Published
Article written by
/2021/12/14/61b8b98e077d1_france-2.png)
The “blue flag” must guarantee quality water in clean and secure ports. In France, more than 500 beaches benefit from this very popular label. But its reliability is questioned by several mayors.
The blue flag has been flying for 37 years on French beaches. This label is presented as a guarantee of respect for the environment and attractiveness. But vacationers do not always know it. “Is it for the quality of the water? It’s very good but it’s not well known enough, well, I didn’t know about it”, concedes a vacationer. Water quality is in fact only one of the 60 criteria listed in the specifications.
Near Biarritz (Pyrenees-Atlantiques), Bidart obtained its flag two years ago. To have it, the mayor had to invest above all outside of water. “These are selective sorting baskets, it’s brand new. Before that, that was it, very simple baskets […]. Here we have four self-cleaning toilets, and a fifth outside which is accessible for people with reduced mobility., he explains. In total, he had to pay almost 33,000 euros. A salty bill, which he considers necessary to make himself known. “It’s a known label, and also known internationally.” On the other hand, water quality control is considered incomplete, since it does not take into account all marine pollution.
the news at 8 p.m.
Every day, receive your 8 p.m. news directly
Newsletter subscription
France Télévisions uses your email address to send you newsletters.
articles on the same topic
Seen from Europe
Franceinfo selects daily content from European public audiovisual media, members of Eurovision. These contents are published in English or French.