We have designed and refined our lodging as we have learned more about the various issues related to the current environmental crisis: the climate crisis, the collapse of biodiversity, resource scarcity, and global pollution…
To navigate this complexity, we first focused on establishing a strong local presence in our village and the Alpilles mountain range through the Valeurs Parcs brand. We have also joined committed initiatives such as 1% for the Planet; as part of this, we donate 1% of our revenue (which includes your booking price) to organizations working to protect the environment.
We’ve also educated ourselves on these complex topics, primarily through the Climate Mural (for which Cédric serves as a facilitator), but also through various readings (some of which are available in the cottage’s small library) and through training programs like those currently offered by the SATOR Transitions platform. For example, we were particularly interested in the work of scientist Olivier Hamant on resilience.
In 2025, we also founded an organization called “Un Pas de Côté dans les Alpilles,” which aims to host scientific conferences on topics related to the transition. This year, the initiative took the form of a festival held in our village of Aureille in February, and we hope to continue this endeavor!
In 2022, we received support for our laboratory project from ADEME’s Sustainable Tourism Fund, which really helped us get off to a flying start! Since then, we’ve continued to invest so you can try out and discover solutions for tourism that’s more respectful of resources and the environment.
Would you like to listen to a podcast that explains our approach? https://audmns.com/NJQhvYd
“The laboratory of ecological solutions,” a place where we experiment!
Today, we position ourselves as a laboratory for eco-friendly solutions: a way to introduce our guests to changes in practices or solutions that we find interesting. For example, we recently modified the garden to reduce the amount of grass that needs watering and increase the number of plants and shrubs that are drought-resistant and promote biodiversity.
Our ongoing tests
To learn more about our current reviews in a fun way, check out our review sheets below!
APPROVED TEST
Showerhead
Hydrao - Aloe
- To take action, you need to understand: a showerhead that changes color based on the amount of water used
- Helps raise awareness
- Helps save water
Water: 2/5
Energy: 0/5
Biodiversity: 0/5
Pollution: 0/5
Resources: 0/5
Pedagogy: 3/5
Pollution : 0/5
Resources : 0/5
Pedagogy : 3/5
Water : 2/5
Energy : 0/5
Biodiversity : 0/5
APPROVED TEST
Water counters
Minimize the risk of water leaks through regular monitoring.
Water: 3/5
Energy: 0/5
Biodiversity: 0/5
Pollution: 0/5
Resources: 0/5
Pedagogy: 0/5
Pollution : 0/5
Resources : 0/5
Pedagogy : 0/5
Water : 3/5
Energy : 0/5
Biodiversity : 0/5
APPROVED TEST
Waste-free coffee
- Validation of a grain-based machine as a replacement for a Nespresso machine
- Validation of reusable capsules for use in a Nespresso machine
Water: 0/5
Energy: 0/5
Biodiversity: 0/5
Pollution: 3/5
Resources: 0/5
Pedagogy: 1/5
Pollution : 3/5
Resources : 0/5
Pedagogy : 1/5
Water : 0/5
Energy : 0/5
Biodiversity : 0/5
APPROVED TEST
Reusable sponges
Reusable sponges (lasts over a year)
Water: 0/5
Energy: 0/5
Biodiversity: 0/5
Pollution: 3/5
Resources: 1/5
Pedagogy: 2/5
Pollution : 3/5
Resources : 1/5
Pedagogy : 2/5
Water : 0/5
Energy : 0/5
Biodiversity : 0/5
APPROVED TEST
Water filter and Sodastream
Big Berkey
- Provision of a Berkey water filter and a water carbonator to encourage guests to stop buying plastic bottles
- Impact on plastic pollution
Water: 0/5
Energy: 0/5
Biodiversity: 0/5
Pollution: 3/5
Resources: 1/5
Pedagogy: 3/5
Pollution : 3/5
Resources : 1/5
Pedagogy : 3/5
Water : 0/5
Energy : 0/5
Biodiversity : 0/5
APPROVED TEST
Bulk household products
- Ecocert-certified products (locally made) provided to customers to reduce plastic packaging: soap, laundry detergent, hand dish soap, and dishwasher detergent
- Impact on plastic pollution
Water: 0/5
Energy: 0/5
Biodiversity: 0/5
Pollution: 3/5
Resources: 2/5
Pedagogy: 2/5
Pollution : 3/5
Resources : 2/5
Pedagogy : 2/5
Water : 0/5
Energy : 0/5
Biodiversity : 0/5
APPROVED TEST
Energy-Saving Assistant
Écojoko
- Understanding to take action: providing homeowners with estimates of energy usage (induction cooktop = 3 kW, etc.)
- When paired with 3 kW solar panels, it goes into the negative when the panels generate more energy than the home consumes
- Helps me save money (by understanding my baseline electricity usage)
Water: 0/5
Energy: 3/5
Biodiversity: 0/5
Pollution: 0/5
Resources: 0/5
Pedagogy: 2/5
Pollution : 0/5
Resources : 0/5
Pedagogy : 2/5
Water : 0/5
Energy : 3/5
Biodiversity : 0/5
APPROVED TEST
Night cooling
- 2 windows on opposite sides of the room, equipped with security bars and window screens to allow for ventilation at night
- Encourage guests to limit their use of air conditioning
Water: 0/5
Energy: 2/5
Biodiversity: 0/5
Pollution: 0/5
Resources: 0/5
Pedagogy: 1/5
Pollution : 0/5
Resources : 0/5
Pedagogy : 1/5
Water : 0/5
Energy : 2/5
Biodiversity : 0/5
APPROVED TEST
Coin-operated timer
- Reduces energy consumption associated with a sauna
- Encourages guests to be more responsible
Water: 0/5
Energy: 2/5
Biodiversity: 0/5
Pollution: 0/5
Resources: 0/5
Pedagogy: 1/5
Pollution : 0/5
Resources : 0/5
Pedagogy : 1/5
Water : 0/5
Energy : 2/5
Biodiversity : 0/5
TEST FAILED
Dechlorinator
- Removing chlorine from the water after backwashing the pool sand filter
- Using chemicals to dechlorinate
- Regulations to be clarified
Water: 3/5
Energy: 0/5
Biodiversity: 3/5
Pollution: 0/5
Resources: 0/5
Pedagogy: 0/5
Pollution : 0/5
Resources : 0/5
Pedagogy : 0/5
Water : 3/5
Energy : 0/5
Biodiversity : 3/5
APPROVED TEST
Repairable umbrellas and lounge chairs
Limit the use of materials that are susceptible to strong winds, such as mistral
Water: 0/5
Energy: 0/5
Biodiversity: 0/5
Pollution: 0/5
Resources: 3/5
Pedagogy: 0/5
Pollution : 0/5
Resources : 3/5
Pedagogy : 0/5
Water : 0/5
Energy : 0/5
Biodiversity : 0/5
APPROVED TEST
Roll-up shutter
- Helps maintain water temperature during the off-season (especially when the mistral is blowing)
- Reduces nighttime evaporation
Water: 1/5
Energy: 1/5
Biodiversity: 0/5
Pollution: 0/5
Resources: 0/5
Pedagogy: 1/5
Pollution : 0/5
Resources : 0/5
Pedagogy : 1/5
Water : 1/5
Energy : 1/5
Biodiversity : 0/5
APPROVED TEST
Vegetable garden
- Reduced waste
- Helps reconnect with food
Water: 0/5
Energy: 0/5
Biodiversity: 0/5
Pollution: 0/5
Resources: 0/5
Pedagogy: 3/5
Pollution : 0/5
Resources : 0/5
Pedagogy : 3/5
Water : 0/5
Energy : 0/5
Biodiversity : 0/5
APPROVED TEST
Chicken coop
- Reduces waste
- Helps reconnect with nature and food
- Fosters meaningful interactions, and children love interacting with animals
Water: 0/5
Energy: 0/5
Biodiversity: 0/5
Pollution: 0/5
Resources: 0/5
Pedagogy: 3/5
Pollution : 0/5
Resources : 0/5
Pedagogy : 3/5
Water : 0/5
Energy : 0/5
Biodiversity : 0/5
APPROVED TEST
Compost
Waste reduction
Water: 0/5
Energy: 0/5
Biodiversity: 0/5
Pollution: 0/5
Resources: 0/5
Pedagogy: 3/5
Pollution : 0/5
Resources : 0/5
Pedagogy : 3/5
Water : 0/5
Energy : 0/5
Biodiversity : 0/5
APPROVED TEST
Dry toilets
- Separate-flush toilets
- Educational
- Odor-free
Water: 1/5
Energy: 0/5
Biodiversity: 1/5
Pollution: 0/5
Resources: 0/5
Pedagogy: 3/5
Pollution : 0/5
Resources : 0/5
Pedagogy : 3/5
Water : 1/5
Energy : 0/5
Biodiversity : 1/5
APPROVED TEST
Lawn shredder
- Turns waste into a resource
- Helps nourish and protect the soil
- Helps reduce the need for watering
- As an added bonus, it fosters community connections
Water: 2/5
Energy: 0/5
Biodiversity: 3/5
Pollution: 0/5
Resources: 0/5
Pedagogy: 1/5
Pollution : 0/5
Resources : 0/5
Pedagogy : 1/5
Water : 2/5
Energy : 0/5
Biodiversity : 3/5
APPROVED TEST
Oyas in the vegetable garden
- Provides a buffer
- Not enough for production (in the summer, drip irrigation remains the solution)
Water: 2/5
Energy: 0/5
Biodiversity: 3/5
Pollution: 0/5
Resources: 0/5
Pedagogy: 1/5
Pollution : 0/5
Resources : 0/5
Pedagogy : 1/5
Water : 2/5
Energy : 0/5
Biodiversity : 3/5
APPROVED TEST
Flexible water tank
Flexible tank connected to the gutters:
- Rainwater supply for the vegetable garden and yard
- Rainwater supply for the rental bike cleaning area
- Rainwater supply for the main bathroom
Water: 3/5
Energy: 0/5
Biodiversity: 1/5
Pollution: 0/5
Resources: 0/5
Pedagogy: 1/5
Pollution : 0/5
Resources : 0/5
Pedagogy : 1/5
Water : 3/5
Energy : 0/5
Biodiversity : 1/5
APPROVED TEST
Landscaping
- Selective mowing
- Heavy but infrequent watering of plants
- Watering of a single grassy area (1 sprinkler)
Water: 3/5
Energy: 1/5
Biodiversity: 3/5
Pollution: 1/5
Resources: 0/5
Pedagogy: 3/5
Pollution : 1/5
Resources : 0/5
Pedagogy : 3/5
Water : 3/5
Energy : 1/5
Biodiversity : 3/5
APPROVED TEST
Bicycle Rental
- Cleaning bicycles with rainwater
- Shifting from the "buy new bikes every year" model promoted by manufacturers to the "I maintain/repair and depreciate over 3–4 years" model
- Promoting this approach around the guesthouse through posters
Water: 2/5
Energy: 0/5
Biodiversity: 0/5
Pollution: 0/5
Resources: 2/5
Pedagogy: 2/5
Pollution : 0/5
Resources : 2/5
Pedagogy : 2/5
Water : 2/5
Energy : 0/5
Biodiversity : 0/5
APPROVED TEST
Microbrewery
- Use of malt and hops produced within a 200-kilometer radius
- "No-chill" brewing based on the Australian method: cooling after boiling without using a cold water system (saving over 100 liters of water per 100 liters of beer brewed)
- Reuse of bottles (primarily through local sales and short supply chains)
- Futs to achieve zero waste at events (Opix beer or sodas)
Water: 3/5
Energy: 1/5
Biodiversity: 0/5
Pollution: 2/5
Resources: 2/5
Pedagogy: 2/5
Pollution : 2/5
Resources : 2/5
Pedagogy : 2/5
Water : 3/5
Energy : 1/5
Biodiversity : 0/5
APPROVED TEST
Bicycle Rental
- Cleaning bicycles with rainwater
- Shifting from the "buy new bikes every year" model promoted by manufacturers to the "I maintain/repair and depreciate over 3–4 years" model
- Promoting this approach around the guesthouse through posters
Water: 2/5
Energy: 0/5
Biodiversity: 0/5
Pollution: 0/5
Resources: 2/5
Pedagogy: 2/5
Pollution : 0/5
Resources : 2/5
Pedagogy : 2/5
Water : 2/5
Energy : 0/5
Biodiversity : 0/5
APPROVED TEST
Microbrewery
- Use of malt and hops produced within a 200-kilometer radius
- "No-chill" brewing based on the Australian method: cooling after boiling without using a cold water system (saving over 100 liters of water per 100 liters of beer brewed)
- Reuse of bottles (primarily through local sales and short supply chains)
- Futs to achieve zero waste at events (Opix beer or sodas)
Water: 3/5
Energy: 1/5
Biodiversity: 0/5
Pollution: 2/5
Resources: 2/5
Pedagogy: 2/5
Pollution : 2/5
Resources : 2/5
Pedagogy : 2/5
Water : 3/5
Energy : 1/5
Biodiversity : 0/5
APPROVED TEST
Showerhead
Hydrao - Aloe
- To take action, you need to understand: a showerhead that changes color based on the amount of water used
- Helps raise awareness
- Helps save water
Water: 2/5
Energy: 0/5
Biodiversity: 0/5
Pollution: 0/5
Resources: 0/5
Pedagogy: 3/5
Pollution : 0/5
Resources : 0/5
Pedagogy : 3/5
Water : 2/5
Energy : 0/5
Biodiversity : 0/5
APPROVED TEST
Water counters
Minimize the risk of water leaks through regular monitoring.
Water: 3/5
Energy: 0/5
Biodiversity: 0/5
Pollution: 0/5
Resources: 0/5
Pedagogy: 0/5
Pollution : 0/5
Resources : 0/5
Pedagogy : 0/5
Water : 3/5
Energy : 0/5
Biodiversity : 0/5
APPROVED TEST
Waste-free coffee
- Validation of a grain-based machine as a replacement for a Nespresso machine
- Validation of reusable capsules for use in a Nespresso machine
Water: 0/5
Energy: 0/5
Biodiversity: 0/5
Pollution: 3/5
Resources: 0/5
Pedagogy: 1/5
Pollution : 3/5
Resources : 0/5
Pedagogy : 1/5
Water : 0/5
Energy : 0/5
Biodiversity : 0/5
APPROVED TEST
Reusable sponges
Reusable sponges (lasts over a year)
Water: 0/5
Energy: 0/5
Biodiversity: 0/5
Pollution: 3/5
Resources: 1/5
Pedagogy: 2/5
Pollution : 3/5
Resources : 1/5
Pedagogy : 2/5
Water : 0/5
Energy : 0/5
Biodiversity : 0/5
APPROVED TEST
Water filter and Sodastream
Big Berkey
- Provision of a Berkey water filter and a water carbonator to encourage guests to stop buying plastic bottles
- Impact on plastic pollution
Water: 0/5
Energy: 0/5
Biodiversity: 0/5
Pollution: 3/5
Resources: 1/5
Pedagogy: 3/5
Pollution : 3/5
Resources : 1/5
Pedagogy : 3/5
Water : 0/5
Energy : 0/5
Biodiversity : 0/5
APPROVED TEST
Bulk household products
- Ecocert-certified products (locally made) provided to customers to reduce plastic packaging: soap, laundry detergent, hand dish soap, and dishwasher detergent
- Impact on plastic pollution
Water: 0/5
Energy: 0/5
Biodiversity: 0/5
Pollution: 3/5
Resources: 2/5
Pedagogy: 2/5
Pollution : 3/5
Resources : 2/5
Pedagogy : 2/5
Water : 0/5
Energy : 0/5
Biodiversity : 0/5
APPROVED TEST
Energy-Saving Assistant
Écojoko
- Understanding to take action: providing homeowners with estimates of energy usage (induction cooktop = 3 kW, etc.)
- When paired with 3 kW solar panels, it goes into the negative when the panels generate more energy than the home consumes
- Helps me save money (by understanding my baseline electricity usage)
Water: 0/5
Energy: 3/5
Biodiversity: 0/5
Pollution: 0/5
Resources: 0/5
Pedagogy: 2/5
Pollution : 0/5
Resources : 0/5
Pedagogy : 2/5
Water : 0/5
Energy : 3/5
Biodiversity : 0/5
APPROVED TEST
Night cooling
- 2 windows on opposite sides of the room, equipped with security bars and window screens to allow for ventilation at night
- Encourage guests to limit their use of air conditioning
Water: 0/5
Energy: 2/5
Biodiversity: 0/5
Pollution: 0/5
Resources: 0/5
Pedagogy: 1/5
Pollution : 0/5
Resources : 0/5
Pedagogy : 1/5
Water : 0/5
Energy : 2/5
Biodiversity : 0/5
APPROVED TEST
Coin-operated timer
- Reduces energy consumption associated with a sauna
- Encourages guests to be more responsible
Water: 0/5
Energy: 2/5
Biodiversity: 0/5
Pollution: 0/5
Resources: 0/5
Pedagogy: 1/5
Pollution : 0/5
Resources : 0/5
Pedagogy : 1/5
Water : 0/5
Energy : 2/5
Biodiversity : 0/5
TEST FAILED
Dechlorinator
- Removing chlorine from the water after backwashing the pool sand filter
- Using chemicals to dechlorinate
- Regulations to be clarified
Water: 3/5
Energy: 0/5
Biodiversity: 3/5
Pollution: 0/5
Resources: 0/5
Pedagogy: 0/5
Pollution : 0/5
Resources : 0/5
Pedagogy : 0/5
Water : 3/5
Energy : 0/5
Biodiversity : 3/5
APPROVED TEST
Repairable umbrellas and lounge chairs
Limit the use of materials that are susceptible to strong winds, such as mistral
Water: 0/5
Energy: 0/5
Biodiversity: 0/5
Pollution: 0/5
Resources: 3/5
Pedagogy: 0/5
Pollution : 0/5
Resources : 3/5
Pedagogy : 0/5
Water : 0/5
Energy : 0/5
Biodiversity : 0/5
APPROVED TEST
Roll-up shutter
- Helps maintain water temperature during the off-season (especially when the mistral is blowing)
- Reduces nighttime evaporation
Water: 1/5
Energy: 1/5
Biodiversity: 0/5
Pollution: 0/5
Resources: 0/5
Pedagogy: 1/5
Pollution : 0/5
Resources : 0/5
Pedagogy : 1/5
Water : 1/5
Energy : 1/5
Biodiversity : 0/5
APPROVED TEST
Vegetable garden
- Reduced waste
- Helps reconnect with food
Water: 0/5
Energy: 0/5
Biodiversity: 0/5
Pollution: 0/5
Resources: 0/5
Pedagogy: 3/5
Pollution : 0/5
Resources : 0/5
Pedagogy : 3/5
Water : 0/5
Energy : 0/5
Biodiversity : 0/5
APPROVED TEST
Chicken coop
- Reduces waste
- Helps reconnect with nature and food
- Fosters meaningful interactions, and children love interacting with animals
Water: 0/5
Energy: 0/5
Biodiversity: 0/5
Pollution: 0/5
Resources: 0/5
Pedagogy: 3/5
Pollution : 0/5
Resources : 0/5
Pedagogy : 3/5
Water : 0/5
Energy : 0/5
Biodiversity : 0/5
APPROVED TEST
Compost
Waste reduction
Water: 0/5
Energy: 0/5
Biodiversity: 0/5
Pollution: 0/5
Resources: 0/5
Pedagogy: 3/5
Pollution : 0/5
Resources : 0/5
Pedagogy : 3/5
Water : 0/5
Energy : 0/5
Biodiversity : 0/5
APPROVED TEST
Dry toilets
- Separate-flush toilets
- Educational
- Odor-free
Water: 1/5
Energy: 0/5
Biodiversity: 1/5
Pollution: 0/5
Resources: 0/5
Pedagogy: 3/5
Pollution : 0/5
Resources : 0/5
Pedagogy : 3/5
Water : 1/5
Energy : 0/5
Biodiversity : 1/5
APPROVED TEST
Lawn shredder
- Turns waste into a resource
- Helps nourish and protect the soil
- Helps reduce the need for watering
- As an added bonus, it fosters community connections
Water: 2/5
Energy: 0/5
Biodiversity: 3/5
Pollution: 0/5
Resources: 0/5
Pedagogy: 1/5
Pollution : 0/5
Resources : 0/5
Pedagogy : 1/5
Water : 2/5
Energy : 0/5
Biodiversity : 3/5
APPROVED TEST
Oyas in the vegetable garden
- Provides a buffer
- Not enough for production (in the summer, drip irrigation remains the solution)
Water: 2/5
Energy: 0/5
Biodiversity: 3/5
Pollution: 0/5
Resources: 0/5
Pedagogy: 1/5
Pollution : 0/5
Resources : 0/5
Pedagogy : 1/5
Water : 2/5
Energy : 0/5
Biodiversity : 3/5
APPROVED TEST
Flexible water tank
Flexible tank connected to the gutters:
- Rainwater supply for the vegetable garden and yard
- Rainwater supply for the rental bike cleaning area
- Rainwater supply for the main bathroom
Water: 3/5
Energy: 0/5
Biodiversity: 1/5
Pollution: 0/5
Resources: 0/5
Pedagogy: 1/5
Pollution : 0/5
Resources : 0/5
Pedagogy : 1/5
Water : 3/5
Energy : 0/5
Biodiversity : 1/5
APPROVED TEST
Landscaping
- Selective mowing
- Heavy but infrequent watering of plants
- Watering of a single grassy area (1 sprinkler)
Water: 3/5
Energy: 1/5
Biodiversity: 3/5
Pollution: 1/5
Resources: 0/5
Pedagogy: 3/5
Pollution : 1/5
Resources : 0/5
Pedagogy : 3/5
Water : 3/5
Energy : 1/5
Biodiversity : 3/5




