Sources of environmental regulations
Panorama sur la réglementation environnementale en France

France's first environmental regulations can be traced back to the late 19th century. For example, Napoleon's decree of October 15, 1810 regulated the operation of factories and workshops that emitted unhealthy or inconvenient odors. At the time, however, the aim was not so much to protect the environment as to establish public hygiene rules to regulate the coexistence of industrial activities and housing.

It was not until the 1970s that France's major environmental laws appeared:

• July 10, 1973: law on classified wooded areas;

• ...