Mélanie2web: complete guide to the French ministry messaging platform

Updated March 2026 - Mélanie2web is the official secure electronic messaging system for five French government ministries, used daily by over 50,000 civil servants. Far from being a simple webmail interface, this collaborative platform is one of the digital pillars of the French public administration. In 2026, Mélanie2web is undergoing its most significant transformation since its launch in 2015, with a progressive migration to a new national messaging system.

See also SME digitalisation, privacy policy requirements and contact centre solution: what is at stake.

Mélanie2web, sometimes referred to as "Mel" or "Mélanie 2 Web Din", is the official web interface for the ministerial messaging system MEL (Messagerie Électronique). It is important to distinguish the two: MEL refers to the messaging system as a whole — servers, infrastructure, communication protocols — while Mélanie2web is the web portal that provides access to it through a browser.

The platform is managed by the Direction de l'Information et du Numérique (DIN) of the Ministry of Ecological Transition, which serves as the lead ministry for all user departments. The original objective in 2015 was to create a sovereign messaging system, hosted in France, with security standards significantly higher than consumer-grade solutions.

The five ministries covered by Mélanie2web are:

• ▸the Ministry of Ecological Transition (~15,000 agents);
• ▸the Ministry of Agriculture and Food (~12,000 agents);
• ▸the Ministry of Housing (~8,000 agents);
• ▸the Ministry of Transport (~10,000 agents);
• ▸directorates attached to Sustainable Development (integrated into the Ministry of Ecological Transition).

This messaging system serves both office-based staff and field personnel, in central administrations as well as decentralised directorates.

Beyond sending and receiving emails, Mélanie2web integrates a genuine collaborative suite that most agents use at only about 30% of its actual capacity.

Secure messaging

The foundational function is professional email management: sending, receiving, forwarding attachments, managing folders and intelligent filters. Advanced search allows users to find any message in seconds using filters by sender, date or attachment. Communications are encrypted and anti-phishing protection is built in natively.

Shared calendar and address book

The shared calendar lets users check colleagues' availability, schedule meetings by verifying free slots and view department leave schedules at a glance. The global address book provides access to the ministry's complete directory, with personal contact synchronisation.

Shared task management

The platform enables the creation of task lists, assignment of responsibilities and tracking of collective project progress. This feature is particularly useful for project teams working on cross-departmental files.

Storage and archiving

Each account has 20 GB of standard storage. Automatic archiving, activatable in preferences, allows retention of up to 85,000 additional messages without counting against the main quota. The attachment sending limit is 25 MB per message.

Three connection methods are available depending on the agent's situation.

Direct connection via the official URL

The simplest method is to visit mel.din.developpement-durable.gouv.fr, the current official address. The old address melanie2web.din.developpement-durable.gouv.fr now redirects to the new one. Simply enter your professional ID and password.

Connection via the Cerbère portal

This is the most common method. The Cerbère portal (authentification.din.developpement-durable.gouv.fr) is the State's single sign-on system. A single Cerbère ID provides access to Mélanie2web, the ministerial intranet and all operational applications. Credentials are provided by the Information Systems Department (DSI) when taking up a post.

Connection via France Connect

France Connect allows users to leverage credentials from an existing public service — Impots.gouv.fr, Ameli.fr, La Poste — to access Mélanie2web. This option is particularly useful when Cerbère credentials have been forgotten or for agents who prefer to centralise their access points.

Security is one of the key advantages of Mélanie2web over consumer messaging platforms. Multiple protection layers are in place:

• ▸Encrypted communications: all exchanges are protected end-to-end;
• ▸Sovereign hosting: servers are located in France, under State control, with no dependency on major US tech companies;
• ▸Full GDPR compliance: maximum protection of personal data in accordance with European regulations;
• ▸Anti-phishing and anti-spam protection: automatically updated filters;
• ▸Secure authentication: connection via Cerbère or France Connect, with progressive strengthening towards multi-factor authentication.

Sensitive data handled by agents — citizen files, confidential administrative documents, inter-ministerial exchanges — thus benefit from a protection level appropriate to their sensitive nature.

Hayot Expertise advice: whenever a portal concentrates messaging, application access and document exchange, the right frame is to think about access rights, documentation trails, confidentiality obligations and internal organisational clarity — not just technical usability. The quality of access governance often determines the actual security of the system, well beyond technical guarantees.

2026 marks a major turning point for Mélanie2web. The government launched a comprehensive modernisation project for administrative digital tools in 2025, with the aim of unifying the messaging systems scattered across different ministries.

What is actually changing

The new national messaging system brings several significant developments:

• ▸Doubled storage capacity: increase from 20 GB to 40 GB per account;
• ▸Unlimited archiving: removal of the 85,000 archived email cap, subject to seniority conditions;
• ▸Modernised interface: redesign completed in 2025, more intuitive and aligned with current standards;
• ▸Integrated videoconferencing: no more juggling between messaging and third-party tools;
• ▸Collaborative workspaces: file sharing, co-editing of documents, project management;
• ▸AI assistant: automatic email sorting, reply suggestions, priority detection;
• ▸Next-generation mobile application: redesigned iOS and Android interface with intelligent notifications.

Deployment schedule

The migration follows a progressive timetable to avoid any service interruption:

• ▸Q4 2025: pilot phase with 5,000 volunteer agents (Ecological Transition and Agriculture);
• ▸Q1 2026: feedback, bug fixes and adjustments;
• ▸Q2 2026: deployment to the Ministry of Ecological Transition (15,000 agents);
• ▸Q3 2026: deployment to the Agriculture, Housing and Transport ministries (30,000 agents);
• ▸Q4 2026: completion of migration and support for remaining users.

The migration is automatic: emails and contacts are transferred in full. Each DSI contacts agents 4 to 6 weeks before their scheduled migration date.

A few simple habits can help agents get the most from the platform on a daily basis:

• ▸Organise your mailbox: create folders by project or department, set up automatic filters for recurring emails, use colour labels to prioritise;
• ▸Manage your storage space: regularly delete emails with large attachments, empty the trash monthly, activate automatic archiving;
• ▸Strengthen security: change your password every 90 days, use a password manager, systematically verify the actual sender of suspicious messages;
• ▸Configure your electronic signature: name, role, full contact details for consistent professional identification.

CTA: Structure your document workflows and sensitive access management

Is Mélanie2web free for civil servants?

Yes, Mélanie2web is entirely free for all civil servants belonging to the five covered ministries. The platform is funded and managed by the State through the DIN. No subscription, storage or usage fees are charged to agents.

What is the difference between MEL and Mélanie2web?

MEL (Messagerie Électronique) is the generic name for the ministerial messaging system as a whole. Mélanie2web is specifically the web interface for accessing it from a browser. The two terms are commonly used interchangeably, but MEL also encompasses mobile applications and messaging clients like Thunderbird or Outlook via IMAP/SMTP.

Can Mélanie2web be used with Outlook or Thunderbird?

Yes, Mélanie2web is compatible with messaging clients via IMAP and SMTP protocols. Standard settings are: IMAP server mel.din.developpement-durable.gouv.fr (port 993, SSL), SMTP server mel.din.developpement-durable.gouv.fr (port 465 or 587). Exact settings may vary by ministry and should be confirmed with the local DSI.

How do I recover a forgotten Mélanie2web password?

Reset is done via the Cerbère portal (authentification.din.developpement-durable.gouv.fr) by clicking "Forgotten password", or via France Connect if that login method is used. In case of a complete lockout, contact your ministry's DSI with your agent ID. The typical unlock timeframe is 24 to 48 working hours.

Is Mélanie2web accessible from abroad?

Yes, the platform is accessible from any country via a web browser with an internet connection. However, some connections from sensitive countries may trigger temporary security alerts. Using a ministry-provided VPN is recommended when travelling abroad, especially when handling sensitive data.

In 2026, Mélanie2web remains the reference secure messaging system for civil servants across five French ministries. With its comprehensive collaborative features, sovereign hosting and GDPR compliance, it is a robust and reliable professional tool. The ongoing migration to the new national messaging system — doubled capacity, integrated videoconferencing, AI assistant — represents a major evolution that will further enhance agent productivity.

Want to map the impact of your communication and document-sharing tools on your internal processes? Our firm can help you frame the flows and the organisational governance points. Book an appointment with an expert

(Official sources: Mélanie2web portal, Ariane guide, CMVRH digital tools guidance from SNUM)