An eco-friendly accommodation represents a sustainable and ethical alternative for your holidays if, like us, you are concerned about preserving the environment. Thanks to initiatives in energy saving, waste management, biodiversity preservation, soft mobility, etc., an ecological accommodation offers a stay in true harmony with nature.

So discover the main characteristics that make an accommodation considered responsible.

Ecological accommodations combine energy and economy

One of the primary characteristics of eco-friendly accommodation is the type of energy chosen and its level of consumption. Eco-friendly lodgings always prefer the greenest energy possible, produced from low-carbon resources. Solar panels and wind turbines, for example, are green devices that produce clean and renewable energy. For an even more advanced approach, accommodations can also raise awareness about energy saving with numerous tips: prefer LED bulbs, choose a solar water heater, bleed radiators, cover pots while cooking, etc. But before looking to reduce energy consumption, one must ensure that it is not being wasted unnecessarily...

Priority to insulation for a truly warm eco-friendly accommodation

By focusing on effective insulation, accommodations optimize the energy spent and thus offer much more responsible and sustainable heating. Good building insulation guarantees optimal thermal comfort while reducing the need for heating and air conditioning. The icing on the cake: it's possible to opt for ecological materials for insulation, such as cork or hemp wool, which are natural materials from sustainable farming.

Waste management: Mandatory recycling, and much more!

Holidays are often the time when we produce more waste than usual but are also less rigorous about sorting. Indeed, when going on vacation, it's easy to indulge in snacks and meals where it's less simple to reduce waste.

But then, why not limit the damage by choosing an eco-friendly and active waste management accommodation? For example, you could choose a lodging committed to not using single-use plastic in hygiene and basic necessity products, and to reduce its own waste, like offering breakfast products in communal formats instead of individual ones.

An ecological accommodation can also have implemented a real waste management policy. No question of throwing cardboard or glass in the general waste bin! A first ecological action as a tourist accommodation is then to encourage recycling and waste reduction. To go further, accommodations can also offer solutions for managing organic waste, thanks to a compost bin.

Against all odds, eco-friendly accommodations celebrate biodiversity

Another aspect contributing to the eco-responsibility of an accommodation is that these lodgings make it a point of honor to preserve biodiversity by protecting green spaces and nurturing local fauna and flora.

The goal is not to impact the biodiversity present on-site due to overly intensive or polluting practices. Ecological accommodations thus create a harmonious balance with their environment, for the pleasure of the eyes and the well-being of residents.

But beyond preserving biodiversity, one can also participate in its restoration! Planting hedges, mowing the lawn less, creating a pond, or planting trees creates favorable conditions for the development of fauna and flora.

Soft transport: Eco-friendly accommodations facilitate green mobility

To limit your carbon footprint, the ideal is to choose an accommodation easily accessible by train, or at least by public transport or taxi from a station to avoid having to travel entirely by car. If the accommodation is near a station or if the public transport network allows easy access, this significantly limits its environmental impact as visitors will not have to take the car.

Other modes of soft transport exist and should be encouraged by ecological accommodations: walking and cycling are great ways to travel carbon-free!

The role of eco-responsible hosts is then to provide as much information as possible to travelers to help them reach their accommodation while reducing their carbon footprint.

Water management, or how not to make a splash, in an eco-responsible accommodation

An accommodation that aims to be eco-friendly must adopt water-saving practices: rainwater harvesting, installation of water-saving taps, or reasoned maintenance of green spaces are all part of it. To be considered an ecological accommodation, responsible water use is a must.

On the menu, responsible food in accommodations that don't cook the planet

Eco-friendly accommodations must honor local and seasonal food, thus reducing the carbon footprint associated with transporting resources. Moreover, they should encourage short supply chains and the consumption of organic products. This can be achieved, for example, by simple tips for sourcing during your stay at local markets, or by providing delicious vegetarian and vegan recipes. Because, above all, to reduce the carbon footprint related to food, there's no secret: one must reduce meat and dairy consumption... It's an opportunity to put vegetables at the center of the plate, instead of considering them just a side dish!

These practices serve a dual purpose: lightening our carbon footprint and supporting our local small producers.

Green labels, a sign of commitment for eco-friendly accommodations

Ecological accommodations often proudly display environmental labels such as the European Ecolabel, Green Key, or Green Globe. These distinctions guarantee a certified eco-responsible approach, proving that these accommodations are true champions of sustainable tourism.

By choosing a labeled eco-friendly accommodation, you are assured of living an authentic and environmentally respectful experience.

Authenticity and quality are guaranteed in our accommodations

Our GreenGo gems are all sustainable accommodations carefully selected if they have a rating above 9/10 (or 4.5/5) and possess that little "extra something": a charming setting, warm human relationships, a wildly charming garden...

The photos are also analyzed and carefully chosen to make you travel from the very first glance. In short, it's not for nothing that we call our accommodations gems!

PS: For our favorites, we sometimes make exceptions, because a rating does not always reveal all the magic of a place.

The choice of an eco-responsible commitment

We find eco-responsible accommodations, which contribute in their own way to the preservation of our planet. We converse with each host to ensure that they meet a minimum of sustainable criteria.

We have therefore created a grid of over 100 criteria to assess the sustainability of accommodations, which allows us to better understand the level of maturity of each accommodation in terms of eco-responsibility and thus we can then generate an estimate of the carbon footprint for each stay.

We have thus created a carbon footprint measurement tool for hosts, who commit to progressing towards more sustainable tourism by signing our charter. This GreenGo charter then commits all our hosts to adhere to values of environmental responsibility, sustainability, and authenticity; as well as to always offer a fair and equitable price and ensure a friendly welcome for all travelers.

No need to be perfect either, no one is, but every little effort counts!

Unusual accommodations for an atypical stay

When looking for original accommodation, unusual lodgings are THE answer. They offer a unique experience while respecting the environment. Immerse yourself in these atypical places and enjoy an extraordinary stay!

Sleeping under the stars in your bubble

If the idea of observing the stars while comfortably nestled in your cocoon appeals to you, bubble accommodations are a great idea. These ecological accommodations in season, transparent and cozy allow you to enjoy the night sky in harmony with nature.

A return to childhood in a treehouse

Snuggling up in a treehouse nestled in the heart of the forest offers your vacation a touch of adventure and magic. This experience will surely remind you of childhood memories, when with just a few wooden planks you wanted to create a hideout for the night.

A friendly and charming encounter in a bed and breakfast

Opting for bed and breakfast accommodations means you can enjoy a setting that's often very natural and quiet, and experience quality moments of sharing with hosts passionate about their region. It's the ideal solution for you if you want to combine conviviality and environmental respect.

Whether in a group or as a couple, gîtes guarantee comfort

Our gîtes offer ecological accommodation suitable for large families, groups of friends, or couples. Come and enjoy a warm and lively setting for a responsible and rejuvenating vacation.

Tiny Houses: minimalism to the fullest!

Tiny Houses, these small, eco-friendly, and well-designed homes, are the symbol of a lifestyle that combines minimalism with environmental respect. A bold and eco-friendly choice for a memorable vacation.

In short, as you can see, GreenGo offers you a wide range of eco-friendly accommodations for vacations in France under the sign of ecology and originality.

Green tourism is the art of embarking on an adventure while respecting our beautiful planet. Also called ecotourism or sustainable tourism, it involves adopting responsible practices during our getaways in France. For this, several things seem important to us, here is how we conceive green tourism:

1. Traveling Closer to Home: Because France is full of hidden treasures, varied landscapes, and wonders to discover, there's no need to go far to feel on vacation and disoriented! And choosing to travel closer to home also means deciding to significantly reduce your carbon footprint related to transport.
2. Discover Without Destroying: Green tourism is above all the desire to visit places without damaging them. We enjoy the natural and cultural wonders without degrading them, by adopting respectful and responsible behaviors.
3. Eco-Friendly Travel: In our quest for sustainable tourism, we favor soft transportation and eco-friendly accommodations. We forget polluting cars and energy-consuming hotels, turning instead to bicycles, trains, and eco-friendly lodgings in the heart of nature to experience adventures in slow tourism mode.
4. Supporting Local Initiatives: Green tourism also means promoting local expertise and traditions. We indulge in the culinary specialties of the region, buy artisanal souvenirs, and participate in activities organized by the locals to support the local economy and sustain cultures.
5. Preserving Biodiversity: Ecotourism's mission is to protect ecosystems and the species that compose them. We therefore take care not to disturb natural habitats and to respect regulations in force so as not to harm wildlife and flora.
6. Educating and Raising Awareness: And to spread a wave of green tourism in France, we take the opportunity to share our knowledge about the environment and our eco-friendly practices with anyone willing to listen. We also inform ourselves about ecological issues and exchange with other travelers and locals to enrich our worldview.

So, are you tempted to join us in our quest for less carbon-intensive and more responsible tourism?

We've convinced you to adopt a greener and more sustainable tourism, haven't we? We've thought of everything to help you achieve this goal and give you some tips to make your vacations even more eco-friendly.

Start by traveling light! Lighten your luggage to limit your carbon footprint, and only take the essentials. No need to encumber yourself on vacation!

Next, think about cooking local and seasonal. Indulge in local produce by favoring local markets and small local producers. This way, you support the local economy while reducing the carbon footprint associated with food transportation. And most importantly, reduce your consumption of meat and dairy products during your vacation for low-carbon meals.

Another tip for preserving nature: Respect marked trails when walking, pick up your trash, and avoid picking wild plants. This way, you contribute to the preservation of natural spaces for future generations.

And finally, our favorite: Adopt the slow attitude! Instead of trying to see and do everything in record time, take the time to savor each moment and each place. This slow tourism allows you to fully enjoy your vacation while reducing your environmental impact.