07/08/2026
From a distance, a hedgerow may look like nothing more than a thin green line between fields. France now sees those lines as working infrastructure for the countryside.
Under its Pacte en faveur de la haie, launched in 2023, France set a target of achieving a net gain of 50,000 kilometres of hedgerows between 2020 and 2030. The programme supports new planting, natural regeneration and better care for existing hedges, with farmers, local authorities and environmental groups all involved.
Their value reaches far beyond appearance. Thick roots hold soil in place and slow rainwater, while branches soften strong winds and reduce moisture loss from fields. Flowers support pollinators, dense growth offers shelter and travel routes for wildlife, and nearby crops can benefit from insects that naturally control pests. Hedgerows also store carbon in their wood and surrounding soil.
France’s renewed effort follows decades of decline, when many field boundaries were removed or poorly maintained. By rebuilding these living corridors, the country is not simply decorating farmland. It is creating a vast natural support system that protects farms, connects habitats and helps rural landscapes cope with changing weather.
