How does theVilles et Villages Fleuris
Villes et Villages Fleuris certification program forVilles et Villages Fleuris workVilles et Villages Fleuris
1. Join the label
Municipalities register with their departmental contact, who assists them until they receive their first flower.
2.Growing within the label
Regional coordinators support municipalities throughout the process and award the first three flowers
3. Excel in the certification program
The CNVVF awards and renews the 4th Flower certification and presents the National Awards, recognizing the most exemplary initiatives.
What are the criteria for the “
” certification Villes et Villages Fleuris
The Regional Development Plan at the Heart of the Evaluation
The Villes et Villages Fleuris certification Villes et Villages Fleuris the quality, consistency, implementation, and management of a municipal project led jointly by elected officials and technical staff.
Each municipality is evaluated within its own context, taking into account its identity, size, unique characteristics, and resources. The label highlights a commitment to improving the overall quality of life and supports a path of progress.
How are municipalities evaluated?
The Assessment Grid: A Common National Standard
Comprising 68 specific criteria, the evaluation grid serves as a common national framework for all participating municipalities, from the 1st to the 4th Flower.
It ensures a consistent, progressive, and objective evaluation based on different assessment levels: nonexistent, initiated, achieved, and consolidated.
It thus allows for the municipality to be positioned along its certification journey and for its level of recognition to be determined.
The jury’s evaluation is based on various complementary areas that make up public policies related to the living environment:
- The City's Vision and Strategy
- The Role of Plants and Landscape Quality
- Environmental Management and Resource Conservation
- The quality of public spaces and facilities
- Community Engagement, Participation, and Promotion of the Region
The jury's visit: a time for discussion
The site visit is a key moment. Above all, it is an opportunity to meet and exchange ideas.
In advance, the jury members review the information provided by the municipality—including its strategy, ongoing projects, and chosen priorities—so they can approach the visit with a detailed understanding of the area and its unique characteristics.
On site, elected officials, technical teams, and partners present their approach, share their decisions, and explain their constraints and ambitions. The site visit then becomes an opportunity for open and constructive dialogue.
Beyond simply observing the developments, the jury focuses on understanding the project’s coherence, its implementation and long-term management, as well as how it is collectively supported. It examines the momentum generated, the involvement of local stakeholders, and how the initiatives fit into a comprehensive approach to the living environment.
Composed of professionals with complementary expertise, the jury members compare their perspectives before making any decisions. Discussions are collegial, well-reasoned, and conducted in a spirit of objectivity and fairness.
The jury
Municipalities are evaluated every 3 years
By a regional jury for 1- to 3-flower ratings
By a national jury for 4-flower ratings, the Golden Flower, and special awards. Each year, the jury visits about 100 municipalities from April through July.
Typically composed of four experts:
elected officials and local government staff, professionals in landscaping, horticulture, urban planning, tourism, and related fields…
Caring and a skilled educator, he plays a truly
supportive and advisory role
The Report: A Tool for Progress
Following the visit, a detailed report is sent to the municipality.
This document presents the jury’s analysis. It highlights the area’s strengths, emphasizes key initiatives, and identifies areas for improvement.
More than just a summary, the report serves as a practical working tool.
It allows elected officials and technical staff to take a step back, assess the progress made, and define the next steps.
In keeping with the spirit of the certification, it is fully aligned with a path of continuous improvement.
The recognition received—ranging from 1 to 4 Flowers—marks a milestone in the evolution of the regional project and opens up new opportunities.
“Every visit is an opportunity to discover a region committed to progress and teams that are fully engaged. Our role is to highlight these initiatives and their achievements, as well as to provide an outside perspective that helps them go even further. The complementary expertise of each jury member fosters a cross-functional perspective that supports the momentum already underway and opens up new possibilities for the regional development project.”
Karine Tramier, Member of the Jury for the National Council of Villes et Villages Fleuris
Why join the “
”Villes et Villages Fleuris programVilles et Villages Fleuris
Membership helps preserve the label’s independence and fund initiatives that serve local communities, such as support services, training, network coordination, and promoting municipalities.
It allows you to:
Join the national Villes et Villages Fleuris network- Participate in the governance of the CNVVF, particularly in its General Assembly
- Contribute to the label's development and its direction
Receive structured support
- A Lead Facilitator
- A detailed report following the jury's visits
- Access to the evaluation grid and the Guide for Municipalities
- On-site assessments and consulting visits
Using and Promoting the Brand
- The right to use the name Villes et Villages Fleuris and its visual identity (logo, sign), which are protected by the INPI
- Access to the official sign's graphic guidelines
- Dedicated communication tools (kit, materials, content)
- A presence on the label's website and social media platforms
A Fair and Reasonable Dues Payment
The annual membership fee is proportional to the size of the municipality and independent of the certification level (starting at €50). It ensures equity among regions and enables the certification program to continue its mission of providing support, conducting evaluations, and promoting the program over the long term.