Environment

Glass bottle return scheme offering refunds launches in French supermarkets

Trial will run for 18 months in north and west France with customers seeing 10c or 20c deposit returned for bringing back empty glass items

What to do with your unused or expired medicine in France

French people are becoming more eco-friendly when disposing of medical tablets, capsules, creams, sprays and more

Officials allowed to enter private land in Dordogne to record local flora

Around 20 villages are affected. Agents may cross walls, fences and other barriers if necessary

news

French city to increase water price by 42% this summer to fight drought

It comes as the scheme was hailed a success in 2024, despite some resident criticism

New way to measure pesticide use in France angers green groups

Controversial formula will help French government achieve its target of reducing by half for 2030

When and where is wild camping forbidden in France?

The rules vary dependent upon set-up, length of stay, what is nearby etc

Glass bottle and jar deposit scheme returns in France with large-scale trial

Shoppers who return products will receive between 10c and 20c per item

Almost 60% of people in France concerned about 'water scarcity'

Levels of stress hydrique vary across different French regions and age ranges

Why you may now see a large black and blue bee in your French garden

No, it’s not a basic bumblebee in a snazzy new jacket…

How long to receive French renovation grants - and why it is getting longer

Protestors accuse the scheme of ‘malfunctioning’, but the managing authority disputes this

Three eco stories from across France

Electric cars creating jobs, artistic marine upcycling, and a geothermal heating initiative

Only one-in-five returns packaging in French bid to cut waste

The supermarket-led project is struggling with low return rates

Wild boar increasingly present in French communes: What to do if you see one

There has been a sharp rise in the number of boar in recent years

Alert launched in France over ticks - where are they commonly found?

Ticks can become active from early spring, researchers say, but not all areas are equally affected

Why microphones are installed in hundreds of trees across France

Researchers have set up devices in more than 100 forests across the country

Spring sees return of Asian hornets in France: Action to take now

The hornets are particularly damaging to bee populations

Chance to go owl-spotting in France this weekend

The ‘Nuits de la chouette’ are intended to help people spot the birds of prey and learn more about them

Extra aid for people buying an electric car in France

The aid applies to multiple vehicle manufacturers in France

National plan against tree-destroying insect in France

Millions of m3 are already affected

Driving speed limits lowered in Paris amid pollution spike

City sees fine-particle pollution exceed normal levels

Alerts over high pollution in Normandy and Paris

Health warnings are in place for vulnerable people

Is it legal to pick flowers in forests in France?

The rules depend on whether you are on private or public land, or if a species is protected

French village implements temporary road closures to protect frogs

The initiative aims to save up to 50 amphibians per night from being crushed

People with gardens urged to spot and report this common but dangerous pest via French ministry site

How to report sightings and avoid a reaction to pine and oak caterpillars

83 bears live in the Pyrenees show latest data - should we be scared of them?

Critics say bears threaten livestock but proponents call for better co-existence and advise what to do if you come across one

Action against mosquitoes already launched in several areas of France

The anti-larvae campaign starts earlier this year due to high humidity

Inquiry gives its support to Nice airport expansion, recommends environmental checks

The airport wants to increase capacity to over 18 million – currently around 14.5 million – and is constructing a 25,000m² extension to one of its terminals

Why pampas grass is forbidden in French gardens

There are sanctions for offences including introducing the plant into the wild or even owning one

Row after people in France told to save energy by washing clothes less

The advice to ‘wear the same T-shirt for four or five days’ did not wash well with everyone

Drought alerts raised in France: where is impacted?

A lack of rainfall means some water tables are at low levels, see any restrictions in your area

Wolf presence confirmed in Normandy: What to do if you see one

The confirmation comes after sheep attacks in Manche, Orne, Seine-Maritime, and Calvados

What is an eco-friendly way to get rid of old clothes in France?

Some items in a good state can be sold on dedicated websites

PHOTOS: Migrating cranes fill skies in south-west France

The majestic birds are already passing through the Dordogne on their way north

Plans for a new natural park in the south of France are taking shape

If approved, the park will cover 1,728 km2 and include the largest mimosa forest in Europe

VIDEO: First otter for nearly a century captured on Normandy camera

The sighting astounded researchers as ecological management encourages a resurgence of otter numbers in several French regions

Lyon building will be the first in France to achieve sustainable temperature control

Innovative design promises optimal temperatures year-round without traditional heating or cooling systems

What’s new in France in 2025 for environment and ecology

More wind farms, increased recycling options and eco-friendly heating grants are among major changes

Tanker overturns on rural Normandy road spilling thousands of litres of fuel

Tests are being carried out into risk of pollution of local water supplies to homes

Controversial new French motorway: Decision delayed on work suspension

The A69 between Toulouse and Castres has long been the subject of several court cases and protests

PHOTOS: The new French train that also runs on roads

It will take at least three years before these trains are implemented

French town battles rat problem with the help of ferrets

Neuilly-sur-Marne will be calling on the small weasels and dogs as an environmentally friendly means of avoiding using chemical products

Living off-grid in France: A couple’s 40-year plus success story

How an interest in growing food organically evolved into a fully self-sufficient lifestyle

New bill aims to outlaw use of small water bottles in France

Tens of millions of these little plastic bottles are sold in France every year

Controversial A69 motorway in doubt as court assesses environmental impact

A new call for cancellation of the environmental approval could halt the project

Small increase in notaire fees for property buyers expected in France

The fee is expected to generate revenue of €30 million a year to fight against coastal erosion

Farming couple must move, first people displaced in Normandy by climate change

The couple are the first in the region to be forcibly displaced by encroaching sea levels

Environmentalists condemn Paris-Toulouse train route preparations

Around 150 large trees were cut down as part of work on the highly controversial LGV service

Anger as another area of France decides to return to 90 km/h on many roads

The measure is ‘anti-environmental’ and would worsen road safety, a campaign group says

My life on the road in France living in a self-built tiny house

Geoffrey Celard, 30, explains why he prefers the simple life

When and why are French farmers threatening new national protests

Not all unions are in agreement with proposed action

Earn money for cleaning up in south of France - and get paid in new local currency

Monnaie Sauvage coins are made from recycled plastic and can be spent in businesses around Marseille

Bordeaux-Toulouse rail project: Prefecture bans weekend protests

Environmental protesters say the demonstrations against the high-speed train projects will still take place

Listen: Stag bellowing season underway in French forests

Every year, nature-lovers gather to listen out for the sound and even compete to imitate it best

Make frequent fliers pay more not less, French association says

Plane tickets should increase in price the more passengers travel, to shift the ‘climate penalty’ to those who ‘can afford it’, a new report states

Overdraft fees, pay, ecology: three French banks criticised in new report

Three major banks scored poorly on social and environmental factors including investing in tax havens and deforestation projects, and large staff pay gaps

Chemical anomalies found in French tap water in study

43% of samples in the study were found to contain PFAS ‘forever chemicals’

Floods, fires, and drought: ‘Shock’ France climate change report

The report warns that coastal cities could disappear and major cities could be uninhabitable in summer

Letters: Don’t forget that climate change hits French farmers too

Connexion reader highlights the uphill struggle against drought, flooding and varying temperatures

Nantes wins award for its work on biodiversity in city

The city was recognised in its category for initiatives including the ‘greening’ of tarmacked areas and environmental education in schools

Letters: We too have seen a huge drop in biodiversity in French countryside

Connexion reader says that the number of animals visiting her home has plummeted in recent years

Protest in France over detention of American-Canadian environmental activist Paul Watson

Japan has requested his expedition over a number of incidents

France boosts electric boat conversion budget

River authority doubles funding to electrify tourist boats, aiming for a greener future in the industry

Workers find 650 protected species bats in Dordogne church

The dark church eaves have become a nursery for the rare species

Dogs banned from French city water spaces after pet dies

The municipality of Lille issued the order after a dog was found to have died from blue-green algae poisoning

Bordeaux, Marseille, Nice, Brittany; Calls for ban on cruise ships grow in France

Ecologists say the massive ships are an ‘absurdity’ and argue their economic windfalls are overstated

Hundreds of eels wash up on Brittany beach: area closed off

Around 200 have been estimated to have washed up in the past two days alone

Endurance swimmer forced to end Mediterranean record attempt after 100km

He spent two days and two nights in the water without stopping

French national park hails success of introducing visitor quotas

One area restricted to a daily limit of just 400 people has seen particular success when it comes to flora and fauna recovery

1.5cm hole in leg: Teenager bitten by ‘violin’ spider in south of France

The spiders are not thought to be aggressive. We look at where they are in France and the possible complications of a bite

Comment: Recycling cannot solve plastic pollution problem alone

How one organisation is calling for less waste in a bid to fight pollution

Green power line attracts protests from French environmentalists

Row over high-voltage electricity line set to link green projects in Fos-sur-Mer

France way behind on reaching recycling targets, report shows

A 2012 target to recycle 75% of household packaging has still not been met

Our interview with the creator of France's summer stargazing extravaganza

Popular scientist and environmental lobbyist Hubert Reeves was a key public face of ecology in France. We spoke exclusively to him on a wide range of subjects, from astrophysics to airports, in 2018

Which are the most dangerous animals in France and where are they?

Hornets, ticks, snakes, fish…and sharks? Move over Australia, France has danger too…

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

Environment

Glass bottle return scheme offering refunds launches in French supermarkets

What to do with your unused or expired medicine in France

Officials allowed to enter private land in Dordogne to record local flora

French city to increase water price by 42% this summer to fight drought

Trending

Glass bottle return scheme offering refunds launches in French supermarkets

Good news for people flying to France as EU clarifies luggage rule change

Weekend of storms: French weather forecast June 14 - 15

Dog owners warned to look out for this plant in France to avoid pet injuries

Bonfire of the vineyards gathers pace in Bordeaux

American dies after falling during climb near Mont Blanc

Americans protest in Paris and Nice to oppose Trump ‘authoritarianism’ on Saturday

New way to measure pesticide use in France angers green groups

When and where is wild camping forbidden in France?

Glass bottle and jar deposit scheme returns in France with large-scale trial

Almost 60% of people in France concerned about 'water scarcity'

Why you may now see a large black and blue bee in your French garden

How long to receive French renovation grants - and why it is getting longer

Three eco stories from across France

Only one-in-five returns packaging in French bid to cut waste

Wild boar increasingly present in French communes: What to do if you see one

Alert launched in France over ticks - where are they commonly found?

Exemption from fees to register electric car to end across most of France from May

Boost for people doing home renovations in Dordogne

White storks make strong return in France via nest ‘platforms’ and clipped wings

Why microphones are installed in hundreds of trees across France

Drivers in France: Look out for this new road sign

Tefal launches nationwide pan collection scheme in French supermarkets

French law offers long-term protection for garden wildlife

Rules change for dog walking in France from April

Why meat is becoming less popular in France

Spring sees return of Asian hornets in France: Action to take now

Chance to go owl-spotting in France this weekend

Extra aid for people buying an electric car in France

National plan against tree-destroying insect in France

Driving speed limits lowered in Paris amid pollution spike

Alerts over high pollution in Normandy and Paris

Is it legal to pick flowers in forests in France?

French village implements temporary road closures to protect frogs

People with gardens urged to spot and report this common but dangerous pest via French ministry site

83 bears live in the Pyrenees show latest data - should we be scared of them?

Action against mosquitoes already launched in several areas of France

Inquiry gives its support to Nice airport expansion, recommends environmental checks

Why pampas grass is forbidden in French gardens

Row after people in France told to save energy by washing clothes less

Drought alerts raised in France: where is impacted?

Wolf presence confirmed in Normandy: What to do if you see one

What is an eco-friendly way to get rid of old clothes in France?

PHOTOS: Migrating cranes fill skies in south-west France

Plans for a new natural park in the south of France are taking shape

VIDEO: First otter for nearly a century captured on Normandy camera

Lyon building will be the first in France to achieve sustainable temperature control

What’s new in France in 2025 for environment and ecology

Tanker overturns on rural Normandy road spilling thousands of litres of fuel

Controversial new French motorway: Decision delayed on work suspension

PHOTOS: The new French train that also runs on roads

French town battles rat problem with the help of ferrets

Living off-grid in France: A couple’s 40-year plus success story

New bill aims to outlaw use of small water bottles in France

Controversial A69 motorway in doubt as court assesses environmental impact

Small increase in notaire fees for property buyers expected in France

Farming couple must move, first people displaced in Normandy by climate change

Environmentalists condemn Paris-Toulouse train route preparations

Anger as another area of France decides to return to 90 km/h on many roads

My life on the road in France living in a self-built tiny house

When and why are French farmers threatening new national protests

Earn money for cleaning up in south of France - and get paid in new local currency

Bordeaux-Toulouse rail project: Prefecture bans weekend protests

Listen: Stag bellowing season underway in French forests

Make frequent fliers pay more not less, French association says

Overdraft fees, pay, ecology: three French banks criticised in new report

Chemical anomalies found in French tap water in study

Floods, fires, and drought: ‘Shock’ France climate change report

Letters: Don’t forget that climate change hits French farmers too

Nantes wins award for its work on biodiversity in city

Letters: We too have seen a huge drop in biodiversity in French countryside

Protest in France over detention of American-Canadian environmental activist Paul Watson

France boosts electric boat conversion budget

Workers find 650 protected species bats in Dordogne church