So, what labels exist for eco-friendly holidays?

All the labels detailed below ensure that commitments made are complied with. They all have different levels of requirements and varying commitments for:
• breaks,
• accommodation,
• activities.

The labels that promote more sustainable tourism offer holidaymakers greater visibility. They all share the same objective: to preserve and promote nature.

European Ecolabel

How can you make sure your holidays are perfect and protect the environment at the same time? This is what is proposed by the hotels, campsites, guesthouses, B&Bs and other types of accommodation that boast the European Ecolabel.
Whether you're heading off for a weekend, holidays or on a professional trip, the European Ecolabel promotes innovative eco-friendly practices in a protected region.
This accommodation ensures: the use of renewable energy, preservation of water resources, waste recycling and recovery, tackling waste, the purchase of eco-friendly products, seasonal breakfasts, based on regional produce, communication and raising awareness of good eco-friendly practices, as well as a responsible offer inviting to discover a different local experience.

Écogîte

Are you looking for top-quality, eco-friendly accommodation? The French Ecogîte label (eco-friendly guesthouse label), awarded by the Gîtes de France network, is there to help you!

Ecogîtes, High Environmental Quality accommodation, meet strict requirements: energy-saving and use of renewable energy, good management of water resources, waste management through selective sorting and composting, respect for the landscape and accommodation integrated into its environment, use of materials with low environmental footprint, making guests' aware of environmental issues, etc.

Accueil Paysan

With the French Accueil Paysan label(rural hospitality label) , enjoy a different kind of holiday in the countryside. Stay on a farm, campsite, farm, hostel, etc. The members of the Accueil Paysan network are players in a diversified, welcoming rural world, who are dedicated to preserving and promoting rural lifestyle.

Clévacances

Fancy a guesthouse with spa and sauna, one-of-a-kind accommodation, a B&B guest room, a rental in the countryside in a vineyard, in the city or by the sea? With Clévacances Nouvelle-Aquitaine (promoting quality tourist accommodation) you'll be spoilt for choice with a wide array of rentals that have been rigorously checked. Clévacances is a French trustmark ensuring perfect holidays offering top quality and eco-friendliness!

Valeurs Parc naturel régional

To immerse yourself in nature and, at the same time, play a role in protecting and promoting exceptional natural and cultural heritage, the French Valeurs Parc naturel régional label (regional nature park values) ensures the commitment of local professionals (producers, artisans, accommodation hosts, leisure activity providers, etc.) to sustainably developing their region. Perfect for discovering 5 Nouvelle-Aquitaine regional nature parks in an eco-friendly way!

NF Environnement Sites de visite

Committed sightseeing sites! The French NF Environnement Sites de visite certification is proof of significant efforts to reduce water and energy consumption, as well to implement an ambitious waste reduction and good management policy. It can also be complemented by the implementation of a responsible purchasing policy, a strategy for making visitors aware of the environment as well as a carbon footprint assessment.

Engagé RSE

When you select a tourism player boasting the Engagé RSE label (CSR commitment label), you're choosing an organization that takes responsibility for the consequences of its decisions and commits, as regards all aspects of its activity, to creating a sustainable development model that is eco-friendly and Human-focused. An inspirational, committed approach, that's beneficial for company employees, for the region, and for visitors!

Station Verte

Are you looking for a nature-based destination where you can recharge your batteries and enjoy a break that's meaningful, sensitive to its impact on the natural environment and
Destinations awarded the Station Verte label(Green resort label) welcome you to protected rural locations. They propose an across-the-board offer of activities related to local natural, cultural and/or historic heritage, and ensure it is promoted and protected.

Blue Flag

Every year, Blue Flag, created in 1985 and now present in 46 countries across every continent, promotes municipalities and marinas that pursue an ongoing policy of sustainable tourism development. This label ensures clean beaches and water quality and now also focuses on raising awareness about the risks ecosystems run through plastic pollution and the need to preserve biodiversity.

As a tourist, by choosing to go to a Blue Flag-labelled beach or marina, you can rest assured you'll discover places that are accessible to all and that benefit from all the equipment and facilities required to reduce environmental impact as much as possible!

In Nouvelle-Aquitaine: 49 beaches were "Blue Flag" labelled in 2021.

Grand site de France

A Grand Site de France, is above all an iconic landscape. This label offers visitors the guarantee that the natural spaces are managed focusing on sustainable development principles. A Grand Site de France area means protected landscapes combined with quality hospitality for the public to ensure that the spirit of the place lives on.

There are two Grands Sites de France waiting to be discovered in Nouvelle-Aquitaine:

• Marais Poitevin, on Niort's doorstep, whose iconic heart known as the "marais mouillé" (the wet marsh), is nicknamed Green Venice;

• Vézère Valley, a magnificent incised valley in Black Périgord, hosting in particular the famous Lascaux Cave.

Other can't-miss places complete the Grands Sites de France network in our region:

• Pilat Dune, the highest dune in Europe, overlooking the Ocean, close to Arcachon;

• Charente Estuary, Naval Dockyard of Rochefort , where the Charente River runs into the sea along the Charente strait. The estuary stands out with the coastline's exceptional fortifications, including Fort Boyard.