Villes et Villages Fleuris

MONTBARD

CASTELJALOUX

SAINT-HONORÉ-LES-BAINS

BLACKCURRANT

VALENCIA

The town has held the “3 Flowers” designation for many years and has won several awards from Côte-d’Or Tourisme (thematic flower display in 2015, the “Young Gardeners’ Contest” in 2017, the “#EpiquesEpoques” Trophy in 2018), including the “Municipality of the Year” Trophy in 2016 for the successful transition from flower displays relying heavily on annuals to displays featuring more perennial plants and well-designed landscaping—we have never rested “on our laurels .” We wanted to embrace the label’s guidelines to enhance our landscape and, above all, to help foster a shift in attitudes through how our fellow citizens perceive public spaces.

It’s not always easy, and there’s still some resistance: “The sidewalk is full of weeds; it’s dirty…”; yet it is through action, dialogue, and determination that, step by step, we’re asserting our role in convincing people and gaining their support for these essential changes. Our efforts to inform and raise awareness continue, and municipal employees from the Quality of Life Department serve as direct and key points of contact for the public. Consequently, they must be actively involved so they are always better equipped to provide solutions.

The City of Buffon is implementing a variety of projects aimed not only at making these areas safer but also at enhancing their beauty and preserving their historical and natural heritage. In an effort to foster a broader discussion, the city council adopted, on June 27, the principle of joining and participating in the “Forêts de Notre Dame” project.

Vincent MAYOT, a landscape architect from Burgundy, launched the idea—taken up and expanded upon by Gilles CLEMENT, “the committed gardener” and professor at the École Nationale Supérieure du Paysage in Versailles—to set aside the footprint of Notre-Dame Cathedral for nature in each of France’s 36,000 municipalities. Under the project title “Forêts de Notre-Dame,” Vincent MAYOT mapped out the perimeter of the nave of Notre-Dame de Paris, which until April 15, 2019, was topped by a framework known as “la forêt” (the forest).

To mark the post-fire era—“this unique moment in our history”—the designer proposes letting nature and time do their work of regeneration, to create a biodiversity reservoir measuring 36,000 by 6,000 m², or a mosaic of 216 km² of primary forests, bearing witness to the Anthropocene. We have agreed to the principle of designating a forested area of approximately 6,000 m² as a biodiversity reserve. As one of the first municipalities in France—if not the first—to commit to this project, we see this as a symbolic yet concrete step that allows us to do our part.

Nestled between cultivated hillsides and the Landes Forest, Casteljaloux will charm you with its historical heritage and old streets. Casteljaloux is best known for its thermal baths and wellness facilities. Since 2002, the town has been home to a modern spa complex, “Les Bains de Casteljaloux,” where visitors can enjoy the water therapy area and treatments to recharge. Sports and recreation are everywhere here.

The city also hosts numerous events that showcase its Gascon identity: Landes-style bull runs, the “fête des bœufs gras” (festival of fattened oxen), carnival, and bandas. In short, whether you’re looking for a relaxed lifestyle or an adrenaline rush, there’s something for everyone.

An integral part of the Morvan Regional Nature Park, Saint-Honoré-les-Bains—where the first Roman baths were built in 52 BCE—is a vibrant resort town with a large, well-equipped spa facility. Saint-Honoré-les-Bains has preserved its villas, landscapes, and natural and cultural heritage intact.

A wide range of recreational activities (daily entertainment program, swimming pool, tennis, movie theater, etc.), outdoor activities (hiking, pétanque, etc.) and cultural excursions (Château de la Montagne, exploring the spa heritage, etc.) are available to anyone wishing to venture “off the beaten path” to enjoy a break away from the crowds and pollution and breathe in “to the fullest” the pure air and tranquility of the “Pearl of the Morvan.”

Nestled in a natural setting where pine forests, ochre- and white-colored rocks, and vineyards—both on the plains and on terraced slopes—stretch all the way to the Mediterranean Sea, Cassis is protected by two natural landmarks: Cap Canaille (Europe’s highest sea cliff), which glows red in mistral winds, and the white limestone Calanques.

As part of the Calanques National Park, the municipality manages and develops its spaces, drawing inspiration from this exceptional natural environment.

Proud of its fourth flower, the town of Cassis hopes to continue this initiative and build on it to make this unique region even more beautiful.

Cassis: A Way of Life!

As an emerging eco-city, Valence has chosen to develop in a way that meets the needs of current generations without compromising those of future generations. More than just a commitment, these are values and a sense of responsibility that the city upholds every day. Discover Valence at your own pace and according to your own interests. Stroll through the heart of the historic center or the pedestrian streets; treat yourself to a walk along the canals or in Jouvet Park, overlooked by the Champ-de-Mars promenade and its famous Peynet bandstand. Take the time to admire the sailboats at the Epervière marina and soak up the friendly atmosphere on market days…

Making the Quality of Life a Collective Commitment

For more than 65 years, the Villes et Villages Fleuris certification has supported and recognized communities committed to creating a more pleasant, sustainable, and attractive living environment.

It promotes a comprehensive approach to the living environment: the role of greenery in public spaces, the preservation of biodiversity and resources, the quality of urban design, the enhancement of cultural heritage, resident engagement, and the city’s appeal to tourists.

For residents and visitors alike, the label serves as a mark of quality. It highlights municipalities that are committed to protecting their environment, their landscapes, and the quality of their living spaces.

For local communities, it serves as a dynamic and practical tool—both a methodology and a catalyst for progress—and is designed for the long term. It supports a path of continuous improvement, from 1 to 4 Flowers, while highlighting the identity and unique characteristics of each region.

Supported by the National Council of Villes et Villages Fleuris driven by a network of nearly 2,000 local experts, the certification program now brings together more than 4,700 municipalities around a shared goal: to make the living environment a driving force behind environmental and regional transitions.