Green Luxury for Families in France
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If you hear the word ‘ecotourism’, what do you think of? Many people picture bamboo huts in far-flung jungles or rustic cabins in a mountain wilderness. But sustainable holidays mean so much more than this. They’re about a long-term commitment to green practices, even when the holidaymakers have long since left for home.
You don’t build a thriving ecotourism location by only protecting the land and supporting local communities for part of the year. It’s about living and breathing sustainability, creating experiences that are kinder to the planet.
Here at Country Kids in southern France, we’ve embedded green practices in everything we do, every day of the year.
What Makes Country Kids a Leader in Ecotourism?
Nestled in a restored 17th-century Roquefort creamery, Country Kids is already known for being one of France’s most unique holiday destinations. Our guests fall in love with the boutique charm, the safe car-free grounds, and the much-loved “Absolutely Everything Included” package.
As well as providing an intimate hamlet where multi-generational families create unforgettable memories, behind the scenes., we’re equally passionate about our mission for eco-responsibility. It’s the heart of our ecotourism credentials.
And when our family holiday resort falls quiet each September, our green practices don’t stop. These quieter months are when much of our eco-friendly maintenance, improvements, and planning take place.
Six Sustainability Practices That Fall Under the Radar
Sustainability is embedded in every corner of the Country Kids resort, from how we heat our pools to the way leftover food is used. Each small action helps to create a more positive environmental impact.
Here are six of our everyday green practices that often go unnoticed.
- Water from the source
We’re fortunate enough to have a natural spring providing mountain-fresh drinking water across our resort. What better way to enjoy it than poured from a handmade jug created by a local artisan potter based in nearby Octon?
And to ensure we minimise water consumption, we have installed tap aerators throughout.
- Zero single-use plastics
You won’t find a single plastic straw at Country Kids, and you’ll also enjoy the use of reusable bottles. This has been one of the simplest yet most effective changes we’ve made in recent years, helping us to slash our plastic waste.
- Energy savings that count
All light bulbs on-site are LED, and outdoor lights are fitted with detectors, so energy is only used when needed. At night, we cover the heated pool. Not only does this help to keep unwanted debris out of the water, but it also prevents unnecessary heat loss. Less energy used and a pool that is ready for a morning dip.
- A local approach to food and drink
We’re very proud of delivering the best of Occitanie foods you’ll fall in love with, and equally proud that we do so using mostly local produce.
Around 80% of ingredients are sourced from local farms and food producers, helping us to reduce our carbon footprint.
Leftover food doesn’t go to waste either. It’s fed to the pigs on our working farm – a delight for the children who stay with us during our ecotourism season.
Our wine cellar doesn’t escape our local focus, either. Occitanie is also a dream destination for wine-loving parents. As part of the Absolutely Everything Included Package, you have open access to our wine cellar, which means you can taste all corners of the region without leaving the resort.
Our food and drink offering is one of the most commented upon features of Country Kids, making it one of the best holiday destinations in France, and one of the leading examples of ecotourism in the region.
- Reducing waste year by year
Each apartment has clear recycling facilities alongside a dedicated bucket for food scraps. It’s a small change we made in 2021, but one that has made a big difference – we’ve cut the weight of our general waste by half.
- Supporting the community
Our 20-25-strong staff travel no further than 30 km to work here, and this goes for our 15 external contractors, too. It’s another example of us doing our bit not only for ecotourism, but for local jobs and investment, too.
How Our Sustainability Practices Continue After September
When we close our resort to guests, the work here gathers pace. Our team uses the autumn months to ensure we’re meeting our green targets. From maintenance work to planning for the following year’s holiday season, we rarely take a long break.
With 30 acres of countryside, the land must be cared for. Autumn is the time we tend the grounds, protect local wildlife habitats, and prepare the farmland for another cycle of feeding children’s much-loved animal friends.
We also assess every inch of the estate. We check the essentials – like LED systems and pool covers – but also sit down and brainstorm potential energy efficiency and green projects to tackle. The cooler months are the perfect time to undertake such work.
Of course, because we’ve had months where our focus has been on our guest families, autumn is also a season during which we have the chance to strengthen our local ties, renewing relationships with farmers, bakers, and winemakers to maintain a strong local supply chain.
Finally, we get the chance to sit down and look at what has worked exceptionally well and what we need to improve upon. The kids’ club, crèche, and family activity schedule are always refreshed for the following year. Many of the activities already champion eco-learning, like forest bathing, land art with leaves and stones, and baking animal treats. Each is designed to create an enjoyable educational holiday, helping your children learn about the natural world while lost in the fun of it all.
Put simply, Country Kids doesn’t hibernate once families leave. It uses the autumn to make sure that next year’s guests benefit from even greener choices.
Why Ecotourism Matters for Families
Choosing ecotourism for your holiday shouldn’t simply be about reducing your family’s environmental footprint. It’s the ideal opportunity to show kids that holidays can be both magical and mindful.
Sure, your children will love splashing in our pools, bouncing along in the tractor trailer, and playing all sorts of games with new friends. But they will also see recycling in action, learn where food comes from, and experience the joy of feeding farm animals with scraps that would otherwise go to waste.
Older children discover nature trails, build land art, and enjoy stargazing evenings away from screens.
For parents, there’s the reassurance of knowing that luxury and responsibility can go hand in hand.
It’s an experience that stays with families long after they’ve returned to the UK: the memory of freedom, connection, and care for the world around them.
Looking Ahead to Greener Holidays in the South of France
As holidaymakers, many of us seek out experiences that reflect our values. Ecotourism is no longer a niche option. Eco-resorts are becoming the benchmark. And the families who come to stay here year after year, tell us that Country Kids both understands and incorporates it fully.
It’s proof that an all-inclusive holiday doesn’t need to come at the planet’s expense. By embracing green thinking in every decision we make, ecotourism is a reality at Country Kids, and not a mere buzzword.
So, while the last barbecues of summer fade in September and the resort settles into its off-season rhythm, the commitment to sustainability keeps thriving. Because for us, caring for our environment and caring for our guests are two sides of the same coin.
Plan Your Next Eco-Friendly Escape
If you’re looking for a holiday that’s both indulgent and responsible, Country Kids is a rare find. Our reviews on Tripadvisor are testament to this. Occitanie is one of the most picturesque regions in France, and at Country Kids you’ll rediscover nature and family – as well as a resort that truly values your holiday, local people, and the environment.
Contact us to find out more about ecotourism the Country Kids way.
