Blue Flag: why have the beaches of Sciotot and Agon-Coutainville not obtained this label?

While the 2024 winners of the Blue Flag is revealed this THURSDAY May 23from Pornichet (Loire-Atlantique), beaches where it may have floated will no longer display it or ask for it.

Awarded annually since 1985 for “environmental management efforts” on beaches and in the ports across the world it will float above 15 locations of the Channel, among the 505 sites chosen in France by the Teragir association: 398 beaches, 106 marinas and, for the first time, 1 boat (L’Explore ocean, in Hendaye, in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques).

50 criteria

To win this flag, you must meet “50 criteria by site typology to protect ecosystems and health: waste and water management, cleanliness of bathing water, soft mobility, environmental education, etc. »

“A flawless environmental requirement”

“Ten beaches and five ports will once again display this standard this year. Rich with a coastline of 674 kilometersManche displays unfailing environmental standards, a major asset in the attractiveness of the territory at the start of the summer season,” quickly reacted Jean Morin, president of the Manche departmental council.

This perfectly justified recognition is a strong signal sent to all those who will come to visit us this summer.

In the Channel, if the ranking remains the same on the port side, there is a small nuance on the beach side. For several years now, resorts have disappeared from the list, like Surtainville, Portbail, or even Agon-Coutainville.

The Centre-Manche commune is once again absent. After not being able to win the famous pavilion last year, the municipality took the lead this time. “We did not apply,” Mayor Christian Dutertre responds bluntly.

We have done a lot of work, on the promenade in particular, and we continue, there are still a certain number of developments to be finished… Which does not exclude the quality of the bathing water, the living environment, the ‘home… We have several other labels!

Agon-Coutainville notably displays the labels Green Station, Family Plus, Prudent City… Attention is paid to numerous criteria which are important for residents like the tourists.

“We are doing serious work and the notoriety is at the top! Not having received the label last year did not harm us. And even if there is a good chance that we will renew our request for labeling next year, we are not absolutely sure that it will bring anything…”

A certain cost

The mayor also highlights an obstacle: the cost of participation fees. Because applying to obtain the Blue Flag is not free.

The cost varies depending on the number of inhabitantsfor the beaches, and the number of ringsfor ports: from 950 euros for municipalities with less than 2,500 inhabitants at 2,700 euros for those with more than 100,000 inhabitants and from 395 euros for ports with less than 100 rings at 1,350 euros for those over 250 rings. And application fees of 140 euros.

Several municipalities have already chosen not to request this label or not to renew it, because it has a cost, “even if it is a guarantee of qualitya reference“.

And Les Pieux, which this year had its application refused for its beach Sciototafter missing the check-up, wonders about the future.

“The check was scheduled earlier than usual this year, in December. We did not react in time, we wanted to resume the usual procedure but they closed the door in our face. However, we meet the criteria, without any difficulty. We did not want to go further in terms of complaints. We are going to test for once the impact of not having it. Our beach is known and recognized. Will the absence of a label penalize us? We have no complaints and it is true that the application file is an additional cost. »

The question of applying for 2025 will therefore arise, knowing that Les Pieux, too, is rich in many other quality labels.

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