Languedoc B&B in a converted barn, France
How this holiday makes a difference
Environment
• I am totally committed to providing environmentally friendly accommodation. This is the second eco-friendly house I have built and I believe both in the health benefits and in reducing the impact on the environment. My overall budget was no bigger than a standard renovation - I just chose to allocate more of my money to certain items and less to others. It's all about choosing what you spend your money on, not how much you have! The property has been built using eco-friendly materials/principals (new well insulated roof, hemp wall insulation, double glazing for all windows and glazed doors, fermacell board for the wet areas, eco-paints and varnishes, all wood procured from FSC approved sources, etc. etc.). I have also installed solar hot water, geothermal underfloor heating + a wood burner for chilly evenings.
• All cleaning and hygiene products used are organic/eco-friendly (shampoo, shower gel, soaps, detergent, washing up liquid, etc. etc.).
• All plastics, tins, glass, paper and cardboard are recycled - guests are informed of this and encouraged to recycle as much as possible.
• Meals are made using local/organic ingredients wherever possible!
• A welcome card greets guests and encourages environmentally friendly behaviour (not wasting water, not asking for towels to be washed every day, recycling policy, etc.).
• I chose to buy a house in a village where the water supply is from a spring (particle and UV filtered) and where there is a reed bed sewerage treatment plant.
• Since there is no public transport here, I plan my trips out of the village in order to group my errands in a way that minimises the number of km's I travel.
• Having explored the area extensively I have familiarised myself with the local flora and fauna (a constant and very enjoyable learning process) - and have chosen to call my house La Rassada which is the Occitan name for the ocellated lizard - an endangered species which is locally quite common, hoping to draw attention to it and encourage its protection locally. SPRING 2012 update: I have now discovered an entire family of these beautiful creatures living in various piles of rock and stones around the property ;-))))
• I offer spring holidays to see the numerous species of wild orchids we have in this limestone area and make sure that people understand NOT to pick the wild flowers.
• As a member of the local Regional Nature Park commission for "Rural spaces, natural habitat and landscape" I am actively involved in the promotion of ecological corridors and in encouraging the wider local community to include these in their planning documents.
I fell in love with this area mostly because of its totally unspoilt and "wild" nature - and will do everything I can to keep it that way whilst sharing it with guests who respect these values.
Community
• The services of local guides are strongly encouraged for birdwatching and I provide guests with the calendar of activities organised by the local Regional Nature Park.
• As many of my supplies and food stuffs as possible are sourced from small local producers who respect the environment and I prefer to recommend those restaurants that I know work with local suppliers.
• The season here is short and that is why I promote my B&B mainly in the spring and in the autumn - to encourage people to visit out of the main summer holiday season. If more of us can do this, the local businesses will benefit.
• As a member of the village council (unpaid position!) I try to promote environmentally friendly policies and hope to influence the upcoming urban planning document.
• A founder member of the local Slow Food group and a founder member of a local veggie basket system whereby we sign a three monthly contract with a local market gardener - I do what I can to support direct purchasing from local suppliers (which ensures a better return for their produce by cutting out the middle men).
• I also offer local honey for sale (at cost) to guests and encourage people to visit the honey maker.
• And last but far from least I serve organic wine made by the two village winemakers! And its great quality too...
Promoting sustainable eco-tourism is one way that small rural communities like Feuilla can survive (population of less than 100).
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