French School Receives Eco-Responsibility Certification

Why this is here: The Jean-Marie Le Bris high school planted around 200 shrubs and 50 trees as part of its redesign, increasing biodiversity on the campus.

In Douarnenez, France, Jean-Marie Le Bris high school became the first in the country to receive Effinature certification. The certification recognizes eco-responsible buildings and their impact on biodiversity. The school redesigned 9,000 square meters of outdoor space and constructed a new building with green features.

The campus now includes grassy areas, roughly 200 shrubs, and about 50 trees. Students and staff can also access a greenhouse and vegetable garden.

Designers incorporated birdhouses and bat shelters, and even created nesting spots for the protected silver gull on the rooftops. The entire project cost 27.4 million euros, funded by the regional council with 5.48 million euros from the department.

Loïc Hénaff, a regional councilor, notes the school replaced concrete with biosourced materials and installed solar panels. The school aims to reach the highest level of Effinature certification within three years, as they monitor the long-term effects of these changes.