Ecoresponsible holidays in the South of France: adopt an ecofriendly behaviour!

Reduce the impact of your trips

In the tourism sector, 75% of greenhouse gas emissions are due to transport. To reduce your carbon footprint when on holiday in the South of France, just take your time! Walk or cycle and explore the region peacefully making the most of the breathtaking landscapes around you. For longer trips, use public transport such as bus or train, both excellent ways of covering the region faster. To find out about the different lines and passes available, discover all the offers of the TER/ZOU network. And if you just can’t do without a car, try carpooling. This will avoid travelling empty or hiring a car if you don’t have one. And, who knows, it might be an opportunity to meet some great people!

Leisure and activities: get into slow mode

To rhythm your holidays, choose carbon-light activities! For example, if you like hiking or cycling, there are a lot of itineraries, each one more beautiful than the last: for cycling, you can ride the Via Rhôna and La Méditerranée à Vélo (Eurovelo 8), and for hiking, you have the GR®69 La Routo which follows the pastoralism trails or the GR®5 which crosses the Alps, to name but a few. Always keep to the marked trails to avoid upsetting the wildlife around you. Walking isn’t really your thing? Try out horse rides, beach-volley, climbing, paddling, and snorkeling… or just taking it easy! For all these activities and many others, you’ll see the “Valeurs Parcs Naturel Régional” or “Esprit Parc National” labelled service providers committed to respecting and protecting the environment. If you prefer culture to nature walks, make the most of being on holiday to take the time to discover the wealth of cultural visits in the region. Modern or contemporary art, visits of firms, historic sites… There’s no lack of options for an unforgettable holiday.

During your holidays, use your energy for things other than consuming

During the summer, it can be very hot in the South of France. If you’ve chosen accommodation with air-conditioning, limit it to 26°C and don’t forget to turn it off when you go out and don’t leave the windows open while it’s on. To limit its use or to cool your non-air-conditioned lodging, you can air at timesof day when the temperatures are the lowest. It’s natural, carbon-neutral and it renews the air inside! If you come on holiday to the south of France in winter, try not to overheat your accommodation, keeping it at a maximum of 19°C, and turn off the heating when you go out. Save electricity all year round! Turn off the lights when you leave a room, unplug your electrical devices and avoid leaving your computers and mobile phones charging all night long.

Save water

In regions where there is a lot of tourism, such as the South of France, water consumption increases during the high season and can put pressure on the local water reserves. All of us, each at our own level, can play a role in protecting these resources by adopting eco-responsible behaviour. You can start by finding out what water restrictions are in force during the dry period where you are staying on the VigiEau site. For showers, washing and doing the washing-up by hand, try not to use more water than necessary and turn it off when you’re soaping yourself or brushing your teeth. It is also recommended not to use too hot water, which uses more unnecessary energy. If you want to have a bath, go to the lake or the sea! You’ll have much more room than in a little bathtub… And, lastly, avoid using the washing machine too much: sheets and towels can be used several days in a row!

Less waste, more sorting

It isn’t only water consumption that increases during the tourist period, waste does too. In the same way as for water, each of us must behave responsibly to reduce it. This of course means respecting the sorting instructions where you are staying and also the choice of reusable packaging, such as water bottles and hermetic boxes, to avoid accumulating disposable bags! If you have picnics in nature or on the beach, remember not to leave anything behind and to take a pocket ashtray with you if you smoke. And if you’re more group restaurant meals, adopt the anti-waste attitude: try not to be over-greedy to avoid throwing food away at the end of the meal, or ask for a doggy bag!

hand holding garbage bottle plastic putting into trash for cleaning

Buy local

When you visit a region you also discover its products, specialities and savoir-faire. The South of France has so much for you to discover! When you shop in the market or go to local producers you enjoy the best products, discover local savoir-faire, eat seasonal products and favour short circuits. Only the best! If you want to do some shopping, choose objects or clothes from responsible, local productions. For a meal in a restaurant, head for those who offer a cuisine based on local food and who will serve you regional specialities. And if you want to find out more about the crafts and savoir-faire of the South, visit the many firms that open their doors to the public and reveal all their secrets: perfumeries, soap factories, oil mills, wine estates, distilleries, confectioners… Happy holidays!