Sustainable Travel Policy

Sustainable Travel

At Provençal Adventures, we are committed to responsible and sustainable tourism that respects the natural environment and supports local communities. Our retreats are designed to minimise environmental impact while offering guests a more thoughtful and meaningful experience of Provence.

Our approach centres around three key areas: reducing emissions, respecting nature and biodiversity, and ensuring that tourism brings genuine local benefit.

Reducing Carbon Emissions

We aim to keep our environmental footprint as light as possible by making thoughtful choices across the retreat experience.

Renewable energy
Our villa is equipped with solar panels, helping us make use of renewable energy wherever possible.

Transport efficiency
We keep motorised transport to a minimum and use a single vehicle only for essential journeys to local destinations that are not easily accessible otherwise.

Local and seasonal produce
We grow fruit and olives on the property and source fresh ingredients from local producers wherever possible. This helps reduce food miles while also supporting smaller-scale agriculture in the region.

Respecting Nature and Biodiversity
A deep respect for the natural world sits at the heart of Provençal Adventures. Our retreats are designed to help guests connect with nature in a way that feels both enriching and responsible.

Living alongside wildlife
The villa is set in a beautiful wild forest, and we choose to live alongside the local wildlife rather than shut it out. We avoid electric fencing and allow the natural movement of animals around the property, including deer and wild boar, recognising that this landscape is their home as much as ours.

Nature-led experiences
Our hiking days encourage a slower and more attentive experience of the landscape, giving guests the chance to appreciate the flora, fauna and ecosystems of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur while engaging with nature in a respectful way.

Organic farming methods
We work with a local vineyard that uses organic methods and shares our belief in working with the land in a more natural and considered way.

Reducing waste
We try to avoid unnecessary plastic use across the retreat and recycle carefully through the local village facilities. Guests are also encouraged to bring reusable water bottles, which can be refilled using our filtered water system.

Supporting the Local Community
We believe tourism should contribute positively to the places it touches. A key part of our approach is making sure that our retreats support local producers, businesses and communities in a genuine and ongoing way.

Working with local producers
We source organic produce wherever possible and work closely with local farmers, food producers and artisans. This includes local cheesemakers, vegetable growers, vineyards and other small producers whose work reflects the character and quality of the region.

Supporting local businesses
Our guests spend time in nearby villages and markets, dine in local cafés and restaurants, and enjoy a wine tasting at a nearby vineyard. In doing so, the retreat helps support the small businesses and independent producers that are such an important part of local life in Provence.

Employment, Inclusivity and Access
We employ people from the local community and surrounding villages to help with the cooking and cleaning, and we believe strongly in paying fair wages for their work, time and commitment.

Provençal Adventures is an inclusive and welcoming retreat, and we do not exclude people on the basis of background, identity or orientation. Our retreats are LGBTQ+ friendly and are designed to offer a warm, respectful environment for all.

At the same time, we are always honest about accessibility. As hiking is the main activity, the retreat is not suitable for everyone, particularly some people with mobility limitations. Guests are expected to have a good level of fitness and some prior hiking experience so that the group can enjoy the experience safely and comfortably.

Through this approach, Provençal Adventures aims to offer a style of tourism that feels more considered - one that protects the beauty of the landscape, supports local life, and allows guests to experience Provence in a more meaningful way.