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.

For more info, visit the Alsace Tourist Board online. 

Images courtesy of Alsace Tourist Board

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