&
Environmental Protection
We asked our partners which nearby natural places they like the most when they want to go hiking, biking or just hace a nice picnic. These are their suggestions ...
Dijon and its surroundings
Lac Kir
It is an an artificial lake crossed by the Ouche River inaugurated in 1964 by Félix Kir.
There are a lot of birds around the lake and it is also a leisure area offering a wide range of hiking, cycling and aquatic sports.
Darcy Garden
Darcy was the man who brought fresh water to Dijon and this park was the city's first public park. A visit is highly recommended as it is one of the most beautiful parks in Dijon. You can have lunch with friends, ride your bike or go for a run while enjoying the sound of the birds. It's also a great place to take stunning photos. You can reach the park by car or on foot.
Jura
If you like the mountains, the Jura massif has spectacular landscapes. It offers the perfect paceful retreat for lovers of the great outdoors and adventure sports or for people who love skiing.
It is better to go by car because it is far from Dijon, but it is worth it.
Parc de la Colombière
This large park is located near the center of Dijon and can be accessed by car or on foot. It is a spacious green area and the only park in Dijon with animlas. You can f0llow a path to see various animals, such as wild boars, deer and different types of birds. But remember, touching the animals is not allowed. Children can enjoy the fantastic playgrounds, and visitors can also go for a snack, ride a bike, run or simply take a walk.
Évora and its surroundings
Alto São Bento
It is the highest point in Évora, perfect to enjoy a panoramic view of the entire city and to enjoy peaceful moments.
It is home to historic windmills built between the 17th and 18th centuries. They were strategically placed to harness the strong wind currents that sweep over the hilltop.
Public Garden in Évora
Évora's public garden is a beautiful park with diverse vegetation and vibrant colours. It is a peaceful place, perfect for relaxation. You can just walk there or go car, motorbike, or bike. In addition to walking and feeding the ducks, the park offers space for sports. While it is mainly a cultural site, it's also a great spot for a fun game of football ⚽😁!
Tower of Belém
It is a "castle" located on a beach along Brasília Avenue in Lisbon. It was built to defend the city. But later, it became a lighthouse used to guide the ships.
The Tower is not very large but you can't miss it: it is not far from the city center and the views are stunning .
The Jerónimos Monastery
This ancient monastery, located in the Belém neighborhood of Lisbon, was begun in the Manueline style by the architect Juan de Castillo. It was King Manuel I of Portugal who ordered to build it to commemorate Vasco da Gama's successful return from India in 1499.
This monument is surrounded by gardens and close to the beach, making it a special place to enjoy a day outdoors.
Archanes and its surroundings
Mount Juktas
With its 811 metres, it is the secound tallest ppint in Crete. At the summit, there is an Orthodox chuarch called Anemospilia. It is a significant natural site with a rich history conncted with Greek mythology. Here, you can visit the Zeus Cemetery, where you will find bones from various species. According to legend, every animal in town goes there to die.
Fourni Forest
It is a small artificial forest located on the Kefalafa hill, next to the village of Kato Archanes. It is named after the homonymous pre-Minoan cemetery found on the southern side of the hill. Despite its small size, the forest is lush with pine and cypress trees and offers several trails, making it ideal for hiking and mountain biking. It is a perfect destination for a Sunday walk in nature, as it is just 17 km from Heraklion. To the northwest, at the start of the main path, there is a small stone theater where you can enjoy the view of Archanes.
As we all know, preserving the environment is essential for our well-being and the life of the planet. One of our tasks was to observe our surroundings and take notes of what we saw. Many actions carried out in the countries we visited contribute to improve and preserve the environment. Unfortunately, some others are very damaging for the natural world.
This observation has helped us to reflect and value the importance of the consequences of our actions, both positive and negative.
There is not much vegetation in the heavily populated areas of the city .
Stagnant water that can lead to health and hygiene issues.
Trash is often not separated before disposal in containers.
Litter, like paper, cigarette butts, plastic bottles and wrappers, is left on the ground.
Dog waste left on the ground creates an unpleasant environment.
There is heavy car traffic, which contributes to pollution.
There are not enoug bins so trash often found on the gorund.
Some streets have holes and stones, making it difficult to walk on.
Illegal dumping and deforestation are harmful to the environment.
Pollution and forest fires are affecting the climate.
Do not throw garbage on the ground
Do not harm the plants
Do not harm animals
Use non-polluting transport
Plant trees when there is a fire (to repopulate)
Separate garbage before throwing it away
Recycle and dispose of trash properly in the trash cans.
Protect wildlife and avoid harming animals.
Be cautious with fire safety.
Pick up after your pet to keep the area clean.
Avoid using excessive plastic and conserve nature.
Choose the bus or bike instead of driving.
Walk or use public transport to reduce pollution.
Many people recycle at home using two bins to separate rubbish.
Schools and canteens have specific containers for different types of waste.
Streets and parks are equipped with many litter bins to keep them clean.
Families often buy organic products to reduce their environmental impact.
Reusable bags are commonly used when shopping to avoid plastic waste.
Public transport, like the metro, is frequently used to reduce pollution.
Proper waste disposal is encouraged by fines for littering or leaving pet waste.
Individuals are advised to pick up rubbish from the ground and place it in bins.
In the canteen at Jean Rostand School, each type of food waste is disposed of in a designated bin.
You can see this message next to the gutters in the streets of Dijon: "The sea begins here, don't litter"