Expectation in front of the celebration of the delivery ceremony of the honor flowers next Friday.
Bagergue, Canejan and Arties are the three Aranese towns that are members of the “Viles Florides” project, which promotes the Ornamental Horticulture Confederation of Catalonia (CHOC) with the support of the Catalan Tourism Agency. After Bagergue obtained four flowers of honour last season – the highest recognition obtained so far – this year was followed by the other two villages that, once the improvements in their environment have been made this summer, expect to know the decision of the jury on Friday 22, at an event to be held in Mollet del Vallès.
The “viles florides” stand out for their real, conscious and long-lasting action in terms of landscaping, urban landscape and improving the quality of life of its citizens. Its cataloguing is decided by a jury specialized in flowers, gardening, landscaping, urban furniture and other related fields.
The Honor flower -from one to five- is the recognition that certifies them as “viles florides”. Among the most valued aspects are plant and landscape heritage, resources for its maintenance, diversity in the province and the functionality of green spaces, among others. Respect for the environment and sustainability is also taken into account, as well as the social use made of it and synergies with tourism activity.
Viles florides de la Val d’Aran
This year there are already three “viles florides” de la Val d’ Aran: Bagergue, Canejan and Arties. To promote themselves jointly Bagergue and Canejan have joined the Viles florides del Pirineu de Lleida project, and Arties will do so next season, as this year has not arrived on time. Together with other municipalities such as Rialp, Vilaller and La Seu d’ Urgell, they have initiated joint promotional actions such as the publication of a triptych distributed throughout the Pyrenees.
The three Aranese towns have done a good job, both in the public and private areas dependent on the council, for which they have achieved the involvement of most of the neighbours. Each in their own way, they have gradually planted the village with flowers.
Bagergue, vila florida de la Val d’Aran
Bagergue, which joined the “Viles florides” project last season, is one of five Catalan municipalities with four flowers of honour. The villa is filled with flowers that give life and color to the stones of the characteristic houses of Aranese construction.
The highest village of the Val d’ Aran, situated at 1,419 metres above sea level, is characterised by its streets decorated with flowers of all kinds. This year, 20 new planters have been added, and as a future project, the integration of vegetation into the entrance wall of the villa is planned.
Above all, the enthusiasm and involvement of the neighbours in the beautification tasks is outstanding. In addition, this summer a good promotional campaign was carried out with the creation of the “Route of the flowery spaces of Bagergue” and the organisation of a photographic competition in Instagram. The participation of the people in this project has contributed to the increase of the tourist attraction by 22% more than last year and 58% more than two years ago.
Canejan, vila florida de la Val d’Aran
In March of this year, Canejan joined the “Viles florides” project. At 906 metres above sea level, it is the Val d’Aran northernmost village. Elevated over the Val de Toran, it offers one of the best views of the whole Baish Aran. For the consistory, being part of Viles Florides is one more tourist attraction. “Viles Florides is another step forward in the task we carry out so that visitors and neighbours can walk along clean, arranged and flowery streets”, explains Noemi Lastera, councillor of the Canejan city council.
Arties, vila florida de la Val d’Aran
Arties is the third Aranese population to join the “Viles florides”, last June. The village is located at an altitude of 1,143 m, at the confluence of the Valarties River with the Garonne, in a small widening of the valley. Arties has always paid great attention to floral
is the third Aranese population to join the “Viles florides”, last June. The village is located at an altitude of 1,143 m, at the confluence of the Valarties River with the Garonne, in a small widening of the valley. Arties has always paid great attention to floral ornamentation and decorates its streets and gardens with different flowers, with the mobilization of locals for the ornamentation of their houses. For David Torres, mayor of Arties, the adhesion to the project “Viles Florides” wants to “encourage the neighbours and make them participate in the care and floral decoration of the village and the private spaces”. The mayor considers that becoming a “vila florida” should also be a “tourist incentive” for the population.
ornamentation and decorates its streets and gardens with different flowers, with the mobilization of locals for the ornamentation of their houses. For David Torres, mayor of Arties, the adhesion to the project “Viles Florides” wants to “encourage the neighbours and make them participate in the care and floral decoration of the village and the private spaces”. The mayor considers that becoming a “vila florida” should also be a “tourist incentive” for the population.