Sustainable tourism:
An eco-responsible campsite in Ardèche

At La Châtaigneraie, no asphalt, earthworks, or concrete:

Our facilities, constructions and roads have been designed to preserve the permeability of the soil and limit our impact on the original landscape as much as possible.

The paths are gravel, the terraces and the wooden floors of the accommodations are placed on slabs and piles in order to limit contact with the ground. Techniques that make it possible to reconcile the needs of human activities and the preservation of the environment.

The pitches are delimited by the vegetation of the land, mainly chestnut trees, stone walls (the faïsses) rebuilt and maintained, and the natural relief.

At La Châtaigneraie, no plastic:

The campsite facilities, equipped with tents and cabins, are mainly made of wood and cotton canvas which contribute to their integration into the landscape.

The indoor and outdoor wooden furniture was also chosen for its maintenance, durability and recycling capabilities.

The accommodations have all been designed and fitted out in connection and in harmony with the natural environment.

At La Châtaigneraie, we recycle and imagine:

The reception and grocery areas are former worksite canteens, renovated and clad in wood.

Their furniture was naturally designed with our family furniture and personal creations.

Two shipping containers were recycled and clad in wood for our workshop and storage use.

The majority of office equipment, computers and telephones are refurbished second-hand devices.

The campsite has a “Green’up” charging station for electric or hybrid cars. Rental of electrically assisted mountain bikes. Carpooling is encouraged on routes between the village of Les Vans and the campsite. A shuttle service is available to connect with TER bus services in Les Vans.

Here there is no air conditioning but the shade of the chestnut trees and the evening breeze from the foothills of the Serre de Barre, summit of the Cévennes.

All water points are equipped with pressure reducers. Watering is supplied by the agricultural water network.

Warm-coloured LED lighting was chosen to limit the impact on biodiversity.

The paths of the campsite are equipped with solar garlands. Insects and birds are not disturbed and starry skies are magnified!

On site, each pitch can have its own compost container. A selective sorting area is available and instructions are shared to facilitate and encourage this process.

The maintenance of the garden is proposed to the children for a participative discovery.

The playground is the space where children often meet to make huts, create and imagine with nature…

With daily gestures, more responsible consumption:

• Be attentive to our impact on the environment
• Contributing together to reduce our waste
• Reusing objects and adopting sorting gestures for efficient recycling

Together, we choose a more sustainable and mindful way of living.