Post-War Reconstruction and Modernization

The Trente Glorieuses: Growth at Any Cost?

The thirty years following World War II—Les Trente Glorieuses (1945-1975)—transformed France from a largely rural society to an industrial power. This period of rapid economic growth brought unprecedented prosperity but also accelerated environmental degradation.

The Plan Monnet (1946) prioritized industrial reconstruction with little consideration for environmental impacts. Coal production expanded, new chemical plants proliferated, and automobile manufacturing boomed. The nuclear program, launched in the 1950s, promised energy independence but introduced new environmental risks.

Agricultural modernization under the Common Agricultural Policy revolutionized farming. Small, diverse farms gave way to industrial monocultures dependent on chemical inputs. The remembrement program consolidated fragmented holdings, destroying hedgerows and traditional landscape features. Pesticide use soared, with consequences for biodiversity and human health that would only become apparent decades later.

Urban Expansion and Its Consequences

The post-war housing crisis led to massive construction programs. The grands ensembles—large housing projects—sprouted on urban peripheries, often with minimal consideration for green space or environmental quality. Cities like Lyon and Marseille expanded rapidly, consuming agricultural land and generating new forms of pollution.

The automobile's triumph reshaped both cities and countryside. The construction of autoroutes fragmented habitats and encouraged urban sprawl. Air quality in major cities deteriorated, though this received little attention in the growth-focused atmosphere of the time.

Early Warning Signs

Despite the general enthusiasm for modernization, some voices raised environmental concerns. The writer and farmer Pierre Rabhi began developing ideas about ecological agriculture. Scientists like Roger Heim warned about species extinction. The Club of Rome's French members contributed to growing awareness of limits to growth.

Localized environmental conflicts emerged in the 1960s. Residents protested chemical plant pollution in the Rhône valley. Brittany experienced early conflicts over intensive pig farming. The proposed Vanoise ski resort in 1969 galvanized opposition from mountaineers and scientists, leading to creation of France's first national park.