The Grand Parc de l'Hers project, covering 77 km of rivers and streams and passing through 13 towns in eastern Toulouse, aims to create the "Chemin de l'Hers". This pedestrian and cycle route will follow the river and its tributaries, promoting natural spaces, biodiversity, and outdoor activities for the 180,000 inhabitants of the living area.
Developed in 2023 through consultation with local stakeholders, a White Paper and an Action Plan guide the implementation. As of 2025, prefiguration actions have begun in the 13 concerned municipalities: Saint-Jory, Bruguières, Gratentour, Castelginest, Saint-Alban, Fonbeauzard, Aucamville, Launaguet, L’Union, Toulouse, Balma, Quint-Fonsegrives, and Saint-Orens-de-Gameville.
These initial actions aim to enhance "entry points" and "emblematic sites" along the Hers. By spring 2026, developments include: at Parc de Tucol in Saint Jory (northern entrance), planting 170 shrubs and 15 standard trees, installing furniture and a pedestrian path. At the Verger de la Marcaissonne in Saint-Orens-de-Gameville (southern entrance), 40 fruit trees have been planted and urban furniture added. In Toulouse, in the Gabardie district, the Bernard Sarrette path has had its asphalt removed for a greenway, with 9 standard trees and 13 shrubs planted.
The project is based on three values: "life first", "resident well-being", and "minimal environmental impact". Objectives include preserving nature and biodiversity, improving living conditions through gentle mobility and cool spaces, and supporting environmentally friendly agriculture.
The timeline includes a declaration of metropolitan interest in December 2020, the publication of the White Paper in Summer 2023, and the Action Plan at the end of 2023. Prefiguration actions began in 2025, the year preliminary studies for the master plan were launched, with the master plan itself to be developed in 2026. Plantings and urban furniture installation are scheduled for Spring 2026.
A citizen participation and public consultation process will be launched soon to support the development of the Grand Parc de l'Hers master plan.
