There are some awards that are gratifying and others that we'd rather not receive. Such is the case with the"Prix de la France moche". Organized every year by Paysages de France, this participatory competition is not intended to stigmatize the winning communes, but rather to " highlight damage to our landscapes ", explains the association in its press release published on November 13, 2023. The aim? To fight against " all forms of damage to the landscape and living environment, and all forms of pollution, particularly visual pollution, in urban and non-urban landscapes, including maritime and aerial landscapes".
This year, for the 2023 edition of its"Prix de la France moche", the Paysages de France association, founded in 1992, was keen to reward four communes, including Chavelot in the Vosges, Carnac in Morbihan and Honfleur in Calvados. The latest winner? Paris. In fact, the capital is one of the winners of the"Prix de la France moche".
A large number of Internet members were invited to take photos of a particular " ugly " location in the streets of Paris. The Place des Vosges won in the " Heritage Enhancement " category, because of the imposing advertising hoarding on one of the facades of this famous Parisian square, which has been a listed historic monument since October 26, 1954.
The association, which aims to " protect, rehabilitate and enhance urban and non-urban landscapes ", explains in its press release that it has notified the mayors of the winning towns. " Let's hope that these 2023 awards will continue to open the eyes of those who, in the name of progress and modernity, seem to turn a blind eye to sprawling commercial zones, streets saturated with advertising hoardings and rampant concrete development..." explains Paysages de France in the same press release.
Location
Place des Vosges
Place des Vosges
75004 Paris 4
Official website
www.paysagesdefrance.org
