Reconnect with the living, immerse yourself in a timeless bubble, share a passion: three mantras for an ideal summer, as recommended by Christelle Ferrière, deputy director of the Agence Savoie Mont-Blanc. “Summer visitors are not only looking for nature, but also for biodiversity. They want to live sensory experiences in the open air; micro-adventures, between altitude refuges or tree houses; take mountain trains; navigate by boating, riding an electric bike, walking with horses or donkeys… Because the mountains demand that you take your time. It can also be a participatory trail in favor of a noble cause, a trail restoration campaign, a waste clean-up operation, etc.”
Similarly, on the coasts, activities are developing without limit and are emerging as the best vectors for immersion in nature. Whatever the place, sport for all, leisure or simple contemplation are now accompanied by an eco-responsible commitment. And even if the awareness seems late, we hope it will be inexorable.
Confidential Drôme Provence
In the Drôme, we revel in the lavender fields, perched villages and wild rivers, a carbon-free discovery to be made aboard a Yuba recumbent electric bike. From €460/pers./4 days/3 nights/bike and bivouac equipment at the farm included. Departure near Montélimar station. Tailor-made course on paths.travel.
And not far… In the Baronnies Provençales, suggested itineraries on ladrometourisme.com.
At the sources of the Buëch
Winner of the “Unsuspected Territories” challenge which rewards eco-responsible stays, the Retrouvance itinerant hike, guided by a mountain guide, plunges into the heart of the Buëch. Nights in renovated forest houses and local meals to limit the carbon footprint. €710/pers./6 days/5 nights, full board: sources-du-buech.com
And also… Retrouvance organizes a tour of five renovated forest cabins in the Haut-Verdon/Parc du Mercantour, on the same principle, with access via the Train des Pignes. verdontourisme.com
Ethical, united and intense
In the Haut-Jura, Sophie Lepape created the Ames Vagabondes agency to share her passion for the mountains through micro-adventures with multiple themes, provided they are ethical, supportive and respectful of natural balances. Welcome in his eco-designed cottage. amesvagabondes.com And jura-tourism.com.
The entire Jura massif on mountains-of-jura.fr
A hike-yoga at altitude
In Pralognan-la-Vanoise, a yoga teacher, Ayurveda therapist, and a mountain guide offer four-day hikes on remote routes in the Vanoise National Park, with breathing techniques, meditation and yoga. For another look at the mountain. From one hour and a half to seven hours of walking per day. From €790/3 nights in a refuge: pralognan.com and [email protected]
The Japanese version of the forest
In line with the Japanese tradition Shinrin Yoku, forest bathing in the Haut-Giffre massif with practitioner and mountain guide Claire Philipczyk consists of a slow walk to slow down the heart rate and awaken to the energy and sensations (colors and sounds) diffused by the trees. €25/half day. nature-quintessence.fr
The jewels of the Bruche
The Vosges valley of La Bruche is an unknown place that the inhabitants are ready to reveal to you, with anecdotes and love of the territory in support. More than 100 guided outings promote the environment and heritage, from bird watching to the secrets of the miners’ “savoir-fer”. Program on valleedelabruche.fr
All the Vosges (and 10 family hikes) on massif-des-vosges.fr.
Secrets of Haut-Languedoc
The Regional Natural Park of Haut-Languedoc is to be discovered urgently. A fan of “slow travel”, Serge offers star-shaped hikes from the eco-responsible gîte at the Château de Colombières-sur-Orb, to the gorges of Colombières and Héric, the summit of Caroux and its mouflon reserve… Ideal in June and september. From €650/pers./5 days, 5 nights, full board (indicative price, based on 6 people): sergecinquin.fr
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Vanlife, the dream life of traveling people
Van fashion has been brought up to date with electric motor vehicles. Blacksheep was therefore right and its modern and very comfortable models are perfect for traveling stays. Similar to cars and not motorhomes, vans can park (almost) anywhere. To be sure not to infringe any legislation (national parks for example), Blacksheep puts you in touch with a network of individuals who agree to welcome the van in return for a right of residence. 400 km/day included. 38 agencies, including Lyon, Grenoble, Ajaccio, Bordeaux… blacksheep-van.com
• In the Vosges Mountains, the Nuit Estivale des Refuges is an opportunity to discover the biodiversity of the places in the company of passionate volunteers. From June 22 to 25, www.terredest.fr
• 1 discarded cigarette butt pollutes 500 liters of water! The Mountain Riders association organizes educational projects and waste collection actions to raise awareness of eco-socio-environmental issues. With a zero waste objective in 2030, in conjunction with all the major mountain players. mountain-riders.org
The Vermeille coast, marvelous side
In this territory of Occitania blooming between sea and hills, each meter traveled awakens our senses and justifies its name.
About ten kilometers separate Collioure from Banyuls-sur-Mer via Port-Vendres. This short distance reveals a succession of landscapes that invite detours. On foot, you have to get lost towards Cap Béar for its atmosphere as well as for its astonishing village of bunkers. According to the coastal reliefs, some beaches – Oil, Paulilles, Sana… – encourage sea bathing and sunbathing. You should also climb the hills above Puig del Mas, prolong the pleasure of walking through the Cerbère-Banyuls nature reserve, then continue along the coastal paths to Cerbère (10 kilometers more), which open onto Spain.
A land of vineyards, and therefore of wine tourism, the Côte Vermeille reveals the other face of its strong personality. Here the visual as well as the gustatory senses are exercised, the first without moderation, the others with good reason. A first approach is offered by the ecological lodgings of 9 Caves, in the very heart of the village of Banyuls-sur-Mer. In this surprising place, you can learn about organic farming and taste this special sweet wine from the region.
Throughout this trip, the sea offers itself to the gaze. It then remains to dive into the marine reserve of Cerbère-Banyuls, which was the first created in France. There, Delphine and Julien, founders of Plongée Bleue, adapt the rhythm of the immersions according to the crowds, ecological requirements and preservation of the seabed oblige. RR
Other breakaways to follow on tourism-occitanie.com
Information
La Grande-Motte, a municipality 70% covered in green spaces, has developed an “art and biodiversity” trail. It also houses the Sea Turtle Care Center. More broadly, various municipalities in the Pays Pyrénées Méditerranée are committed to the TACCT approach (Territorial Climate Change Adaptation Trajectories).