At the Trouville-sur-Mer Tourist Office, we are convinced that an unforgettable stay begins with a small gesture: that of respecting the places we love, together.
Every year, thousands of visitors come to discover our irresistibly charming city. But behind the romantic sunsets... sometimes lies a slightly less glamorous scenario: litter. Greasy paper in the sand, a bottle forgotten on a bench, a cigarette butt abandoned on the sidewalk... so many small oversights that leave a big mark.
Fortunately, the teams at the Beach and Sea Establishment are on hand every day to ensure a spotless beach. So if it's clean when you arrive, why wouldn't it be when you leave?
Residents, tourists, Sunday strollers or seasoned swimmers: it's up to all of us to keep Trouville and its surroundings as beautiful as we remember them!
A vital issue for our city… and for our planet
In Trouville-sur-Mer, as elsewhere, waste isn't just a nuisance: it can seriously harm the environment. Plastics, packaging, cigarette butts... these items may look small, but they cause significant damage.
Every year, 8 million tons of plastic are dumped into the oceans. More than 700 marine species pay the price. And the most astonishing thing is that 80% of this waste comes from... coastal areas!
And as if that weren't enough, their degradation is extremely slow. A plastic bag takes up to 450 years to disappear. A piece of chewing gum? 5 years. A cigarette butt? 12 years. And during this time, they continue to pollute water, soil, and biodiversity.
The art of being free is to walk barefoot without crossing a cigarette butt.
Cigarette butts are among the most common litter found on our beaches. A single one can pollute up to 500 liters of water. And yet, according to an Alcome/OpinionWay study, 56% of smokers admit to throwing them on the ground outdoors.
Since July 1, 2025, smoking is prohibited on the beach, in accordance with a national decree. However, pocket ashtrays remain available free of charge at the Beach Establishment and the Tourist Office for smoking in authorized areas.
“It’s not going to happen by itself!” – A campaign that sets the record straight
Countryside « It's not going to happen by itself! » Gestes Propres reminds us of one simple thing: to ensure waste ends up in the right place, we must act. Because, as surprising as it may seem, cans don't just jump into the trash cans and cigarette butts don't fly off to recycling centers.
Some figures to think about:
- 56% of smokers throw their cigarette butts on the ground (OpinionWay – Alcome, 2019
- 27% of French people admit to having already thrown rubbish on the ground (IFOP – Gestes Propres / Citeo, 2020-21)
- 1 in 4 French people admit to having already left bulky items in public spaces, often thinking they were "doing a favor" (46%) in the hope that they would be collected - however, these non-system deposits harm the environment and quality of life (IFOP Study - Gestes Propres - 2024/25).
So no, it doesn’t happen on its own… but together, it becomes easy!
Simple gestures for great effects
Want to get involved? Join the beach cleanup!
The Rivage Propre association organizes a beach cleanup every Tuesday, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Find all the dates and information on our online agenda. Good mood guaranteed and a useful gesture to boot!
Trash cans everywhere, as long as you aim them correctly
Trash cans are located along the boardwalks and trails. If you can't find one right away, keep your trash with you. It'll wait until the next collection point—or until you reach your home.
Trouville-sur-Mer is beautiful thanks to you. Thank you for protecting it, day after day.
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