What is the cleanest city in France? A surprising top pick

Annecy: the uncontested queen of cleanliness

Ask any French person, and chances are they’ll mention Annecy when talking about clean cities. And yep — they’d be right.

Nestled in the Alps near the Swiss border, Annecy is known as the “Venice of the Alps”, and it’s not just a pretty face. The city consistently ranks among the cleanest and most eco-conscious in France, thanks to strict urban policies, locals who take pride in their streets, and the crystal-clear waters of Lake Annecy, one of Europe’s cleanest lakes.

I visited once in late spring, and honestly? You could practically eat off the pavement (okay, maybe don’t, but you get the point). Even the public trash bins looked freshly cleaned.

Why is Annecy so clean?

• Strict regulations on littering, waste separation, and water preservation

• A strong cycling culture (less traffic pollution)

• Locals and tourists actually respect the place — shocking, I know

• Year-round cleaning teams that don’t mess around

Plus, the surrounding nature seems to inspire a different level of care. You look at those turquoise waters and snow-capped peaks and just feel like picking up that plastic wrapper.

Other clean French cities worth mentioning

Strasbourg: clean and green

Strasbourg, in Alsace, is a close second in many rankings. Its historic center is spotless, and they’ve got an excellent public transport system plus more than 600 kilometers of bike paths.

And their tram system? Silent, sleek, and cleaner than most cafés in Paris.

Nantes: eco-friendly innovation

Located in western France, Nantes is not only clean but super forward-thinking. It won the European Green Capital award back in 2013 and hasn’t stopped since. Green spaces everywhere, smart urban planning, and an effort to reconnect the city with the Loire River.

Honestly, it kind of flies under the radar — but deserves more love.

What makes a French city “clean,” anyway?

It’s not just about trash on the ground

Sure, litter is a factor, but cleanliness also means:

• Air and water quality

• Well-maintained parks and streets

• Clean public restrooms (rare, but they do exist!)

• Noise levels and pollution management

• Public attitude and civic responsibility

I once stayed in a town that looked clean at first glance, but the air smelled like diesel and half the trash was just... hidden in alleys. So yeah — looks can be deceiving.

The role of local governments

The cleanest cities usually have proactive local policies: incentives for eco-behavior, investment in maintenance crews, and education campaigns starting from school age.

Also, hefty fines for littering don’t hurt. (Ask anyone who got slapped with a €135 fine for tossing a cigarette butt in Lyon.)

How does Paris compare?

Okay — deep breath. Paris is beautiful, romantic, historic… and not exactly known for being squeaky clean.

Yes, certain neighborhoods are spotless (looking at you, 7th arrondissement), but others struggle with litter, graffiti, and that... city smell in the summer.

BUT — the city has been pushing major cleanup efforts, especially ahead of the 2024 Olympics. More trash bins, electric street sweepers, and awareness campaigns are slowly making a difference.

Still, if we’re talking cleanest, Paris doesn’t quite make the podium.

Final thoughts: cleanliness is more than appearance

So, what’s the cleanest city in France? Hands down, it’s Annecy — a city that balances natural beauty, smart planning, and public respect.

But other places like Strasbourg, Nantes, and even small towns like Colmar or Bayonne deserve some applause too.

At the end of the day, a clean city reflects not just policy, but the attitude of its people. And in Annecy? That attitude is fresh, clear, and just a little Alpine.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.