Sustainable tourism in Charente-Maritime

Customs in terms of tourism have changed! Less distant destinations are now preferred. New trends have therefore emerged. They have the advantage of being as economical for the planet as for your wallet. We take an overview of the concepts of ecological holidays and good practices to adopt to be an eco-responsible tourist in Charente-Maritime!

Opening photo: Madame Island and its road which is revealed at low tide - Photo credit © Lurii / AdobeStock

Slow-tourism and Micro-tourism

Slow-tourism is a concept of slow tourism. The idea is simple, we disconnect from our hectic daily life, to reconnect with nature and take the time to enjoy our holidays quietly. This awareness of one's environment leads to ecological concerns.

Micro-tourism, on the other hand, offers exotic experiences close to home. The advantages are to waste less time on journeys, to have more for activities; save budget on transport costs to allocate more to outings; and of course to reduce its carbon footprint.

We are going to offer you a set of good practices to adopt to be an eco-responsible tourist:

• Avoid destinations that are too far away and favor micro-tourism;
• Use environmentally friendly modes of transport;
• Choose an alternative and responsible accommodation;
• Pick up your waste and sort it;
• Pay attention to your local environment: where you walk, what you pick up...

Eco-labels for tourist accommodation

Choosing an eco-labeled tourist rental is an essential element of your ecological approach! You thus ensure that the accommodation chosen is committed to respecting their environment. The criteria are very varied and relate as much to renewable energies as to the saving of resources such as water, efficient waste management or ecological maintenance. Our selection of responsible housing:

Follow the principles of “Soft Mobility” to get around

Soft mobility is aptly named since it includes all modes of transport that are gentle on the planet. But this is not its only asset. It is also very economical and mostly sporty. Walking and cycling, bus, coach, carpooling, train and tram… are at your disposal to help you move in green mode. Here are a few tips :

• The softest mode of travel is walking. To combine business with pleasure, you will walk the charming country lanes, the forest paths and the long-distance hiking and Compostela routes.

• You are more of a cyclist. The bicycle is widely recommended for ecological travel. To practice it in all serenity, remember to inform yourself about the many greenways, cycle paths and cycle routes, made available to coexist with motorists. In Charente-Maritime, it's easy because it's generally flat and the department is well provided with cycle routes.

• For your intercity journeys, use public transport. In addition, they are very practical for families with children.

The seaside resorts of Charente Maritime labeled "Blue Flag"

Do you know the Blue Flag label? It is based on environmental quality criteria, concerning the management of beaches and the coast, but also the preservation of the seabed in the maritime domain of the municipalities. As a tourist, you make sure you are relaxing on a clean beach, swimming in pristine water, and doing a bit for the ocean!

• La Rochelle: the beaches of Chef de Baie, la Concurrence, les Minimes
• Le-Bois-Plage-en-Ré: Gros-Jonc, Les Gollandières
• Le-Grand-Village-Plage: Giraudière Beach
• Royan: Le Chay
• On the island of Oléron: Boyardville beach, La Gautrelle beach, Plaisance beach, Sables Vignier beach, the large beach of Saint-Trojan-les-Bains, Gatseau

The most beautiful villages of Charente-Maritime, classified as “Green Stations”

The “green station” label rewards villages that make an effort towards an ecological transition, in terms of recycling, renewable energies and management of their territory. The green resorts of Charente-Maritime:

• Jonzac
• Cozes

The “Grand Site de France” in Charente

The Federation of “Grands sites de France” was created to protect areas whose environment, heritage and panoramas are the most beautiful in France. These are top notch tourist sites. In Charente-Maritime, the great site of France is nestled between the Charente Estuary and the Seudre Estuary. This is the Marais de Brouage, near Rochefort and its arsenal.

The natural parks of Charente-Maritime

Territories classified as “Natural Park”, “Natural Reserve” or “Natura 2000” are protected sites for their fauna and flora. You can discover them, being very careful not to leave any trace of your passage. In Charente-Maritime, the following natural areas are accessible:

• The Aiguillon Bay National Nature Reserve
• The Natural Reserve of Lilleau des Niges on the Ile de Ré
• The Brouage Marshes Nature Reserve
• The bird marsh of the island of Oléron
• The Moëze-Oléron Nature Reserve
• The Grand Marais Papineau Bird Sanctuary
• The Marais d'Yves Nature Reserve
• Vitrezay Nature Center
• The Nature Pole of the Cabin of Less

Eco-responsible tourism activities

Having fun during family activities, while being a responsible tourist, is possible! We give you some ideas, to please the whole family, without ecological impact:

• Unusual discovery of the northern coast of the island of Oléron by sea kayak
• The best kitesurfing spots in Charente-Maritime
• Bucolic paddle or canoe-kayak trip on the Rompsay Canal in La Rochelle
• Rent a boat in La Rochelle, for cabotage along the Charentaise coast
• Exotic journey to the heart of the Bambouseraie de Matha
• Mornac-sur-Seudre, invitation to travel on the banks of the estuary
• Discovery of the Sèvre Niortaise and Marans over the water
• The Vélorail of Saintonge

Charente-Maritime markets and producers

Going to a market means meeting local producers, tasting local products, favoring the local economy and reducing your carbon footprint by getting supplies through short circuits. We take you to the markets and to the Charente producers:

• The Central Market of Royan, the kingdom of joviality (fr)
  
• Eat local with the Ré-Unis producer farm!
• Taste organic kiwis from Meux
• The Cristal du Saunier in Oléron
• The Sauniers of the Ile de Ré: the secrets of white gold
• Ile de Ré Seaweed
• Evelyne Ménagé's saffron

Traditional restaurants, farms and inns in Charente-Maritime

Peckish ? It's time to go to an establishment, favoring seasonal and local products. To be sure to stay in the pure Charente tradition, nothing better than going to an authentic farm, a picturesque inn or a traditional restaurant :

• The Domain of Beaulieu
• Restaurant Like at home
• In the former food store in Rochefort, the Restaurant les Vivres invites you to taste the cuisine of Chef Grégory Coutanceau, with the only rule: “the good, the beautiful and the healthy”.
• Bar André and its mouclade

Wine tourism in Charente-Maritime

And to accompany its delicious local dishes, all that's missing is a good wine. To practice ecologically responsible wine tourism, we offer estates committed to respecting their land and ancestral know-how, and which are involved in the sustainable development of viticulture.

• The Vineyard Vincent, labeled "High Environmental Value"
• The “Cognac Fougerat Fanny” House in sustainable viticulture

Promote local crafts

If you want to promote the local economy and support crafts, don't hesitate to visit the designer boutiques to unearth original objects, and the workshops of craftsmen and artists to discover their works. Our good addresses:

• Loix et Savons, the artisanal soap factory of the Ile de Ré
• La Cabane Ritou and the baskets of Oléron
• Abeille de Ré: artisanal honey house, hive product shop on the Ile de Ré

We hope to have made you want to visit Charente-Maritime in a different way and we wish you a good eco-responsible holiday.

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