Sustainable Tourism
The Lodévois and Larzac is implementing actions aimed at promoting a tourism that respects both people and nature, thus encouraging meetings, sharing, and exchanges.
LODEVOIS & LARZAC, A COMMITTED DESTINATION TOWARDS RESPONSIBLE TOURISM!
Very concerned about the preservation of this precious territory, we are committed to practicing and promoting sustainable tourism, which is why we dedicate all our energy to implementing actions in favor of a tourism that is more respectful of people and nature, synonymous with encounters, sharing, and exchanges.
Within our structure
- The staff of the Tourist Office is sensitized to the issues of Sustainable Development as well as to responsible eco-actions to practice at their workplace (energy saving, waste sorting, double-sided printing, prioritizing black & white copies, reusing paper as scratch paper, etc...).
- Partnership with the Abeille Verte for paper recycling.
- Limitation of sending inter-department emails thanks to a collaborative work platform allowing file sharing
- Encouragement to carpool during meetings, visits, and other travel. Implementation of corporate carpooling via the Picholine platform.
- Implementation of a teleworking charter.
- Support from an approved firm in the CSR approach.
In our welcome offices
- The staff encourages visitors to use public transport by providing information on means of getting around the territory, especially using shuttles at the Grand Sites, during the season.
- The staff highlights professionals and/or products engaged in recognized environmental and/or sustainable development approaches.
- The Tourist Office is labeled "Bike Welcome" to welcome cycling tourists passing through the territory and supports professionals towards labeling.
- The Tourist Office prioritizes the promotion of activities respectful of landscapes, raises awareness of fragile environments, and promotes events that invite discovery of the local heritage, fauna, and flora...
Towards tourism professionals
- The Tourist Office informs and assists in obtaining labels and sustainable certifications "welcome to the farm", "bike welcome", "ambassadors Causses & Cévennes", "welcome farmer".
- The Tourist Office provides information on the various processes, regulations, and charters to be respected and makes available sustainable promotional tools for impact reduction: sorting columns & sorting ambassadors, recyclable eco-cups, etc.
- The Tourist Office promotes professionals committed to Sustainable Tourism.
The 5 eco-challenges of summer for responsible vacations
Did you choose Lodévois and Larzac for your summer getaway? Excellent idea!
This summer, let's put into practice 5 challenges to preserve our territory and its unique but fragile biodiversity.
You will find some eco-tips (from a friend ;) ... Whether you are a resident or visitor, these simple challenges are within all of our reach to be exemplary actors!
No. 1 - We preserve the water resource
- Because the situation has been critical in recent years, every drop counts: in rentals, camping, hotels...
In the shower, turn off the water while soaping and prioritize showers over baths, keep bath towels for a few days, fill the washing machines to the maximum... - Postpone washing the car, camper, terraces
- Do not fill the pool excessively
- Water with the water used to wash vegetables or collected rainwater
No. 2 - We choose to use public transport, shuttles & prioritize carpooling
- Shuttles in the grand sites are possible!
To the Navacelles circus or to Lake Salagou, and to relieve the roads, limit traffic and saturation, parking in the heart of the sites are available to you! - The LIO bus lines take you from various train stations and airports (Béziers or Montpellier to Lodève)
- Finally, think about carpooling with the local Picholines solution
No. 3 - We leave no trace of our passage
- The risk of fire is becoming increasingly critical every summer. So NO to cigarette butts in landscapes and on the beaches of the lake and rivers: think of the pocket ashtray available for free at the Tourist Office or from tourism professionals.
- You come with your waste, you leave with your waste. You will find few "gray" bins in natural areas. So like all year round, at home: we sort! There are many sorting bins available in villages and even at sites. Use them!
- Think of your water bottle to limit plastic bottle waste.
No. 4 - We respect the codes of good conduct of the sites
- Do not leave any waste in beautiful nature
- Respect the fauna, flora, and crops that surround you
- Stay on marked paths and authorized areas
- Park in designated areas
No. 5 - We fill up on local souvenirs
- Forget plastic keychains! Go to local artisans for 100% Lodévois and Larzac souvenirs and to the Tourist Office to discover the 'showcase of the territory' shop!
- For food lovers, bring back the good flavors of your vacation by thinking of "short circuits" by going directly to markets or in producers' shops for your gourmet purchases: olives, tapenades, wines, cheeses, fruits and vegetables, artisan ice creams…
Alternative Route!
Overcrowded parking: what if we simply changed our plan?
-> Did you know? There are several natural cirques in Lodévois and Larzac.
Discover them and enjoy remarkable natural sites such as the Labeil Circus (Lauroux) and the Circus at the End of the World (Saint-Etienne-de-Gourgas) with splendid viewpoints!
Finally, one last piece of advice: To avoid the crowds, try to schedule your "Grand Sites" getaway early in the morning, at "fresh" or during the last rays of the day. And why not a night under the stars with a headlamp!
Find more tips and eco-actions in:
> The Sustainable Traveler Charter of the Regional Committee for Tourism and Leisure Occitanie
> Eco-actions for your outings from the Hérault Department
An eco-responsible communication
- Local edition and production of our communication materials
- Printing on PEFC certified paper
- Limitation of paper materials (printed internally or externally)
- Management of rationalized documentation stocks
- Edition of stay booklets upon request
- Promotion of sustainable offers, soft mobility, and short circuits
- Awareness of respect and preservation of sensitive areas
- Collaboration with actors in sustainable tourism
A 'showcase of the territory' shop for the Lodévois & Larzac destination
- Highlighting local productions by focusing on exchange and meeting.
- Desire to develop a closer, more sustainable, and engaged tourism with local residents and partners.
- Developing partnerships with companies offering eco-friendly and zero waste products.
- Implementation of an eco-responsible charter.
- Limited distribution of bags in-store.
Soft mobility and itinerancy
In season, explore the Grand Sites thanks to shuttles made available to you at the Navacelles Circus and also reach the Lake Salagou through bus connections offered by LIO Hérault Transport up to the leisure area of Vailhés.
Also opt for bike travel or prioritize carpooling thanks to local platforms such as Picholine .
CODE OF GOOD CONDUCT
→ Do not leave any waste in nature
→ Respect the fauna, flora and the crops around you
→ Stay on the marked paths and the authorized areas
→ Park in the designated parking areas
NEW FEATURES
- Free distribution of pocket ashtrays at the Lodève Tourist Office, at our receptions outside the walls at the Grand Sites, with accommodation providers and our partners.
- Distribution of sorting bags at the request of our professionals in connection with the Centre Hérault Union.
