Take a picnic beneath pink trees this spring as Paris turns Japanese We explore the rich tradition of Hanami and explores the ongoing ties between Japanese and French gardeners in the capital
Follow your nose on a scent-sational tour of France’s spring flowers Explore the national and regional floral specialities of France, and sniff out the best flower festivals and horticultural events taking place around the country this spring
Birdwatcher’s guide to France: Nature reserves, parks and trails Explore the country’s best landscapes for watching pink flamingos, birds of prey or even migrating birds, as well as information centres and exhibitions
news Booking system under review for Marseille’s Calanques national park If approved it would be a first in France with a possible limit of 400-600 people a day. The aim is to limit damage to plants and paths
Rendez-Vous Aux Jardins: Celebrate France’s gardens this weekend The annual event involves nearly 3,000 parks and gardens in France and around Europe and invites people to visit for art shows, discussions on nature and tours around private parks
How will France’s new lockdown be different from spring? Exemption forms for leaving the house are back, but there are other significant changes
French island beauty spot is victim of over-tourism Porquerolles in the Var (Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur) wants to reduce visitor numbers to 4,000 a day after becoming overrun by summer tourists.
Deconfinement in France: PM to outline second phase The French Prime Minister is to address the country this Thursday (May 28) to detail the second phase of deconfinement, including whether bars and restaurants will reopen, and if travel beyond 100km will be allowed.
'Urgent' call to open parks in France’s red zones French environmental association Respire has protested the government’s decision to keep parks and gardens closed in France’s "red zones", concentrated in Paris and the North East, calling the measure “completely counterproductive” to combatting coronavirus.
Deconfinement in France: What is allowed from May 11 The French government has published more information on what will and will not be permitted as deconfinement is gradually rolled out - including for travel, socialising, shopping, exercising and schools.
Deconfinement in France: What is reopening when? The French government has announced more details on the planned schedule for deconfinement, which is set to start on May 11 and continue to September - including when parks, beaches and cafés will reopen.
Meet the creator of France’s newest national park The Connexion speaks to Hervé Parmentier, director of the Public Interest Group that has spent the last five years setting up France’s newest National Park
French national parks may start charging entry fees Visitors to national parks in France may soon need to pay to enter, some specialists have said, in a “completely taboo” suggestion prompted by what some see as a lack of funding.
Changing face of France's national parks A national park veteran explains the past, present and future of France's protected natural wildnernesses There will be cafes at France's sculpture parks French national park claims €450k in first poach case France's 11th and newest national park opens
Best sites in France to watch the stars this weekend Astronomy experts have recommended seven sites across France from which skygazers should watch the annual “Night of Stars” event, which is set for this weekend (Friday August 2 to Sunday August 4). The 52 parks in Paris where smoking is banned French activists protest against dolphin captivity Cévennes Park second in France to get Dark Sky status Make sense of... France's national parks Naturist ‘naked’ space opens in Paris park
The Loire valley has France’s greenest cities Tours, Nantes and Angers triumphed in honours given out by Observatoire des Villes Vertes