There is a sign on the side of
the road that often goes unseen whilst driving into or out of our Dordogne
towns and villages. It isn’t a common
traffic sign but it is rather a flowery sign indicating the number of flowers
(if any) awarded to the town: « Villes et Villages Fleuris ».
This label is not specific to our
Dordogne region. It is in fact a
national award that began in 1959 in view to preserve and improve the natural
environment of our towns and villages throughout. The awards are attributed in numbers of
flowers and placed on signs at the entrance of the towns and they are updated/judged
accordingly each year.
To date and in Dordogne-Périgord alone, 19
towns and villages have been awarded for their efforts in protecting and
developing their green areas, public parks and in keeping their city centres in
bloom with flower arrangements. The
following towns and villages of Dordogne - Périgord have received: one flower for Jumilhac le
Grand, Montpon Menesterol and Sainte Alvère,
two flowers for Hautefort, Lalinde,
Trélissac and Villefranche du
Périgord, three flowers for Lanouaille
and Sarlat la Canéda and the ultimate award with four flowers for Périgueux and Bergerac – among
others.
Beside the aesthetic point, this
on-going project offers a better quality of life to inhabitants and visitors thanks
to a dedicated focus and careful maintenance of landscaped public parks in
participating Dordogne towns and villages.
You can also be part of it so go
on, think garden and flowers in your property, town or village in Dordogne ….
simply for the pleasure of gardening or perhaps to win a flower on the sign at
the entrance of your town!
