The green transition encounters resistance, particularly in rural areas, raising critical questions about the roots of such opposition. This article examines how rural residents interpret the green transition and climate policies, arguing that their attitudes are shaped by the material and cultural dimensions of their place. Based on 53 interviews conducted in three diverse rural contexts in France, it explains why people in different rural areas end up sharing similar concerns. The study introduces a place-based framework that highlights the interplay between the material conditions and cultural narratives attached to rural life, producing resistance through three interconnected place-based grievances: (i) perceptions of unjust economic burdens imposed by the transition, (ii) perceived clashes with rural identities, norms, and representations, (iii) feelings of exclusion and neglect by urban decision-makers. Findings suggest that resistance to climate policies must be understood through the lens of place, emphasizing the need for context-sensitive strategies to foster rural support.