Located just outside Paris, Bourg-la-Reine is a town where respect for nature and biodiversity is essential.

A "Ville Fleurie" since 1999, the town now holds the "3 Fleurs" designation.

Green Spaces

Perfect for relaxation and walks, the city’s 4.5 hectares of green spaces offer a bucolic and restful setting for residents and visitors alike who wish to recharge, observe nature, or simply take a stroll.

The municipality is also taking action to promote biodiversity. After achieving the national “zero pesticides” goal in public spaces in 2013, it has now been recognized as a “Healthy Land, Pesticide-Free Municipality” by the Ministry of Ecological and Solidarity Transition. Numerous concrete initiatives support this effort, including birdhouses, beehives, aquaponics, and more.

Non-motorized transportation

The city also supports the development of sustainable modes of transportation.

Bicycles: expansion of bike lanes, installation of two Vélib stations, installation of signage, subsidies for the purchase of electric bicycles, and regular organization of bike repair workshops and urban outings on rollerblades or bicycles.

Electric cars: Charging stations have been installed in the town, and specific parking spaces are reserved for these vehicles.

Digital

The town’s commitment also extends to the digital realm. Bourg-la-Reine has earned three “@” symbols under the Ville Internet label, including the green “@,” which symbolizes the “Ecological Transition” special distinction awarded to digital initiatives aimed at reducing the environmental footprint.

With a population of 9,426, Valréas is the central town of the Enclave des Papes, which has historically been an enclave within the Drôme department since the popes acquired the town in 1317.

The historic town of Valréas is built on a natural high point overlooking the vast plain of the Coronne, the region’s main river. The variety of its landscapes—from the wine-growing plain to the high, wooded hillsides—means that its elevation ranges from 158 to 530 meters.

The rotation with other crops—such as lavandin, olive trees, and truffle groves—along with the presence of numerous wooded areas and hedgerows, adds a welcome touch of variety to this predominantly vinicultural landscape.

Another characteristic of the region is an extensive network of small streams and ditches known as “riailles.”

From a cultural perspective, Valréas is fortunate to have a rich and varied heritage, featuring buildings designated as historic monuments—such as Simiane Castle, the Chapel of the White Penitents, the Ripert Tower, the Church of Notre Dame de Nazareth, as well as smaller landmarks such as the mill and the chapel at Pied Vaurias, numerous statues on the facades of private buildings, and the crosses marking the town’s main entrances.

Valréas’s economic history reached a major turning point in the 19th century. Linked to sericulture, the cardboard industry began around 1840 with the manufacture of cardboard boxes used to export “silkworm eggs,” evolving by the end of the century into a full-fledged cardboard industry dedicated to the production of packaging. At the same time, the printing industry developed to accommodate printing on cardboard. The town of Valréas became France’s largest center for cardboard manufacturing, achieving worldwide renown by the early 20th century. At that time, 1,000 people were employed in the cardboard industry.

This industry is gradually losing market share due to intensified competition and the onset of globalization. Today, there remains one company employing 140 people in the production of pharmaceutical packaging.

The history of bookbinding is chronicled at the Museum of Bookbinding and Printing, which was established by the Vaucluse Department and is strongly supported by local elected officials.

A municipality with 63,000 residents, bordering Paris’s 19th arrondissement, located in the Seine-Saint-Denis department, and part of the Est Ensemble region, Pantin has become a symbol of Greater Paris—dynamic and increasingly attractive. The city lies on a plain crossed by departmental roads (RD 932, RD 933, RD 27, RD 115), the Paris–Strasbourg railway line, and the Ourcq Canal, whose banks attract an ever-growing number of walkers and athletes every day. A marina is set to open there soon.

Building on its rich cultural and industrial heritage, the city is continuing its urban transformation by balancing quality of life with the ecological transition. Nature nature in the city plays a vital role in this strategy. Pantin boasts nearly 30 hectares of green spaces divided among parks, public squares, community gardens, school grounds, and grassy areas, in addition to more than 5,000 trees, two urban forests, and 3 hectares of shrubs. These spaces serve not only as places to relax and socialize but also as genuine ecological infrastructure.

With its rich industrial heritage and social diversity, Pantin is a city where the importance of living together harmoniously and the quality of public spaces truly come to life. Recent and upcoming development projects—such as the Port ZAC or the future Grand Quatre-Chemins Eco-Neighborhood—concretely reflect this ambition. They systematically incorporate greening of public spacesand the promotion of sustainable transportation , and the creation of cooling islands. Finally, through its Territorial Climate, Air, and Energy Plan (PCAET), Pantin reaffirms its commitment: to develop a greener, more inclusive, and more resilient city, where green spaces fully contribute to community well-being and the area’s appeal.

History:

• Villes et villages fleuris In 2023, the city of Pantin was awarded a third flower in the National villes et villages fleuris Competition.
• Écojardin Certification: In 2025, 54 sites in Pantin received the Écojardin certification
• National Tree Award: After becoming the first city to receive the “Arbres d’Avenir” certification in 2025, the city of Pantin has been awarded the National Tree Award

As the second-largest city in the department and the true gateway to the Baie de Somme, located in the heart of the Baie de Somme–Picardie Maritime Regional Nature Park, Abbeville boasts a rich history, a cultural and architectural heritage of great value, and exceptional natural areas.

The city is a member of the Hauts-de-France Parks and Gardens Association, thanks to three of its parks: Emonville Park, the Carmel Gardens, and Bouvaque Park. In addition, Abbeville has held RAMSAR City status since 2025, which recognizes its efforts to preserve its wetlands.

Abbeville enjoys an exceptional living environment, and its floral displays play a major role in beautifying the city. Throughout the year, the City is committed to making its territory a sustainable space where built-up areas and green spaces coexist in harmony, much to the delight of Abbeville residents and tourists alike.