In response to recent heatwaves, the municipality of Saint-Étienne has initiated a large-scale tree-planting campaign. This commitment, aiming to plant 1,000 trees during its term, began on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at the square des Ordres Nationaux. The goal is to further vegetate public spaces, bring coolness to neighborhoods, and improve residents' quality of life, while preparing the city for future heat.
Planting trees is crucial for adapting Saint-Étienne to climate change. It creates new shaded and cool areas, particularly near schools, in squares, and in the most built-up zones. This effort also promotes biodiversity and improves soil quality. The municipality will prioritize areas currently lacking vegetation.
By the end of 2026, 525 trees are scheduled for planting in various city locations: 200 on the terrasses René Roinat, 40 at the square Léopold-Sédar-Senghor, 35 on Place Général-Lafayette, 10 at the square des Ordres Nationaux, 50 in Saint-Étienne's cemeteries, and 200 along different city streets. Nearly 500 additional trees are planned for early 2027 to reach the target of 1,000 trees for this first season.
The campaign was launched in the presence of students from collège Gambetta, who discussed the role of trees in the city with municipal officials and technicians. This involvement of young people aims to raise their awareness about the transformation of their city and the importance of nature in urban environments.
