French Alps cycling holiday

Environment

On this holiday we promote the use of a sustainable, non-motorised means of transport, the bicycle, as a means to visiting the region. We respect and support local conservation projects in the area and make sure our clients are aware of the guidlines that may effect them. E.g. not littering.

We also educate them about the flora and fauna that they are likely to encounter. For example, how to behave around a herd of sheep, to inform them that they might surprise deer on the small rural roads and give them indications on how to spot other birds and plants.

All our accommodation providers are chosen according to their professionalism and their approach to responsible tourism. They source local produce, use environmental initiatives , and promote the culture of the region. Several of the gites have strong environmental criteria with regards to recycling and reducing their environmental impact. We are about to make a deal with Gite de France to use their eco certified gite suppliers.

We don’t print brochures and keep paper use to a minimum in the office preferring electronic distribution as our main means of communication with clients.
All our guides and support team are fully trained in environmental sustainability as a part of their diplomas and they educate our clients about the mountain habitat during the activities.

Community

We work closely with the Tourist Office and support their projects for sustainable tourism and in particular the impact of tourism on local agriculture (the traditional way of life in the area). We also support thier sustainable transport initiatives such as the 'closed cols' week where 5 big cols are closed to traffic and open to cylcists.

We take part in local events that support and promote farming traditions, food production and markets in our itineraries and advice for things to do for our clients to help support the farming community and raise awareness of their culture.

We are committed to promoting the food of the region and advise people on local delicacies and where they can be purchased. We promote a local organic juice supplier who make Argousier (a local wild berry) and give all clients a bottle when they arrive with information about the berry.

We are committed to promoting the culture of the region and ensuring that tourism has a positive impact. Through supporting the refuges and giving clients detailed information about how to behave when in the national park we try to ensure that people behave with respect for the environment and local people. This information includes warnings against free camping, ensuring that people eat in the refuges, carry out their litter and adhere to the rules of the park.