Editorial photo #13951839 Environmental Issue

Gironde: Human Chain To Protect The Ciron Valley

A person wearing a shirt from the NGO GNSA (National Group of Trees Monitoring) sits on the Ciron Bank in Bernos-Beaulac, France, on July 4, 2026. More than 1,000 people gather in the village of Bernos-Beaulac, Gironde, to form a human chain organized by the collectives 'LGV NINA' ('LGV not here nor elsewhere') and 'LGV Non Merci' ('LGV No thanks') to protest against the LNSO high-speed train project in the Ciron Valley. The Ciron Valley is considered by scientists as a significant site for biodiversity, with its beech forest being a relic of prehistoric times. The ecosystem in this valley has remained unchanged for more than 40,000 years and is unique in the world. The SNCF (national railway company of France) plans to divide the valley into four parts for the construction of the LNSO high-speed train between Bordeaux and Toulouse. Opponents of the project express concerns about the potential impact on this unique environment. (Photo by Alain Pitton/NurPhoto)