"Untreated urban waste water can endanger the health of European citizens and the environment," EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas warned.

"The European Commission is taking France to the European Court of Justice for not complying with EU legislation on urban waste water treatment," the EU executive said.

The action over 64 places -- also including Arles, a UNESCO World Heritage List town in Provence -- came after several years of EU concern at France's "failure to put in place proper protection for its citizens and the environment by ensuring waste water is correctly collected and treated."

The European Commission is also sending a first warning letter to France as well as Belgium, Luxembourg, Portugal and Germany for failing to put in place the required infrastructure for collecting and treating water in smaller towns.