Green France: Cycling in Normandy and Wooden Ski Passes

Eco-tourism and green living in France is endlessly evolving – here we bring you the latest news and developments, from cycling in Normandy, to planting more hedgerows in the French countryside.

The benefits of a cycling break in France are manifold: it’s a healthy way to explore; you get up close and personal with natural beauty; you help the environment by eschewing car fumes and by choosing accommodation that supports sustainable and eco-friendly tourism. A great example is Normandy, where you can explore the stunning, and Alps-esque mountainous Suisse Normande (Norman Switzerland) area en vélo – simply, follow the Vélo Francette cycle route from ferry port Caen for about three hours (you can continue on to La Rochelle as your lungs, legs and inclination dictate). An unmissable photo op presents itself at the stunning Viaduc de Clécy above the Orne river, while for a great green overnighter head to Camping de la Rouvre.

Train-ing day

In a radical eco-friendly move by the French Football Federation (FFF), all of France’s national football teams, including the men’s and women’s Les Bleus, plus A-teams and junior squads, will take the train to matches being played less than three hours from Paris. SNCF will be required to provide security.

Life’s a beech

Alpine ski resort Les Gets has launched wooden ski passes – a first in French ski areas. The discreet, credit card sized pass, made of beech wood, has the same capabilities as a classic pass – it integrates an RFID (radio-frequency identification) chip and can be recharged online thanks to its WTP (Wireless Transaction Protocol) number.

Hedging their bets

The French government has pledged to boost the number of hedgerows in the country by 50,000 by the year 2030, bringing the total number to 800,000km. The Ministry of Agriculture’s 2024 budget plan has earmarked €110m for replanting programmes in a bid to halt soil erosion, boost biodiversity and provide shelter for animals.

From France Today Magazine