Mercantour hiking vacation in France

Planet

We are a membership organisation who promotes independent walking tours in the Southern French Alps that are run in a way that increases the positive impacts on our montainous and remote valley and on our environment.

Our walks are a sample of sustainable development project for remote rural areas; we are supporting small accommodations and helping them to generate the bookings that they need to live in our area. We are all guides working in partnership with the National Park. We have been awarded this label for the high quality service we provide.

The yurts are run in a way which minimizes their environment impact: composting toilets, solar electricity and providing clients with organic fruit and vegetables from the garden.

To carry lunches we use biodegradable Materbi BioBags made of the material Mater-Bi, the main component of which is cornstarch. The BioBag is 100% biodegradable and compostable.

As a company we aim be involved in pastoralism, the roots of our culture, by meeting shepherds and supporting thei way of life. All our donkeys are bred here in the Mercantour on 250 hectares that they help to keep clear from the scrub. We feel that this low impact lefstyle is essential to ensure the sustainable development of the area.

People

To maintain the importance of providing an economic contribution directly to the locals of the valley who live here all year round, favouring a network of 'chez l'habitant' hosts and always choosing local products over their industrialised, cheaper versions. This has lead us to create an alternative alimentation; Picnics made up of mixed salads, crops and vegetables from the garden, organic bread, cheeses from the region, etc. With our hosts and clients alike, we are developing an alternative idea of nutrition whereby quality, natural, reasonable price, and specific tastes (especially those of children) are united.

To manage a tourism which we control, and not be tempted to delegate or to grow; To maintain the importance of quality and of improving our services.
A question of quality in response to your demands: This year, we are proposing for your last day, an alternative trek in contrast to the classic one (lac d'allos) in order to satisfy the desires of those of you who are passionate about secret and wild mountains.
To instruct visitors to the region about pastoralism, the roots of our culture, through encounters with shepherds on our guided treks.

You will share heart-warming moments with real, full-of-life people around a well-garnished table.