Environmental policy and sustainable tourism

Would you like to spend an invigorating holiday without worrying about the “environmental impact”?
Come and discuss it with us in the Cevennes 🙂

Isis campsite is a committed campsite!

Respect for the environment and biodiversity has always been at the heart of its philosophy. And its commitments are now recognised by, among others, France’s National Parks via their “Esprit Parc National” brand, as well as via the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism, to which the campsite is a signatory 🙂

All this guarantees you exceptional holidays in harmony with the generous nature that is offered to us in this exceptional Cevennes region

Our establishment is based on the 2 reference frameworks that are the 17 axes of sustainable development determined by Unesco and the ISO 260000 standard (CSR), while remaining in close collaboration with the Cevennes National Park

Discover here

Our environmental policy: landscapes, fauna, flora, water, waste, energy, etc
Our “sustainable tourism” policy: accessibility and welcoming an unusual public
Waste sorting and recycling: always good to know…
The European Sustainable Tourism Charter
Some links to remarkable websites

Situation

The Isis campsite in the Cevennes was laid out in 1975 (and successively extended in 1976, 1981 and 2008) on former orchards. When redesigning our pitches, we take care to leave wide open spaces and choose tree species that recall the previous use of the land, with fruit trees to delight children, birds and hedgehogs! 😉

The campsite is bordered to the south and north by open spaces (mown meadows), to the west by the wooded mountain and, to the east, by a canal: the little river Herault and our little “wild and mysterious island” on which many riverside animals find shelter

Landscape

The campsite’s activities have little impact on the landscape: our buildings, for which we favour local or recyclable materials (wood, stone, iron), are discreet and hidden in summer and winter by a variety of vegetation

Flora

Greater plant diversity than in a meadow or orchard
No use of pesticides: the soil and, consequently, the water table are less polluted than in a conventional farm
Most of the trees are local species, chosen for their strong roots or small size, which means they don’t need to be pruned drastically
Shrubs, too, are left “free to grow”, as we give them room to flourish between the pitches

Wildlife

The many trees and open spaces are a favourite haunt for birds, which can be seen in great variety on the domaine and along the banks of the Herault. Wildlife also benefits from the absence of toxic sprays

Water

The domaine has been used for farming since ancient times, as the land is rich and water abundant
The campsite consumes large quantities of water, which is treated by an independent sanitation system (septic tanks and septic fields renovated in 2008)
We are actively working on the installation of dry toilets. However, there is still a long way to go in this area, particularly at the technical level, in order to maintain the same ease of use as with flushing toilets…

Waste management

Household waste is collected by our local authority
Packaging and glass are also collected
Plants and other biodegradables are composted on the domaine

Energy

Apart from the fact that we are happy to be able (for part of the year at least) to use renewable electricity from our small hydroelectric power station, we are making increasing use of the famous energy-saving light bulbs, we pre-heat (as far as possible with the shade) some of the water in the sanitary facilities using solar energy, and we prefer to use wood to heat our homes and our bar/restaurant

Social, cultural and economic impact

The economy of our region, which suffered from industrial decline, is now partly based on tourism. Our current and future guests contribute to this economy directly through their purchases or their participation in sporting, cultural and gastronomic activities, and indirectly through our investments, our taxes and our staff
The wealth you bring contributes to improving the quality of life of our fellow citizens. Our elected representatives are also committed to preserving and promoting our heritage, landscapes, hiking trails, river water quality, Unesco World Heritage status, the Cevennes National Park and Natura 2000 areas…

Awareness

We take every opportunity during walks, events for children or at the reception desk to stress the importance of respecting natural areas, fauna, flora and water

We work hard every day to respect the environment, but we know that we still have a long way to go if we are to leave our children a beautiful planet to live in 🙂

Introducing the campsite and our “sustainable tourism” policy

Is there any better place to meet people than on holiday?
The campsite, this space of nature and relaxation with no concrete limits, is the ideal setting for encounters: those that we rarely make in our daily lives, too often isolated in our house, our flat, our home, our “centre”, our big city district…
Everyone is welcome, with a smile to keep things friendly:

For people with reduced mobility: some of our sanitary facilities are adapted to your situation, the paths are levelled, the services (reception, restaurant, bar, food, multisport ground, swimming pool beach, SPA approach, meeting rooms) are accessible to you (please note: no launching apparatus for the SPA and swimming pool)
For the visually impaired: the domaine’s birds rehearse extraordinary concerts for you all year round (some sanitary facilities are also practical: very bright, spacious cabins, etc.). You will also appreciate the free classical music auditions in our small Romanesque chapel
For the hearing impaired: we haven’t pruned our shrubs for over 35 years, our trees are splendid, our bar and restaurant are decorated with artistic creations… In short, we attach great importance to “beauty” in the Cevennes….
You won’t be bothered by our loudspeakers (there aren’t any outside anyway!)
For the mentally challenged: if you get lost, don’t worry! You’ll always find a kind soul to help you, and our simplified signs will help you too
For people who aren’t used to getting out of town: don’t worry, it generally goes well and, if you’re feeling nervous, there’s plenty of space to run and sing your heart out, and Montpellier and Nîmes are only an hour’s drive away 🙂
For ALL, you should know that the campsite will be able to adapt to you, its only limits being set by mutual respect, respect for nature, respect for the site and its environment. We are also open to any suggestions you may have to improve our facilities for an “unusual” public

Waste sorting and recycling

For over 45 years, we have been inviting our guests to sort their waste: glass and compostable waste. And, since the introduction of other channels, paper, plastic and other packaging have also been sorted and recycled

The European Charter for Sustainable Tourism

Of which Isis campsite is a signatory!
This is just recognition, because campsites are, by their very nature, respectful of the places they occupy: nature, the open air, etc. are their capital.
If we cease our activity, we won’t be leaving behind tonnes of concrete but, at most, a few small buildings and tarmac roads that will soon disappear (tarmac is an excellent fertiliser!).
The mobile home cycle is now complete: many manufacturers are careful to use only recyclable materials.
What’s more, because of the social mix of our clientele and our large capacity, we’re in a privileged position to raise awareness of environmentally-friendly practices among our fellow citizens.
Our customers, who stay on average for more than 8 days, are not simply consumers of the countryside; they take the time to enjoy the surroundings, thereby limiting the number of trips from hotel to B&B.
Campsite isn’t surfing!
Some people opt for the comfort of renting a chalet or mobile home, but many are content with a simple pitch with no electricity and shared sanitary facilities, thus using less energy and water.
Overnight stays in the open air, in open spaces or wooded areas, give our city-dwellers a chance to get close to nature, which is often unknown to them: the sounds of the night, the insects that are very present or the birds singing in the early hours of the morning are all extraordinary sensations that help to lift our spirits.
It’s well known: you protect what you love… 🙂

Here is the presentation of this charter

Key dates :
– 1987: Brundtland Report
– 1992: Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro
– 1993: Loving them to death report
– 1999: Official presentation of the Charter
– In 1993, commissioned by the Federation of European Nature Parks, the shockingly-titled report “Loving them to death?” recommended the drafting of a “European Charter for Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas”
The drafting of this “European Charter for Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas” was entrusted by EUROPARC (the European Federation of Protected Natural Areas) to the Federation of French Regional Nature Parks
It was drawn up between 1995 and 1998 with the support of a European steering committee representing tourism and environmental organisations. Ten European pilot parks, including the Cevennes National Park, also took part in this work
The charter was officially presented on 8 April 1999 in Lille

A clear objective:
To respond to the challenges faced by protected areas by offering the possibility of reconciling “tourism” and “environmental protection”, by working towards a form of tourism that respects (in the long term) the natural, cultural and social resources of the protected area, is supported by those involved in the protected area and is a factor in the economic development and fulfilment of those who live, work or stay in the protected area

A vision defined in twelve principles:
This charter takes on board the principles of sustainable development applied to tourism in protected areas and broken down into three areas: environmental, socio-cultural and economic, with the overall strategy being the involvement of all tourism stakeholders as part of a multi-partnership approach

To recognise that Europe’s parks are part of our heritage and must be preserved for present and future generations
To develop and manage tourism in a sustainable way, taking into account the needs of the environment, residents, tourism operators and visitors
Involve all those directly affected by tourism
Draw up and implement a sustainable tourism strategy and action plan
Offer visitors a high-quality experience during their visit
Create specific tourism products to discover the protected area
Effectively inform visitors about the specific value of the area
Disseminate knowledge of the protected area among tourism operators
Ensure that tourism does not affect the quality of life of local residents
Protect and enhance the natural and cultural heritage for the benefit of and thanks to tourism
To bring benefits to the local economy through tourism
To manage tourist flows in such a way as to reduce negative impacts

A three-part framework document:
The first, applicable to managers of protected areas, commits volunteer nature parks to a 5-year strategy and action programme in application of these principles. The certificate awarded by EUROPARC is therefore valid for 5 years
The second, applicable to voluntary tourism companies in the area, commits them to a 3-year strategy and action plan
The third applies to tour operators and coach operators who organise trips in the Park area without necessarily residing there. The conditions under which this third category of tourism operators may sign the charter have not yet been specified

Benefits for the protected area:

Practical implementation of the concept of sustainable development
An approach to progress for the whole area
A structure of privileged tourist partners of the CNP, who become “ambassadors” of the Park’s values to visitors
A positive image for the partners involved, insofar as this approach is a pilot at European level

Benefits for the tourism business:

Be distinguished at European level and have their commitments recognised, use the Park’s image and logo
Joining a network and benefiting from its dynamics, pooling and capitalising on experience through meetings, exchanges and collective training courses
Benefit from individualised technical and financial support as part of the progress initiative, and take a global approach to your business
Improve the quality of their offer by qualifying it, integrating it more effectively into the organisation of the region and communicating about the Park
Develop new commercial opportunities by targeting customer groups and observing how they evolve, by developing an off-season offer, by working in partnership to put together products
Rationalise costs: by optimising water and energy management, adopting environmental management techniques, etc

Results in Europe:

In 2004, 23 European parks signed up to this charter, including 7 French parks, including the Cevennes National Park, which signed up in 2002
5 parks are candidates to sign in 2005
The Cevennes National Park is the first park in Europe to have started approving tourism companies in its area in 2003

Because of our Cevennes origins, we are “great moralists” who preach good behaviour

Because of our Belgian origins, we are aware of the fragility of this Cevennes region

With our artistic bent, we can’t help but admire, respect and magnify it 🙂

We’re delighted to be able to help thousands of families, hundreds of city dwellers and dozens of children from disadvantaged areas to enjoy the splendour of our landscapes and the gentle, sunny Mediterranean way of life
Nature is generous and its resources are inexhaustible for those who know how to respect them
Isn’t the time for holidays and trips away from everyday life the best time to open up people’s minds?
Our challenge is huge! But we need to move quickly, and not limit ourselves to an elite that is already convinced. Our planet can’t take it any more! TAKE ACTION!!!

Some links to outstanding websites

The “Arbre aux Abeilles” association was founded on 27 May 2008 with the official aim of: “Undertaking communication, research and creative actions based on traditional know-how linked to trunk hives”
Its objectives and actions, both current and planned, are primarily concerned with the conservation of the black bee, as it survives to a remarkable extent in the mountains where we work

This goes hand in hand with the restoration and repopulation of the trunk hives that are the traditional habitat of the black bee. And this of course involves beekeeping operations proper, breeding, experiments, etc
These conservation actions are geared towards the present and the future, and encompass a whole range of communication and knowledge-sharing initiatives aimed at all types of public. Travellers, children, the elderly, beekeepers, etc