A proactive eco-friendly approach
Audrey Baccara, who settled in Arengosse, in the Landes, opened a lodge which bears her name. The light-coloured house, set in a hectare of garden, which includes a section dedicated to the vegetable plot, invites guests to discover its four totally-refurbished rooms
The lodge, conveniently-located close to the Arjuzanx Reserve (www.reserve-arjuzanx.fr/), renowned in particular for its grey cranes, strives to be “zero waste” as much as possible and, more generally-speaking, implements a sustainable development approach.
Thermal panels to fuel the boiler, packaging recycling, short-distribution chains for food, conversion of green waste, even the chandeliers are made with branches from the garden, yet you never-ever think “ah, low-end furnishings” but more-so highly-inventive, creative and subtly-elegant design.
Based on the hummingbird model
“We try to explain everything we do to our guests”, states Audrey Baccara. “As such, they become a little more aware that they can change things without having to make great efforts or without changing their habits drastically. I firmly believe that it’s not governing bodies or industrial groups but citizens who will save our common home, i.e. Planet Earth, through these everyday actions. We believe to a great extent in the hummingbird parable”, smiles the young woman, referring to this Amerindian legend where the little bird “does its bit” by carrying several drops of water in its beak to extinguish the fire ravaging its forest.
Ecology on a daily basis, used almost like an economic development driver, is it just a delightful pipe dream? “It’s above all very realistic!” affirms Audrey Baccara. “And, that’s exactly why banks backed my renovation project – eco-friendly of course! — for this house”. Over time, the young woman, who has already organized her first workshops of decorating with recovered objects, intends to multiply events to breathe new life into the village of Arengosse. Whilst continuing her path bit by bit towards an ever more eco-friendly approach, in particular to become totally energy-autonomous. Sure to enchant nature lovers who wish to make their holidays meaningful without sacrificing comfort...
Jean Berthelot de La Glétais, a freelance journalist and Chairman of the Bordeaux Press Club, frequently writes about on men’s fashion and sustainable development topics, with the intention of promoting interesting initiatives on the subject developed in the region.
