According to the Sustainable Travel Report released by Booking.com, 87% of global travellers say that they want to travel sustainably. Eco-friendly destinations have also increased in popularity this year with approximately 129,000 online articles written on the topic to help travellers choose their next trip. 

With that in mind, experts at LeLynx.fr sought to discover which are the most popular eco-friendly French destinations and attractions according to Instagram. 

Locations were selected based on those which showed eco-credentials such as investment in sustainability, dedication to eco-friendly initiatives or availability of green space. Each location was then analysed to discover the number of Instagram hashtags.

• Eco-friendly destinations have increased in popularity this year with approximately 129,000 online articles written on the topic.
• The French Riviera is the most Instagrammed eco-friendly French destination, with almost 5 million hashtags on the social media app.
• The second most Instagrammed eco-friendly French destination is Brittany – with 1.3 million hashtags on the gram.

RESULTS: 

1. The French Riviera – #4,887,696

The French Riviera is the most Instagrammed eco-friendly French destination, with almost 5 million hashtags on the social media app. The French Riviera is not only azure waters and picture-perfect cities, but it is also one of the modern landmarks that inspired France to start investing in sustainability back in the late 20th Century.

Tourists that decide to visit this magical spot can take a stroll through the lavender fields of Grasse, the mediaeval villages of Èze or just enjoy sunbathing on its many beaches. 

2. Brittany – #1,311,244

The second most Instagrammed eco-friendly French destination is Brittany (1.3 million hashtags on Instagram). With plenty of energy-saving and recycling initiatives, Brittany’s eco-tourism is recognised by the Green Destinations standard. If you have an interest in gastronomy, history but also religious domains, Brittany is a great place to explore. 

3. Angers – #1,043,541

With just over 1 million hashtags on Instagram, Angers is the third most popular eco-friendly French destination. If you enjoy being surrounded by nature, Angers offers a multitude of parks and gardens. In fact, Angers is the home to an organic garden overflowing with different varieties of plants, herbs, vegetables, and fruits. 

4. Mont Saint-Michel – #577,517

The fourth most Instagrammed eco-friendly French destination is Mont Saint-Michel with 577,517 hashtags on the platform. One of the most well-known French attractions, there is a unique atmosphere in Mont Saint-Michel, given by its narrow streets and ancient architecture. A favoured destination for pilgrims and tourists alike, Mont Saint-Michel was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979. 

5. Camargue – #524,657

In fifth place is Camargue, with approximately half a million hashtags on Instagram. Camargue is a delta region in the Bouches-du-Rhône département. Camargue is home to a special breed of white horses that bear the region’s name and are believed to be one of the oldest breeds of horses still in existence. Camargue is also home to more than 400 species of birds, including flocks of pink flamingos. 

Methodology:

1. LeLynx.fr conducted a study to discover the most popular eco-friendly French destinations and attractions according to Instagram. 
2. LeLynx.fr established a comprehensive list of the most popular eco-friendly French destinations by using the reputable online sources ‘Expedia’ and ‘Blue and Green Tomorrow’. 
3. LeLynx.fr then used Instagram to discover how many hashtags each location had.
4. LeLynx.fr accounted for alternate names of each location by entering several versions, i.e. #slakannecy, #lakannecyfrance and #lakeanncytravel.
5. Once the Instagram hashtag figures were collated for each of the respective locations, they were ranked from highest to lowest based on the total hashtag sum.
6. All hashtag figures in the research are estimates.
7. Data for the research was collated on 15/02/2022 and is subject to change.

Content courtesy of lelynx.fr, Feature Image credit: emperorcosar/Shutterstock