Cities and Towns in Bloom, or the Ville Fleurie

The book Emmy and the Iris is a modern version of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s The Secret Garden, which took place in England. Why is France a great setting for this Fanciful French Twist on the original? Mysterious castles abound, of course (more on that in this post), but also flowers: the French put a lot of effort into preserving the beauty of their countryside. If you drive through France, you’ll notice a sign like the one below at the entrance to some villages and cities.

It’s a special label bestowed by the National Council of Cities and Towns in Bloom (rough translation). It rewards towns and cities that promote sustainable living, are dedicated to preserving natural spaces, and promote French heritage. It uses a rating system (1 to 4 flowers) that appears on the signs, and towns and cities are often proud to announce their rating every year. In fact, according to an Ipsos poll, 90% of French people are familiar with this label, thanks to the events and television specials that are organized for it.

You can see the ratings for individual cities on the official website and also lots of pictures of beautiful, floral villages that inspired Emmy and the Iris!

Source: https://www.villes-et-villages-fleuris.com

Photo: brignoles.fr / https://www.villes-et-villages-fleuris.com/

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