Grand Alès and Alès have already been rewarded a number of times for their commitment in a sustainable development policy.

Since 1984, a national competition, called “Marianne d’Or”, rewards the elected representatives of the French Republic, for their devotion, creativity, innovations and passion for proximity democracy. City Halls in the cities, towns and villages,

the presidents of agglomeration communities, regional and departmental councils, are invited to share their experience and ideas in terms of innovation.
By the end of 2007, Alès received a golden Marianne for its sustainable policy on environment. That year 25 mariannes were given to reward the effort in sustainable development policies. Max Roustan was given this national award by Jean-Louis Borloo, secretary of Ecology, Development, and Sustainable Planning, among other things for the future HQE hospital.

On March 13th, 2009, Alès received the national price called “éco-trophée” for the future HQE hospital. The jury was made of representatives of the government, of communities, enterprises, and association and was presided by Guy Geoffroy, Head of the “Eco-maires Association” and Yves Pietrasanta, vice-chair of the regional council of Languedoc-Roussillon and mayor of Mèze.

This prestigious award was given to Max Roustan on March 18th, 2009, in Paris by the state secretary of Tourism, Hervé Novelli. In 2009, only 7 towns in France received the 4th flower. Alès is the first town in the region to have obtained this award.

The 4th flower corresponds to: 25 000 flowers, 200 different varieties, produced each year in the horticultural center of la Prairie, 4500 m² of flowered spaces in town, 330 window box and jardinières, 4 urban parks (Tour Vieille, Bosquet, Colombier, Muser PAB), 8 000 trees, 200 new trees planted each year, 1 000 building fronts and 1 500 flats renovated in a 10 year period, 5 million cubic meters of water saved in 4 years,, 200km of streets, 23.5 acres of squares, parking lots and markets cleaned each year, 2 400 tons of household packaging and papers recycled, 16 000 tons of refusal collected each year, 43 sensors to measure the quality of air, 150 benches in the streets and parks in 3 years, 10 playgrounds renovated in 3years too.

On November 27th, 2008, 13 territorial communities received the Ribbons of Sustainable Development is one of the highest reward in terms of Sustainable Development , among those 13

was Grand Alès.
Grand Alès is the only Languedoc-Roussillon community to have had this award.