Meanwhile,
Here card areas avoided this:
Behind the postcard image. For example, some French beaches display disturbing levels of pollution, especially because of fecal bacteria. Moreover, The Eaux & Rivières de Bretagne association. However, which compiles official surveys, has just published its updated menu for 2025: a hundred sites are now classified as to avoid, even advised against.
A water quality that degrades in places – Here card areas avoided this
The analyzes are final: on 1. Moreover, 854 swimming sites studied in mainland France, 83 beaches are deemed “to avoid” and 364 other “not recommended”. In addition, Conversely. However, a little more than 75 % remain classified as “little risky” or “recommended”, but the trend is slightly down compared to last year. Meanwhile, In question: more intense precipitation which wins the floors. saturate the sanitation networks, causing a massive spill of bacteria like Escherichia coli or the intestinal enterococci.
The most affected regions? The here card areas avoided this northern coast, Brittany and part of Normandy, where intensive agriculture remains an aggravating factor. According to the association. only one pig farming can produce as many droppings as a small town, and the runs are enough to quickly contaminate a swimming area after a rainy episode.
Real health risks, especially for the most fragile
Bathing in water loaded with fecal bacteria is not trivial. The most common risk remains gastroenteritis, but cases of otitis, conjunctivitis or skin infections are also identified. Young children, pregnant women and immunocompromised people are particularly exposed.
To avoid unpleasant surprises. the health authorities recommend being prudent after a thunderstorm: it is better to avoid throwing themselves into the water within 24 to 48 hours of heavy rain. Rinse children carefully after swimming is also a simple reflex to limit the risks.
An interactive map so as not to be mistaken
Faced with this data. the here card areas avoided this association provides an interactive card called La Belle Plage, regularly updated. Each site is classified there according to the percentage of samples deemed to comply over the past four years: water is said to be “recommended” if more than 95 % of the analyzes are good. “little risky” between 85 % and 95 %, “not recommended” between 70 % and 85 % and “to avoid” below 70 %.
This surveillance is fed each summer by regional health agencies, which take their samples from June 15 to September 15. An essential follow -up, while climate change could still complicate bathing water management in the years to come.
If the majority of French beaches remain generally safe, the number of demoted sites this year recalls that the quality of the water remains fragile and depends on multiple factors: networks, agricultural management, urbanization of the coasts … Several municipalities have already announced plans to modernize their infrastructures or strengthen controls on agricultural discharges.
In the meantime. the council remains the same: Inquire before diving, avoid swimming after heavy rains and remain attentive to the reports on site. A simple precaution, so that the beach remains a pleasure … and not a memory of intestinal infection.
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Further reading: Pneumonia puts an end to the Enchanted Tour de France of Mathieu Van der Poel – Age, size, passion, studies … – A grandfather, his son and her granddaughter die drowned off Binic – A farmer killed by shot, a suspect, arrested, admits the facts – Savings, security, biodiversity … Why has France have been “less and less enlightened” for 10 years?.