Rural accommodation in South of France

We buy organic fruit, vegetables, wine and cheese locally. We support traditional methods for the grape harvest – hand-picked, horse-power and manually pressed grapes. We also support local heritage days of dry–stone walling or transforming olives, pruning and grafting ancient varieties etc. We use local businesses for boat/bike hire or horse-riding and a local building contractor. We also encourage guests to eat at the local restaurant.

We participate in most local and traditional events and try to integrate tourism. We introduce guests to local traditions and we are knowledgeable of the culture and history of the region. We encourage young musicians by organising concerts onsite. We are members of an association which helps local people with disabilities. We try to provide organic food as far as possible, either home grown or bought directly from the local producers of wine, vegetables, goats cheese etc. We can introduce you directly to these farms and arrange tours and tastings.

We’re qualified in organic agriculture. We buy ecological paints from a local business and also grain and seed from local producers. We have solar electricity, and solar water-heating. We have several different composts, long-term and short term and recycle the maximum we can. We recycle rainwater used for the garden and to flush the toilet.

We are “off the grid” i.e. solar powered. We use energy efficient light bulbs, and encourage guests to switch them off when not required. The gîte has a home-made solar water heating system and we’re thinking of setting up a workshop to demonstrate how to make one. Contact us for dates if you’re interested in taking part. There is also a compost toilet. We use ecological products for cleaning and as far as possible for the paint work and insulation.

There is an organic vegetable patch and a young orchard treated with the goat, chicken and horse manure and our home-made plant “teas” to fertilize or to combat pests we plant plants to encourage predators of aphids etc. We also use green manures and have several composts to recycle kitchen waste, plant waste, ash or manure and straw, often finding there’s not enough kitchen waste to feed the chickens that’s also why it’s important the food is organic. They’re also fed on brought in organic grain and they’re free range. Guests will find several different “waste” bins at their disposal.

We’re pleased to explain to children on holiday the importance of conservation and recycling they can enjoy botanic walks whilst strolling with the goats.