FEATURE/American Jury Visits Alsace's Top Villes Fleuries.

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE FEATURES)--Sept. 24, 1999--

France's Communities Compete For "Villes Fleuries" Awards

Imagine flower boxes overflowing with red and white blossoms, flower-lined streets and canals, lush gardens and parks, and the picturesque villages of Alsace immediately come to mind. Ever wonder what that "Ville Fleurie" sign at the edge of town meant? Everyone is familiar with the Michelin "star" rating system for restaurants, but little known is France's unique "flower" rating system and competition.

For the first time, an American jury was invited to visit Alsace's top "four-flower" villes fleuries, to judge the "Millenium Villes Fleuries Competition". Alsace was chosen as it is the smallest region in France, and yet has more "four-flower" communities than any other region in the country. The American jury was warmly greeted by the members of the regional flower jury of Alsace, headed by Martine Calderoli, Regional Representative, who offered pointers on the criteria used to judge a town's floral efforts. The requirements are: year-round flowers throughout the community, including parks, gardens, playing fields and public squares. Also required is the creation of "open-air spaces", and improvement of the environment and quality of life, including the cleanliness of highways, public spaces and city property. "This competition enhances our quality of life" said Ms. Calderoli, "since it encourages us to create a more beautiful environment in which to carry on our daily lives. Though there's a healthy rivalry between the communities, everyone benefits."

Initially created in 1959 to compensate the flower planting efforts of communities in Alsace, Normandy, Rhone-Alpes and Centre/Val-de-Loire, the Villes Fleuries competition today bestows honors nationwide on towns that improve their environment and quality of life by improving the green spaces of their community. The national competition of houses, villages and cities is organized by the National Committee for the Flowering of France (Comite National pour le Fleurissement de la France), hand in hand with the regions, departments and communities. (There are 22 regions in France, and each region is made up of departments - for example, the region of Alsace has two departments: the Bas-Rhin and the Haut-Rhin.) It is free and open to all towns and villages. Selected communities are awarded one to four "flowers" and receive a Ville Fleurie sign that is placed at the town's entrance.

Departmental juries visit the registered communities and select the winners that are then entered into the regional competition. After visiting the departmental winner, the regional juries attribute the Ville Fleurie sign with one to three "flowers". The regional jury recommends communities for "four-flower" status to the national jury. The national jury then visits the nominated communities as well as the current "four-flower" towns. The juries are made up of horticulturists, tourism professionals, representatives of public institutions, journalists and various other professionals.

Out of 119 communities awarded four "flowers" nationwide, Alsace boasts 11 "four-flower" villages and cities, as well as 13 "three-flower", 34 "two-flower" and 48 "one-flower" communities. The "four-flower" communities of Alsace are: Bergheim, Colmar (birthplace of Statue of Liberty creator, Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi), Diebolsheim, Eguisheim, Guebwiller, Hirtzbach, Hohwiller, Itterswiller, Kaysersberg (birthplace of Dr. Albert Schweitzer), Masevaux and Ribeauville. In addition, Mulhouse (three "flowers") was awarded the Grand Prize for Trees, and the Haut-Rhin department of Alsace was honored with the 1998 National "Departement Fleuri" Prize.

The American jury was made up of professional writers and photographers who specialize in flowers and gardens. The competition was strong, with votes cast for Itterswiller, Guebwiller, Bergheim and Kaysersberg, but in the end, the jury selected Eguisheim as their favorite ville fleurie. A charming village located along Alsace's famed Wine Route, Eguisheim captured first place with beautiful floral displays that enhanced the ancient architecture and circular walk around its inner ramparts, along with the enthusiastic participation of local inhabitants. Masevaux came in a close second, and was awarded a special "Most Creative" prize for its imaginative use of color and flower varieties.

Alsace is not only about geraniums and flower boxes. The region is bursting with a myriad of gardens and parks, many of which are listed in the new brochure, `Garden Month', published by the Regional Department for Cultural Affairs. The brochure (available in French/German) lists public as well as private gardens, and when they can be visited. The `Imagine...All Four Seasons In Alsace' brochure is available (in English) and the Christmas Markets brochure will be coming out soon.

For information on Alsace and the Villes Fleuries competition, call "France On Call" at [phone], e-mail [e-mail], or consult www.francetourism.com, www.tourisme-alsace.com or www.easternfrance.com.