Comment: The Paris Olympics are bad for planet and we must scale down Columnist Nick Inman says that the event 100 years ago was more in tune with modern environmental concerns
French inventors convert food waste into biodegradable plastic Former university friends develop a sustainable alternative packaging and secure millions to help their firm grow
‘We will continue’: Up to 10,000 at mega-reservoir protest in France Some clashes broke out but activists are hailing the movement a ‘success’. It comes as emerging science states that the reservoirs are a ‘maladaptive’ solution to climate change
news French watchdog publishes map of beaches where swimmers risk illness Find your nearest beach: the interactive map lets you search and zoom in, and shows a colour-coded legend of whether to avoid a beach or not
What to expect from this weekend’s ‘mega-reservoir’ protests in France See what protests are planned and where, and why authorities are on such high alert
French eco-firm has chance to win €50 million prize from Elon Musk NetZero is one of 20 global firms competing for a major environmental award for transforming agricultural waste into biochar
France wrestles with its fly-tipping, littering and plastics problem 'Businesses like to blame individuals, while individuals refuse to make the effort if businesses are polluting on such a large scale', says association
Protesters stop cruise ship from accessing Brittany port of Finistère ‘We think cruise ships are an ecological absurdity and a symbol of social inequality’, said protesters
French Mediterranean water is cleaner than it has been for 40 years Better wastewater treatment and stricter laws have improved biodiversity, study says
VIDEO: Curious Dordogne river well back after rainiest May since 1981 The mesmerising ‘well’ is still somewhat of a mystery
Why household water bills are set to soar in France Costs could rise by as much as 50% over the next five to 10 years, say water firms. There could also be a crackdown on people with wells and boreholes
Hunters threaten ‘to strike’ and stop boar hunts in south-west France They claim a reinstated ban on the use of nets and cages to catch birds is an attack on rural traditions
May 2024 MAP: Where are water restrictions in place in France? One department is on crisis level and three others have areas on high alert
Take part in France's garden bird-counting weekend Home owners are being urged to count and identify birds in their garden for an hour at the end of May to help protect avian wildlife in France These plants are endangered in France and should not be picked Thousands march against new motorway project in south-west France MAP: where are France’s nuclear reactors and what is planned for more?
‘Climate change should interest more people than it does’ France’s go-to expert on global warming and bestselling author, Jean-Marc Jancovici, talks to us about the future of our planet Gold prospecting firm to target four communes in Brittany French court removes approval for new road - a year after it is built Strong public support for new TGV lines in south-west France Coastal erosion: Hundreds of French homes risk becoming uninhabitable Brown bear numbers in France rise for first time in 30 years
Grass cuttings are no longer accepted at some public tips in France Increasing numbers of public déchetteries are asking you to take care of your cuttings at home
‘Highly damaging’ fruit-eating fly at risk of spreading in France Damage could range from 20-100% of harvests, experts have warned
French hotels charge less if guests take shorter showers The ‘water saving’ option enables guests to limit their water usage and save resources
‘Ponds in rural France are beautifully maintained but no longer used’ Columnist Peter Wyeth laments that these large, impressive sites, once the fresh-aired setting for family picnics, barbecues and fun, now fail to attract people
Tiger mosquitoes now in Normandy, last region of France to escape them The tiny insects were first detected in France in 2004
PHOTOS: Study shows greenest and healthiest places in live in France The number of green spaces was a major criteria considered in new health ranking which also looked at healthy food shops, bathing areas and hiking trails
PHOTOS: High tides make Mont Saint-Michel an island again The phenomenon only happens for a few days each year
Be aware of caterpillars when walking your dog in France Certain caterpillars can cause necrosis of the tongue in dogs and are appearing earlier each year
EU vote could allow 60 tonne mega trucks on French roads Supporters say it will help reduce CO2 emissions. If passed adaptations would need to be made including to French roundabouts
France extends bike aid scheme and adds second-hand bikes France’s help-to-buy bike bonus aims to encourage people to travel in a more environmentally friendly way
Two friends to hike across Corsica picking up cigarette butts The adventurers aim to walk 450 kilometres removing litter, visiting schools, meeting people - and probably washing up a few dishes as they will be without a budget
Wave power generators ride out storms in trials off French coast The prototype cylinders that harness energy from the sea’s rocking motion have passed an important test
Watchdog takes action over banned treatment of French mineral water “Nobody, not even a multinational like Nestlé, is above the law,” it says
Processionary caterpillars in French forest blamed for sick dogs A woman who walked her pets in a tree-covered area had to rush them to the vet
Resident and environmental fears after French lithium warehouse fire The fire has now been contained but residents and environmental campaigners have condemned the situation as ‘very severe’
Pollen allergies: most of France on highest alert Pollen from cypress, ash, hazel, alder, and mimosa is causing severe risk across most of the country
SEE: 3 French beaches named among most beautiful in world A guide to the top 100 includes the coasts of Corsica, Brittany, and Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur
Greta Thunberg at protest against new motorway in south-west France The Swedish activist called the project ‘absolute madness’
Glass bottle return system returns to Paris supermarkets Leclerc and Système U have opened new glass deposit machines this week
Map: South of France on highest alert for pollen allergies Eight departments are on red alert due to the unseasonably warm weather
Bordeaux to enforce rules on noise and anti-social behaviour A new team will show that ‘living here requires a minimum of civic-mindedness’, the mayor says
Family house in France must be demolished despite planning permission The owners say the issue has cost them €400,000
SUV drivers set to pay much more to park in Paris The Mairie is set to vote on the issue next month, following similar rules in Lyon and Bordeaux
France’s most beautiful trees revealed - is one near you? Three trees were chosen as winners with one going ahead to represent France in the European contest this February
Drinking water in towns near Lyon polluted above permitted levels The water serves 166,000 residents in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Moves to bring hedgerows back to the French countryside The senator behind the regeneration campaign tells us how the €110m funding pot could work for farmers and the planet
Compostable wine bottle cork to be made at French factory The biodegradable cork is formed using plant-based glue that will breakdown naturally with other green waste
Green news France: Dordogne recycling, sailboats to ship Channel cargo We also look at low-carbon parcel delivery in Nice and environmental opposition to hosting the 2030 Winter Olympics
Processionary caterpillars already spotted this year in France The insects - which have highly-irritating, toxic hairs - typically only emerge in warmer months
Moving letter from daughter to late father in US washes up in Gironde ‘You are my legend’: The letter - well-sealed in a glass bottle - allowed the finder to trace the writer, 6,000 km away
Wastewater in sea blamed for oyster ban in France The industry has called for compensation after the suspension of sales, which will cost oyster farmers ‘millions of euros’, said a representative
Permit granted for sustainable ‘white’ hydrogen search at French site France is thought to have some of the world’s largest reserves of the gas dubbed ‘the energy of the future’ by President Macron
Zero-waste workshops teach French towns to save money and the planet Families reduced their household waste by 58% after using skills picked up at the events
Scheme to rent electric car for €100-a-month launches in France We look at the government's social leasing scheme, explain who it is for, and how to apply
Compost, scratchcard ‘scam’, toy eco-rating: green news in France The government has been accused of greenwashing gambling with its biodiversity lottery and a Strasbourg charity is collecting food waste by bike
Noise, bird deaths: Windfarm ordered to close for first time in France Campaign groups successfully argued that the turbines were causing harm to birds and residents
Why the price of home solar panels is dropping fast in France Many Chinese-made panels are being sold at little more than half price of a year ago
Citroen, Peugeot, Opel: cars recalled over high emissions in France Owners are told to contact their dealership
€1bn plan announced to safeguard under-threat biodiversity in France The initiative includes the planting of a billion trees and the establishment of more protected areas. Environmental groups say it is not enough
Most homes in France not ready to separate food waste come January 1 The law comes into force in the new year but most residents and local councils do not yet have the equipment or services to comply
French minister calls new 10-year glyphosate authorisation ‘stupidity’ He called the EU’s decision ‘an environmental step backwards’
U-turn on strict environmental rules for holiday chalets in France A building firm has won a legal battle to drop costly green regulations for small holiday bungalows
Couple who built a straw bale house in France share their one regret The Britons have reduced their annual energy bills to €500 by living off-grid and want to pass on the lessons they have learnt
French solar panel system that doubles as crop shade bought by Total The oil and gas giant bought the company set up by a father and daughter team for an undisclosed amount
Reed bed sewage system can replace a septic tank in your French garden The plants’ roots and bacteria naturally treat household sewage without the need for pumps or regular emptying
Green news France: €110m for hedgerows, marine protection for Nice The government will also create a specialist team to dismantle and prevent environmental protest camps
Bid to stop marmot hunting in France fails Six environmental associations denounced the hunting as ‘scandalous’ but the court did not rule in their favour
LIST: See what state aid is available to repair home goods in France Changes to the scheme on January 1 will increase the amount available and extend the list of eligible items
Explainer: What is a ZAD land zone and where are they in France? We look at France’s ‘Zones à défendre’ environmental protest sites (present and past) and their aims
Protestors removed from A69 motorway project site in south-west France Police removed environmentalists before they could set up an ‘occupation zone’
Farmers boost France’s gas independence with small methane plant A methane plant near Poitiers produces enough gas from farmers’ cover crops to run most of the city’s bus fleet
France lags behind on wind farm installations, official report warns It now risks fines for being the only country in Europe to miss its European renewable energy targets
Reusing household water to flush toilets may get green light in France A new law is expected to relax rules on greywater use as government tries to combat effects of drought
Controversial new motorway project resumes in southwest France The transport minister said the majority of local ministers are still in favour of the project, despite significant protests from environmental campaigners
Aid announced for people to buy radiator thermostats in France The aid will cover up to 80% of the installation costs and comes as part of a raft of new energy- and fuel-saving measures
Trial to grow oilseed for green aviation fuel on French farm The camelina crop was used in cosmetics but could be used to power planes if tests are successful
Doorstep milk deliveries now available in 17 French cities A growing start-up is trying to help consumers break their single-use plastic bottle habit
Boy, 16, compensated in France after mother’s exposure to glyphosate It is the first official acknowledgment of a link between the pesticide and prenatal damage
Cruise passengers booed by environmentalists on arrival in Brittany Placards read ‘go home’ and ‘you are not welcome’ in the latest movement against cruise ships on the coasts of France
Trees in France bloom like in spring as weather disrupts nature cycles Ecosystems, already fragile from previous temperature anomalies, are not following seasonal patterns, impacting their survival