Going Greener In France
If you’re planning a greener holiday in France, then you might want to explore Alsace in 2010.
The region has an increasing choice of green accommodation from hotels and lodges to farms. For eco-holiday activities, Alsace boasts two nature parks, 21 nature reserves, wildlife parks, 1,300+ kms of marked cycle touring routes and locations ideal for walking, horse riding, canoeing and climbing.
Over half of the 20 Hôtels au Naturel that are found throughout France are in Alsace. These hotels meet strict criteria including “respect of the local region and its heritage, preservation of traditional working practices and preservation of the environment”.
Some of these hotels are:
- Villa Rosa in southern Alsace whose owner, Anne Rose, is a qualified nature guide.
- La Rochette in the Vosges Mountains and known for its seasonal food sourced only from local producers.
- Le Cheval Blanc close to the Vosges du Nord national park and popular for hiking.
Les Gîtes Panda are situated near nature trails and footpaths within the Ballons des Vosges and the Vosges du Nord national parks. All Gîtes Panda offer a trunk with guides on how to identify the local fauna and flora, maps, local history and environmental information, games and activities for children and two pairs of binoculars.
Traditional working farms called fermes-auberges are yet another eco-friendly option in Alsace. Situated in the Vosges Mountains, there are 50+ of these farms which are self-sufficient and offer home-produced organic food and often accommodation.
For greener transportation, there is a TGV Est high speed train link. A train journey from London to Strasbourg will take approximately five hours using Eurostar and the TGTV with the trains going through Alsace stopping at the other main centres, Colmar and Mulhouse.
Images courtesy of Alsace Tourist Board
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
Digg
Facebook
Twitter
StumbleUpon
Instagram
Delicious
Plurk
There are some great deals on French railways, fast and clean! Why not combine a trip to Alsace with a visit to the Loire Valley and stay in our Eco-Friendly gites, local produce, bikes and rural peace.
great ideas- thanks!
.-= jessiev´s last blog ..Where the Road Goes =-.
The second photo looks stunning. I miss France very much right now. Would love to travel through Alsace.
.-= Erica´s last blog ..Music That Makes Me Happy: Run Away =-.
Thanks Erica! France is an easy destination to miss and dream about traveling.
That was a nice reading something about my country… Thanks
I’ve actually never been to Alsace. I used to live in the Loire Valley and I’ve visited Brittany, Normandy and some of the Alps, but never Alsace. Something I’ll definitely try to rectify asap.
.-= Loup Dargent´s last blog ..Jimmy Sangster: The Man From Hammer =-.
Alsace is a region of great food, wine and natural beauty, yet few in America think of traveling there – they don’t know what they’re missing!
.-= Global Patriot´s last blog ..Fossil Fuel Fundamentals – Oil =-.
Difficult to imagine greener than our Loire Valley, with great wine and a TGV fast speed train only 45 min from Paris to Vendôme.
Also fabulous wines…But you have those in Alsace too. Our favorite is Kaeferkopf
Thanks Marnie!
Oh how I want to go back to France. I would love to travel it by train and the TGV Est high speed train link looks like the way to go. The Alsace was one of the first wine regions we ever visited outside of Canada. It would be nice to go back and see it again.