Green France: Ecological Corridors and Bio Buses

Eco-tourism and green living in France is endlessly evolving – here we bring you the latest news and tourism developments from Nantes to Gers. 

Nantes Shows the Green Way

The Loire-Atlantique city of Nantes continues to show its considerable green credentials with a new pair of ecologically-driven initiatives. The city’s 145m-long Anne-de-Bretagne bridge will be tripled in width to an average of 50m, and become a shared, peaceful “square” spanning the Loire, with priority for pedestrians and cyclists. Extensive planting will create an “ecological corridor” between the two river banks. Meanwhile Nantes start-up Berny (founders, left) supplies 13 local supermarkets with 30,000 stainless steel trays, replacing plastic ones used to package meat and fish. Consumers pay a small deposit to use them, refunded upon return

The Water Way

Since its reopening last April following a major renovation – with all work entirely guided by a commitment to eco-responsibility – the Relais Thalasso Île de Ré aims to become the first eco-responsible thalasso in France. It plans on making 35% energy savings by using local and renewable energy for its thalassotherapy machinery.

In Brief

AD LIGHTS OUT

From December 1, operators of illuminated billboards in Paris will have to turn off the lights between 11.45pm and 6am. The city council’s move came after an initiative launched by elected ecologists. Morris columns, backlit press kiosks and bus shelters will be switched off from 1am to 6am.

NON-STOP BIO BUS

In September, Flixbus launched a daily nighttime service between Brest and Grenoble using coaches running on biofuel. The fact that it does not need to stop to refuel makes it a world first for such a distance. The two double-decker Volvo Bus 9700 coaches run for more than 1,150 km in total, on Oleo100 biofuel derived from rapeseed by French firm Saipol.

HAVE SOME BOTTLE

In a measure aimed at reducing its climate footprint, the Hôtel Restaurant-Séminaires Solenca in Nogaro, Gers, uses a water fountain to filter tap water and obtain still or sparkling water in glass bottles. “This avoids consuming mineral water that travels up to 900km from its place of production,” said the hotel’s boss Gérard Ducès.

From France Today magazine