Ecological

Environmentally and socially responsible holidays

Ecologically empathetic

With minimum detriment to the environment and while enriching local culture guests at le Moulin du Chemin can enjoy delightful countryside, visit local places of interest and indulge in an abundance of wonderful food and wine.

All these ecological plus's at le Moulin du Chemin – as well as a marvellous ambiance.

Carbon Holiday

The carbon footprint of city dwellers is normally greater at home than when away on holiday at le Moulin du Chemin. Le Moulin du Chemin is remote and isolated from any town or city and therefore has no need for the carbon emitting infrastructure associated with towns and cities and bearing in mind that on holiday individuals are pottering about on foot, on a bike or just pottering about.

It is interesting to compare the average annual tonnes of fossil CO² emitted per capita in various countries during 2017, as follows :

  • World 4.9
  • France 5.2
  • UK 5.7
  • New Zealand 7.8
  • Ireland 8.2
  • Germany 9.7
  • USA 15.7
  • Australia 16.5
  • Canada 16.9

Food Miles

Attention is paid to the provenance of the food provided at le Moulin du Chemin, with reference to quality – including production method – and food miles. As far as possible ingredients are local. Non-local produce comes from other parts of France and unavoidably imported food is generally from not too distant Spain and Morocco.

Wine Miles

The copious quantities of wines served at le Moulin du Chemin (and included in the price) are local, from the nearby wine regions of Bordeaux, Loire Valley, Anjou and Fiefs Vendéen as well as other wine producing areas within France. Le Moulin du Chemin is situated between the Bordeaux region and the Loire valley, with the Vendee immediately to the west. Thus the wine-miles may also be considered to be favourable.

Portable Water

Small bottles of mineral water are provided for guest's convenience, to carry on walks and cycle rides. We propose guests should refill the bottles with our very drinkable piped water supplied from the barrage at Mervent. Mervent water has been recycled by nature – not by humans. Refilling saves energy and pollution associated with manufacture, disposal and transportation of the bottles.

Sustainability

The maximum number of guests at le Moulin du Chemin is limited to ten and – because the tourist infrastructure does not generally exist – few other people make use of the hundreds of miles of delightful paths, tracks and country lanes in the region. The impact of visitors on the countryside is therefore negligible. Consequently natural habitats are not under pressure from tourism. A balance of good soil fertility, plenty of sunshine and sufficient rainfall ensures that any minor upsets to local natural flora and fauna are rapidly reconciled.

Cultural Contribution

The holiday operation at le Moulin du Chemin has been in existence for more than a quarter of a century. The presence of the holiday operation and the guests the holidays bring to a remote and tiny rural community are perceived locally as a social asset. The benefits to the local economy are well acknowledged.

Other Little Things

Little things will make a difference if enough people make an effort. Here are some more small environmentally friendly things at le Moulin du Chemin.

  • Food waste arising from the holiday operation is fed to the free range chickens on site, or if they won’t eat it, it is composted or recycled in conformity with the stringent requirements of the European Authorities.
  • Winter heating is mainly by logs (ie renewable energy) cut and seasoned from woods on site, thereby eliminating the environmental impact of drying and transportation.
  • The post-lady collects as well as delivers mail, thus eliminating the need for numerous individual journeys to the village post office.
  • Packed lunches are provided in bio-degradable bags.
  • The pool is heated – when heating is necessary – to 29°C, by an energy efficient heat pump.

Accreditation

The environmental and social credentials of holidays at le Moulin du Chemin have been vetted and accredited by a travel marketing company known as Responsible Travel. Responsible Travel was founded in 2001 to sell authentic holidays which could be shown to be ecologically sustainable. Responsible Travel market holidays provided by le Moulin du Chemin along with 400 other holiday providers.