Self guided walking vacation in France

Planet

The vacations enable guests to enjoy the delightful countryside, to appreciate local places of historical, cultural and natural interest and to indulge in an abundance of wholesome local food – beautifully prepared and complemented with plenty of excellent wines of the region – in an amicable atmosphere; all this with negligible adverse impact on the environment.

The region has a huge diversity of trees, wild flowers, animals, birds, butterflies and aquatic creatures. Local biodiversity is almost certainly unharmed by the vacations. The local population density is only 34 inhabitants per square kilometre and guest capacity of the Chambre d'hôte is limited to 12 guests, whereas the region is vast and fertile. A balance of good soil fertility, sunshine and sufficient rainfall ensures that minor upsets to the local flora and fauna are rapidly reconciled. Natural habitats are not under pressure as a result the vacations.

A charter for the preservation of local watercourses as close as possible to their natural state engages the owners of Le Moulin du Chemin and local farmers and land owners in a commitment to avoid watercourse-pollution and to maintain watercourses in a manner that will encourage bio-diversity. The wide ranging charter includes an undertaking not to use pesticides and herbicides on land adjacent to watercourses and not to unnecessarily clear natural growth from the banks in order to nurture natural habitat for aquatic and land plants and animals.

Food miles in respect of the superb cuisine on the vacations are relatively very favourable, thus minimising pollution from transportation. A quantity of fresh vegetables is supplied from the nearby garden of Pierrot (Pierrot is aware of this). Organic beef comes from Bernard who farms adjacently. Other ingredients are local in so far as practicable.

The copious quantities of first-class wines served on the vacations (and all included in the price) are local from Anjou, Bordeaux, Fiefs Vendéen and other wine producing areas in France. Many of the wines are direct from the vineyards. Thus, the wine-miles may also be considered to be favourable.

Little things make a difference if we are all willing to make a similar effort. Here are some small environmentally friendly things that happen on the vacations.

An energy efficient fridge filled with a variety of drinks is always at the free disposal of guests. The contents of the fridge include easy-to-carry 50cl plastic bottles of mineral water. Guests are encouraged to refill the plastic bottles (and to fill and refill their stainless-steel vacuum flasks) with the very drinkable cool piped water supplied from the nearby barrage at Mervent (this water has been recycled by Nature, not by Lyonnaise des Eaux). Refilling saves both energy and pollution in connection with manufacture, transportation and disposal of plastic bottles.

Food waste arising from the vacation operation is fed to the free-range chickens on site, or if they won’t eat it, it is composted or recycled in conformity with the stringent requirements of the European Authorities.

Winter heating is mainly by logs. The logs are cut from onsite woods to avoid impact from transportation to point of use and dried naturally to avoid impact from the process of kiln drying. Regarding the carbon cycle of trees, it is noted that older trees are less effective at trapping carbon than newer growth. In the region of the Chambre d’hôte, new woodland growth is remarkably vigorous. It is therefore concluded that heating by logs in such circumstances ranks favourably vis-à-vis environmental considerations.

A postlady collects as well as delivers mail, thus eliminating the need for numerous individual journeys to the village post office.

Packed lunches are provided in non-plastic bio-degradable bags.

The pool is heated when necessary by an energy efficient heat pump.

Environmentally respectful cleaning products are used at the Chambre d'hôte.

The “carbon footprint” of city dwellers could well be less on the vacations compared with home. Le Moulin du Chemin exists without the need for a significant carbon emitting infrastructure – and guests’ activities consist mainly of walking, cycling, relaxing, eating and sleeping in an idyllic rural environment.

People

The hosts of the vacations are an integrated part of the community in which the vacations are operated. In the past the community has been detrimentally affected by lack of economic activity resulting in reduced population. Today, thanks to investment and an influx of new residents, including the proprietors of the vacations, the community is more viable. In order to help sustain this balance it is our promise to continue to procure locally all goods required for the operation of these vacations, with local provenance to the maximum extent practically possible, and all services required in connection with this vacation.

The Chambre d'hôte represents a social and economic asset in a tiny rural community.

The vacation operation was established in 1993 at a time when rural communities in the region had declined for fifty years due to lack of economic activity. The already sparse population had diminished by 65%. Creation of local employment became an official objective to revitalize these communities.

The fruit farming, cattle production and timber exploitation that exist in the region are insufficient to support a population great enough in numbers to sustain local communities. The area is attractive to visitors on account of the idyllic timelessness of the countryside and the wealth of local places of historic, cultural and natural interest. (The region was nominated by the Lonely Planet Guide as one of the top ten tourist destinations in the World for 2012). Creation of a tourist infrastructure with the associated jobs has been seen officially as a means of generating additional economic activity to attract visitors to help revive and invigorate local communities.

Large amounts of public money have been invested in restoring some significant historic sites to attract visitors. Restoration work has been sympathetically carried out and with innovative and dynamic ideas, together with the dramatic French flair for public spectacles, make the restorations come alive. These sites are well worth seeing and your visit will be appreciated.

We are family owned and operated within the said rural community and all revenues (with the exception of external marketing costs) are eventually expended within the community. Apart from the exception, all expenditures incurred to make the vacations possible are beneficial to the local community. Livelihoods of local suppliers, artisans and staff are sustained in part, due to the fact that all resources are local, as follows.

Staff in connection with provision of meals, drinks and housekeeping services is local.

Food and drinks provided for the vacations are purchased locally and much of it is produced locally.

The vacation facilities have been acquired by an external investment into the local community.

Materials and labour for maintenance and development of the vacation facilities are procured locally.

Suppliers, artisans and staff are engaged subject to their reasonable environmental protection credentials.

Guests at the Chambre d'hôte are considered to be cultural asset in the life of the community and are liked and respected by local inhabitants.