Sustainable tourism:
An eco-responsible campsite in Ardèche

La Châtaigneraie: a eco-responsible campsite

At La Châtaigneraie, nature welcomes us in all the variety of its resources.

The campsite is located under the slopes of the Cévennes National Park, in the heart of the Monts d’Ardèche Natural Park and a Geopark classified by UNESCO for its remarkable geological heritage.

Permanent guests of this natural environment, we share with you the values of respecting the environment and its preservation.

Since 2016, we have developed this natural area into a 3-star campsite, taking care to harmonize the reception of vacationers and the surrounding environment.

Natural facilities

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.

Local and eco-responsible products

The products on sale at the campsite grocery store are mostly organic and local, supplied by a short circuit (within a radius of 0 to 40 km).

All hygiene and maintenance products used at the campsite are chosen for their low impact on the environment and their ability to be recycled: Homemade natural products  (recipes we are happy to share) and other supplies to ecocert standards. Use of washable dishcloths for households. Hand towels and toilet paper made from recycled paper.

Energy consumption regulation

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. Shuttling is possible to the TER bus lines at 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.

The led lighting was chosen in a warm color 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!

And also, together

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

It is together participating in a sobriety chosen rather than suffered.

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