An environmentally responsible festival

The Festival des Jardins de la Côte d’Azur boasts the GREEN Deal label, showing its commitment to this ambitious package of policy initiatives for ecological transition in the Alpes-Maritimes, initiated by Charles Ange Ginésy, President of the Department of Alpes-Maritimes.

The GREEN Deal is a continuation of the initiatives already in place in the department for the protection of natural areas and in the fight against climate change. 

The “GREEN DEAL” prize

This prize is awarded to the most environmentally responsible garden, according to 5 criteria:

  • Priority given to local plant species
  • Recycling of plants and materials
  • Use of renewable energy (lighting, water pump, etc.)
  • Choice of environmentally responsible materials
  • Eco-friendly water management (watering, mulching, etc.)

Creations that respect the environment

  • A special focus is given to environmental issues, water management as well as the prohibition of pesticides and the search for alternative methods. 
  • The creations had to respect the criteria for sustainable development (eco-friendly materials, ash, wood, recycled materials, water management, environmentally responsible behaviour, no chemicals used, etc.) and reduce energy consumption as much as possible (solar lighting for creations or solar pumps for fountains and ponds).

Sustainable and recyclable creations 

Several towns will conserve the pop-up gardens after the Festival. Three gardens from last year’s festival have been maintained: 

  • The experimental garden from the Campus Vert d’Azur in Antibes-Juan-les-Pins
  • The garden from the non-competing category “La Joie de Vivre” at the Pinède in Juan-les-Pins
  • The “Libérez les Nanas” garden from the 2021 competition in the Principality of Monaco

The plants and materials used for the creations are recovered and reused by creators or towns.

Environmentally responsible communication

  • Use of paper from sustainably managed forests (PEFC label) 
  • Use of natural ink and other materials that are respectful of the environment (recyclable and eco-friendly sheeting) 
  • Digital media is preferred in an effort to consume less paper 
  • QR Codes are used for on-site presentation of the gardens

Raising awareness of environmental issues with visitors

Showcasing the natural spaces: 

  • The map of the Parks and Gardens of the French Riviera will be made available in the Tourist Offices throughout the department and at the various venues for the Festival weekends.
  • Visitors can explore the 31 gardens designed especially for the Festival free of charge.

Encouraging citizens to do their part: 

  • On the Festival website there will be information about the various modes of eco-friendly transport you can use to get to the gardens: bike, carsharing, public buses or trams.
  • During the Festival weekends, sachets of honey-producing plant seeds will be handed out, so everyone can do their part to encourage pollination and protect biodiversity.