns in spring - here is where to listen for it

Where are there the most, and least, jellyfish in France?

Discover in which places you are most or least likely to see a jellyfish

French wildlife prospers from darker streets – but debate over public safety remains

Some areas are rethinking lighting changes introduced in 2022

Sewing machine repairs, toad rescue and crematorium heat recycling

Green news stories from around France

A view of a woman walking her dog on a lead in a forest

France forest walks – what to do and what to avoid

Authorities stress that access depends on responsible behaviour

French E-bike ‘van’ is eco answer for door-to-door deliveries

The Midipile, which can carry a 300kg load, is a hybrid of an electric bicycle and covered vehicle

New outbreak of electric ants in the south of France sparks concern

Invasive species may gain foothold if containment fails

Efforts underway to reduce giant catfish numbers in Dordogne and Gironde

The fish can grow to more than 2.5 metres in length and 100kg in weight

Waste management dominates local elections in Dordogne

Illegal dumping has become an issue to be addressed by candidates in Périgueux

Processionary caterpillars in France: how to protect your dog

The insects can be fatal to dogs if they lick or ingest them

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‘It’s becoming intolerable’: homeowners in France move north to escape the heat

Heatwaves becoming more regular and intense

More communes in France distribute Asian hornet traps

Residents are increasingly receiving help, with now the best time to capture the queens

A view of someone filling a glass of water from the tap

Drinking tap water restricted for children in south-west France communes

Haute Garonne prefecture says the measure is precautionary and due to high chlorate levels

France targets imports from South America over banned chemical concerns

Avocados, mangoes, and cherries among food items set to be tested before entry

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Environment and ecology: What's new in France in 2026

Changes include a ban on microplastics, the future of ZFE low-emission zones for drivers and new offshore wind farms

How to dispose of your Christmas tree in France in 2026

Dumping an old tree on the pavement, in a park or in woodland is illegal, and can result in a fine

A view of a woman plugging in an electric car

More than a quarter of new car registrations in France are electric

EV sales hit new record in November 2025

Veggie burgers and plant-based sausages: French farmers and consumers react to name ruling delay

The EU failed to reach final agreement to draft rules governing plant-based naming

Hydroelectric conversions boost demand for historic French watermills

Laws on restoring rivers mean many are now threatened with removal

A view of shelves of glass Perrier bottles

Millions of Perrier bottles blocked in south of France over bacteria concerns

Anomalies found at plant in Gard

More French cities clamp down on electric scooters

Enforcement of tougher controls proposed on the increasingly popular mode of transport

Law proposal: commercial flights banned at night in Toulouse

Initiative seeks to reduce local noise pollution

Lynx warnings appear on road signs in French Alps

Purpose is to reduce collisions with the endangered species

A view of a woman filling up a glass with tap water

French state sued over contaminated tap water

VCM contamination comes from PVC pipes installed in the 1970s and 1980s - with Dordogne the most affected department

Why hundreds of road signs across France have had flames added to them

Signs in at least two dozen departments have been targeted in recent days

La Poste offers drop-off points for used frying pans and saucepans

National recycling scheme organised in partnership kitchenware manufacturer

Historic Jacques Cousteau vessel to be restored by Florida non-profit

‘Cousteau showed the beauty of the ocean… now it’s our turn to protect it’

French mushrooms poisoned my friend - learn to be careful

Columnist Sue Adams gives advice on sourcing wild champignons

Map: How French groundwater levels are faring in November

Replenishing begins but remains below 2024 levels

Water restrictions extended in southern French department as drought continues

Pyrénées-Orientales remains in a state of drought as groundwater levels continue to fall

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Map: check the quality of your tap water in France

We explain how to use the free and interactive online tool

Electric bike success in Toulouse

The city has extended its self-service network to surrounding areas

Bin charges soar in many areas of France

One commune has seen fees rise by 90% in five years

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What you need to know when collecting rainwater in France

The rules are complex and depend on what you plan to do with it

Plan to recycle unused medicines in France could save €1.5 billion a year

Products returned to pharmacies to be repackaged then resold under health minister's plan

France set to require amateur sea fishers to declare key catches

Recreational fishers who go into set zones in a boat would need to register specific catches in bid to protect fish numbers

Man dies from hornet attack whilst gardening in north of France

The 54-year-old went into fatal anaphylactic shock following multiple stings - we explain what to do if you discover a nest near your home

A stag in a forest. Listen: ‘Stag bellowing’ season continues in French forests

Listen: Stag bellowing season to begin in French forests

Every year, nature-lovers gather to listen out for the sound and even compete to imitate it best. A 500-hour livestream is available of the bellowing season on TV this year

French hunting season 2025-2026 dates by department and species

Organised hunts are set locally and Sundays tend to be the busiest day

10% of France’s green energy wasted in first half of 2025

Problem attributed to the intermittent nature of solar and wind power

New climate school for Paris

First European school to offer a degree dedicated to the ecological transition

Toulouse recycles supercomputer heat to power its neighborhood

Project embraces a virtuous circular economy with sustainable energy use

Water filters not working well in France, says consumer report

Pollutants can still be traced in water samples after filtration

Revolutionary bottle-washing plant cuts carbon footprint of French wine

Eco in Pack leads the way in reusing wine bottles, cutting costs and emissions

The best fruit trees to plant in your French garden

Columnist Sue Adams outlines the perks of growing your own

France green news: cigarette recycling, water reserves and ski resort closure

A startup harvests cellulose from cigarette filters, quarries in Brittany are repurposed for water storage, and an Alpine village votes to shut its ski resort amid financial and climate pressures.