The Tour de France is only a tenant of its stadium. Its priority is to protect it !
In order to preserve these fragile landscapes, the Tour de France must work on various polluting factors, such as waste, transportation…
Preserving the natural landscapes also involves raising public awareness of the fragility of these environment, with information simplified by the experts responsible for their management and protection.
Respect of our environment and preservation of biodiversity are priorities for the organization in order to safeguard rider’s playground.
Since 2010, the BIOTOPE consulting firm, expert in biodiversity, has been supporting the Tour’s design by conducting Natura 2000 impact studies (Natura 2000 is a European network of protected natural areas). It enables the organization to better anticipate the potential impact of the race on these protected areas.
In 2024, the 108 Natura 2000 areas on the route of the Tour have been meticulously studied to implement appropriate measures to preserve them : no gift-distribution, interruption of the caravan sound-broadcasting, no overflight,…
CARAVANE
- 90% of plastic packagings eliminated from goodies (excluding foods and industrial products). 100% of E.Leclerc's food packagings are recyclable (made of paper).
- Manufacturers are encouraged to produce more useful products made out of more environmentally friendly materials sourced from France or the rest of Europe.
HOSPITALITY
- Elimination of the goodies' plastic wrappings, straws since 2018, guest wristbands made of plastic (48,000 in 2019), single-use plastic champagne glasses replaced with reusable glasses in 2020, etc.
- Coffee and soda cups made of compostable (at home) and biodegradable cardboard
- 100% in-season, 100% French foods
NEW IN 2024
- Increasing use of Vittel 2L and 6L containers to reduce the volume of plastic used during the event.
- Nine coordinators assist the host-citie, Tour followers, riders, and the general public with waste sorting before and during the event.
A specific sorting charter, "C’est mon Tour, j’Agis" (It’s my Tour, I sort) and eco-responsibility training for Tour followers have been developed for the occasion.
In total, over 80% of the waste produced during the Tour de France is recycled.
For riders:
- 108 waste collection zones for riders (4 to 8 in each stage depending on its length) are marked out and cleaned up by the organisers
- Rules to combat bad behaviour (fines and time penalties)
For local authorities and the public at large:
- 100,000 rubbish bags made from recycled materials are handed out in stage towns and cities;
- 1 hybrid environmental vehicle raises awareness among the public about good practices on the course.
Eco-friendly mobile sanitary facilities are deployed in technical and living areas, at the start, along the route, and at the finish:
- 4 vacuum caravans with reduced water consumption (70 cl vs 7 to 10 liters per use).
- 3 "dry" caravans - No water consumption, no electricity consumption (solar panels), waste can be recycled.
- 20 self-sufficient or PSH cabins => 1.5 m³ of water saved per cabin per day.
- "Blue disinfectant" product without biocide, biodegradable, and with negligible ecotoxicity (SDS data).
- Toilet paper made from recycled paper.
On the Tour de France 2024, 287,000 l of water saved on the sanitary section (i.e. the consumption of 63 French people versus 25 French people in 2023).
A hydrovac truck is deployed to collect wastewater (showers) and "black" water (toilets) from the team buses, which previously had to use a dump station.
Since 2022, diesel generators have been replaced by battery-powered units or those running on biofuel.
Since 2019, solar-powered structures have been introduced, especially in guest areas at the start and finish. In 2024, the Skoda intermediate sprint structure will be solar-powered. This will also be the case for several partner stands, such as Senseo, which will be 100% energy-autonomous in 2024 with the installation of photovoltaic awnings.
The Tour de France, France Télévisions and the National Museum of Natural History are continuing their partnership and together launching the eleventh edition of the « Tour de France of Biodiversity ». The aim of this operation is to promote to the public to promote among members of the public the protected natural areas crossed by the riders in which environmental stakeholders work to preserve the natural heritage of France.
This year, Alexandre Paster, commentator on the Tour de France on France Télévisions, is taking part in the project as an ambassador. « The « Tour de France of biodiversity » not only plunges us into the heart of our country’s natural wealth, it also encourages us to take action. By raising public awareness of the beauty and fragility of our environment, this program encourages each and every one of us to become involved in preserving biodiversity for present and future generations ».
This partnership goes hand in hand with a charter of good behaviour edited by the Museum and promoted by the Tour de France.
All together, cyclists, the public and organisers to make the race a huge success!
1.- Following the rules concerning protected natural areas
2.- Admiring wild animals and plants without disturbing them
3.- Refraining from parking in natural areas
4.- Throwing paper and litter away in the designated places
5.- Lighting no fires at all
6.- Using public transportation whenever possible
7.- Keeping our roads clean and free of paint
8.- Keeping a close eye on pets
9.- Finding out more about the natural areas crossed by the race
10.- Encouraging a sporting spirit and the riders!
"On top of the sporting dimension, discovering and taking in the landscapes of France is part of what makes the Tour the Tour: France Télévisions surveys have found that many TV viewers watch the Tour both for the race and for the landscapes. The Ministry of Ecological Transition therefore invites you to go a step further by sharing nuggets of knowledge about the landscapes crossed in every stage, so that seeing becomes knowing and contemplation becomes comprehension. Go to the Objectifs Paysages website to find out more about the landscapes and the public policies involved in their protection, management and enhancement.
The 2024 Tour de France takes you to 6 of the 58 regional natural parks in the country. A mosaic of French landscapes, they are patches of nature, but also home to people: they come to life through their rich culture, economy and heritage. Cycling has a natural place in these landscapes because of their tourist activities, but also because it is increasingly becoming one of the means of soft mobility promoted by regional natural parks.
Initiated in 1959 with the aim of beautifying cities through greenery, the Villes et Villages Fleuris (Towns and Villages in Bloom) label has been supporting municipalities in improving their living environment for 65 years. A pioneer in sustainable development issues since the late 1990s, it recognizes municipalities that engage in a comprehensive approach to reconcile sustainable quality of life with environmental urgency. Through this national recognition, the label allows municipalities that wish to benefit from support to promote environmental preservation while maintaining their territorial identity. To date, more than 4,700 municipalities across France have been awarded the label, with ratings ranging from 1 to 4 flowers.
This renowned label in the French landscape served as a model for the creation of the Cycle City label of the Tour de France, initiated in 2021 to reward cities that have hosted the event for their actions in favour of cycling. Today, 155 municipalities in France and abroad are labelled with 1 to 4 bicycles.
Given their shared values, the two labels have decided to collaborate this year to better promote the labelled cities along the route, to place greater emphasis on the cyclability criterion in the Villes et Villages Fleuris rating system, and to offer 100% "Fleurs de France" labelled bouquets on the Tour de France podiums.
Created in 2015, the "Fleurs de France" label guarantees the French origin of flowers as well as an eco-responsible commitment from producers.
