Environment

Wasps, mosquitoes, hornets, ants: how to deal with summer insects in France

Natural repellents can keep some pests away

Ban on barbecues in Finistère in bid to limit wildfires

Restrictions in place in dozens of communes as authorities work to prevent repeat of 2022 blazes

Map: groundwater situation worsens in France, with 39% of levels already below normal

Water basins are seeing levels drop as summer heat continues

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Hydrogen project in Lorraine offers hope for cleaner transport

Underground hydrogen was discovered in the department in 2023

Revolutionary bottle-washing plant cuts carbon footprint of French wine

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

Why French gardeners prune and plant trees differently

Columnist Sue Adams reveals the role of history in France's relationship with its trees

Tourism hosts, French golf courses and ski resorts asked to reduce water consumption

25 industry players will receive government funding to reduce consumption

French state partially responsible for jogger’s death from green algae on Brittany beach

Green algae can be toxic and has also been linked to the deaths of several animals near to the beach

Sticker to appear on (almost) all new phones and tablets in France - this is what it means

The ‘eco’ energy label should help customers make informed purchases

Pollution alerts raised in France: how to check if your area is affected and what to do

High temperatures are contributing to the deterioration of air quality across the country

Red air pollution alerts raised in Brittany

Increasingly warm weather means air quality across the whole region will be ‘poor’ tomorrow (June 20)

What happens to France’s nuclear waste and where is new waste 'mega site' planned?

The majority of France’s radioactive waste poses little threat

Where could there be water shortages in France?

The majority of groundwater sources are seeing levels fall as summer begins

French land agency reduces €1m field sale to €15,000

Intervention of rural land management agency causes massive price reduction in Brittany

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

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

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

Applying for a carte grise will soon become more expensive

Boost for people doing home renovations in Dordogne

The plan aims to connect citizens with local public renovation services to modernise old housing stock

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

The Ligue pour la Protection des Oiseaux shares the conservation challenges in saving these birds from extinction

Why microphones are installed in hundreds of trees across France

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

Drivers in France: Look out for this new road sign

The sign aims to encourage more environmentally-friendly driving and road usage practices

Tefal launches nationwide pan collection scheme in French supermarkets

Shoppers can receive a discount voucher for recycling used cooking utensils - all brands accepted

French law offers long-term protection for garden wildlife

Owners in France can call on the law for help to ‘rewild’ their land. Here is how

Rules change for dog walking in France from April

Here is how to ensure you and your dog remain within the rules and avoid fines

Why meat is becoming less popular in France

A new poll shows the alternative proteins people are choosing, and why

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