The 14 eco-friendly destinations in France

Discover the best eco-responsible destinations in France to reconcile holidays and preservation of the planet.

Travelling is good. Traveling green is even better! Our team has selected some of the most committed French destinations to defend their ecosystem. They are labeled, recognized for their efforts in terms of pollution, CO2 emissions, waste reduction or clean infrastructure, and are ideal for environmentally friendly holidays. Mountains, seas, cities, routes: choose what you like among the best eco-friendly destinations in France.

1. The Central Massif

The Central Massif occupies 85,000 km2 in the heart of the hexagonal territory. It is not less than 15% of the country’s total area. Dude Morvan at Haut-Languedoc passing through Grand Causses , Auvergne volcanoes , Cevennes or Pilat , it has many natural parks involved in the European Charter of Sustainable Tourism.

It brings together dozens of tourism providers working to defend this sublime environment. Explore this eco-friendly destination in France is just as pleasant in winter as summer. There is no season to take care of the planet!

2. The city ofAngers

In 2020, the Observatory of the Green Cities published its ranking of the most clean cities in France. Valid for 3 years, it takes into account the preservation of urban plant heritage. Angers, in Maine-et-Loire, ranks first by devoting the most important budget to green spaces. It is also in the Angevine metropolis that Terra Botanica, the first European park dedicated to the plant world.

It has been launched since 1999 in the "Environmental and Sustainable Town Angers" project, and is implementing coherent initiatives: low-consumption lamps, waste sorting, pollutant emissions... In addition, Angers is working on an ISO 20121 certification labeled "International Responsible Destination".

3. The department of Doubs

The department of Doubs, the Green Territory, unsurprisingly integrates our ranking of the best eco-friendly destinations in France. Its flagship tourist sites offer visitors the opportunity to spend a clean holiday: Saline Royale d’Arc-et-Senans, resort “four seasons” of Métabief, the Eurovéloroute Nantes-Budapest of the Doubs valley between Montbéliard and Besançon , activities of full nature...

The development of the Departmental Plan for Spaces, Sites and Itineraries (PDESI) allows you to take advantage of environmentally friendly outdoor activities. The Department is implementing in partnership with local entertainment actors at the Sensible Natural Spaces (ENS) network. Very well preserved and protected, the department is an example to follow... and to discover during a next stay.

4. The Loire Valley

The Loire is more than 1,000 kilometers, making it the longest river in France. It is the paradise of cyclists and heritage lovers: there are famous ones castles of the Loire . The region Centre-Val de Loire also houses natural treasures and an exceptional varied ecosystem.

Fields, but also lakes, forests, ponds, landes and peatlands make up a mosaic of fabulous landscapes. Natural areas are home to a fauna and flora that can be found preferably on foot or by bicycle. Between Beauce, Sologne and Brenne , the region has two regional natural parks: to you to come and explore them.

5. Station Morzine-Avoriaz

Located in Haute-Savoie , the Morzine-Avoriaz station has since 2021 part of the 12 French altitude stations labeled “ Green Flocon " With its environmental impact, this eco-responsible destination in France has been 100% pedestrian since its creation in 1966.

Partner of a famous carpooling company, it hosts 4 electric car charging stations. Free shuttles allow you to easily cross the domain. In addition, let us note the tremendous landscape integration of its wooden buildings, in line with the wishes of the original architects. Their orientation makes it possible to optimize the energy consumption of this sustainable mountain station. An example to follow so many areas of altitude are impacted by global warming.

6. Strasbourg

With about 600 kilometers of bike-reserving trails, Strasbourg is recognized as the most cycling city in France and the fourth in Europe. A pioneer in clean travel, the Alsatian metropolis is part of modernity by developing a tram network. Its six lines improve the attractiveness of the city centre by serving it from one end to another.

Capital of biodiversity in 2014, Strasbourg was ranked third green city of France by the Green Cities Observatory in 2017, behind Angers and Nantes . The efforts of the municipality to encourage responsible behaviours are felt in the management of public lighting. A bright way to take care of the planet.

7. The Canal du Midi

The Canal du Midi has been a national pride since its inauguration in 1681. Since then, water has flowed under the bridges since it was registered at UNESCO World Heritage in 1996. One Green Path 250 kilometers along Toulouse to Sète .

The cyclists take advantage of this shaded route punctuated with cathar castles to cross charming medieval villages and vineyards. Pleasure navigation is not the same as it can be navigated by boat (electric preferably). This high place of slow-tourism is of course uncontourable among the eco-friendly destinations in France.

8. The Regional Natural Park of Luberon

Created in 1977 and distributed to departments Vaucluse and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence , the Regional Natural Park of Luberon has been classified as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO since 1997. It includes authentic treasures of French natural heritage.

Conjugating territorial development, discovery and preservation of nature, it offers many tourist activities. Tourism, wine tourism, geo-tourism: from the ecotourism multifaceted! From Saignon's fingerprinted slab to the Thomassine Park, to Rustrel's mythical "Provencal Colorado", visitors take the mirettes. Many initiatives highlight this prodigious natural site while reducing the associated ecological footprint. Low hat.

9. Corse East

An eco-living on Beauty Island? What a good idea! The Ecotourism Oriental Corsica network consists of 35 municipalities within a historical agricultural region. It values a complete tourist offer: eco-hosting, local food production, animations and shops, activities of full nature... Everything here is done to encourage slow-tourism in Corsica.

The communities concerned have a responsible purchasing policy, optimize the management of their wastes, the economy of natural resources and the overall energy consumption. A common charter of eight criteria commits stakeholders to transparency in their own environmental impact. In view of the majesty of this territory, it is of course very appreciable.

10. Chamonix-Mont-Blanc

The association Mont-Blanc Ecotourisme was founded by tourist offices Megève and Chamonix December 2007. It promotes the reduction of emissions, summer ecological animations and collective awareness.

Moreover, the Chamonix-Mont-Blanc valley is the first mountain territory to adopt a Plan Climat Energie Territorial (PCET). Concerned about the removal of the surrounding glaciers, it is quite naturally that it chose this voluntary approach. Hosts, ski schools, assistants and mountain guides, service providers and traders are actively involved in developing responsible tourism in the Pays du Mont Blanc.

11. Calanques National Park

The Calanques National Park was created in 2012. He is now a member of the project DestiMED comprising 13 marine or coastal protected areas. The goal? Develop the Mediterranean ecotourism. The park is spread over the communes of Marseille , La Ciotat and Cassis .

With 50,000 hectares of mirific landscapes, it ensures an effective partnership with tourism actors. Restaurants, hosts and producers participate in the protection of this eco-responsible destination in France. We will enjoy the outdoor activities offered like hiking, kayaking, scuba diving, all-terrain cycling... Local tourist offices and competent authorities (environmental police) ensure respect for this majestic territory.

12. L’echameau du Claux

The Claux Ecohameau is an innovative project to reproduce urgently. Driven by ten families of Lodévois, in the department of Hérault , it follows an idea of the town hall of Olmet-et-Villecun. It wanted to develop a prototype of carbon neutral eco-village that is environmentally friendly.

If the hamlet can no longer accommodate new families, the inhabitants organize visits to this habitat. Playful animations and eco-construction training are offered to visitors. They will be able to exchange with the inhabitants on the advantages of this type of place that is just as much. What may result in the reproduction of this virtuous initiative?

13. The Parc Naturel Régional du Gâtinais français

The Parc Naturel Régional du Gâtinais French counts 69 communes out of 76,600 hectares. Located southeast of Île-de-France, which has been classified since 1999, it responds to the desire of the General Councils of Essonne and Seine-et-Marne to create a clean space in the south of one of the most polluted regions of Europe.

In addition to outdoor activities, we appreciate the willingness of tourism providers to highlight this fabulous site. From Milly-la-Forêt to the Château de Courances, the "country of the thousand clears and sandstones" clearly deserves it.

14. The Veldyssey

The Bicycledyssey is a bike path that crosses the Brittany along the Atlantic to the Basque Coast. It consists of about forty green routes and routes for more than 1,200 km of route along the Atlantic.

Between Roscoff and Hendaye, almost 70% of the journey takes place without crossing the least car. Throughout your journey, you can lend yourself to swimming and tasting seafood. Unique heritage sites and hundreds of green accommodation tend to your arms. Better: the itinerary is particularly well served by rail. Leave the car in the garage for a vacation, it’s also a responsible travel!