Several Normandy communities have earned their eco stripes and were named Green Destinations in 2023 and 2024. The international award celebrates sustainable tourism practices in towns and villages around the world. Let’s find out more about a label supporting tourism that’s better for people, nature and the environment!
Green Destinations, a sustainable global organisation
The international award is given out by its namesake charity to assess and accredit tourist destinations based on sustainability criteria, on behalf of the World Tourism Organisation. Green Destinations uses a thorough assessment with 100 criteria, including the impact of tourism on the environment and the involvement of local businesses in sustainable practices. It’s more than an international label; it’s a continuous improvement process with regular audits to maintain standards or more onto the next level.
A community movement
It all began with the 2022 award, when the OTN (Normandy Tourist Board Federation) submitted Normandy’s application and the region won for the support it provided visitor centres with a CSR policy (Corporate Social Responsibility). Nine visitor centres took part in the project: Granville Terre et Mer, Cœur de Nacre, Alençon, Bagnoles-de-l’Orne, Nouvelle Normandie Giverny, Le Havre Étretat Normandie, Fécamp, Dieppe Normandie and Forges-les-Eaux. The initial award was followed by victory at the Trophées Horizons in 2023, a French prize for best sustainable tourism practices.
Discover inspirational destinations leading the way in sustainable tourism
That same year, Bagnoles-de-l’Orne (the only spa resort in North West France) became the first destination in France to achieve the label’s gold award. Its exemplary projects include promoting green transport (cycling trails, Nordic walking) and reducing plastics with the #GourdeFriendly reusable bottle campaign.
It was Granville Terre et Mer’s turn to strike gold in 2023 for their work in sustainable development. The community returned to the limelight at the Trophées Horizons in the Social Responsibilitycategory in 2024.
Forges-les-Eaux and Caen-la-Mer both earned silver in 2024. The towns stood out for the war they’ve waged on climate change through resource management, local heritage, culture and social welfare.
Future-forward Normandy
Normandy isn’t resting on its laurels. The region launched a pioneering project in 2024: the Normandy low-carbon charge provides discounted entry to up to a hundred visitor attractions for green transport users travelling by train, bike or bus. The campaign won an award at the Trophées Horizons that year in the Visitor transport and traffic management category.
These projects highlight how committed our region, communities and local businesses are to a better world and taking better care of the environment.
Tourism in Normandy
Thematics
