Sustainable tourism encompasses all practices that limit the ecological and social impacts of travel. The carbon footprint of the stay is an important indicator for defining sustainable tourism . According to a recent study , three-quarters of emissions from the tourism sector in France are linked to transport, and 41% are exclusively generated by air transport.
Sustainable tourism is therefore above all a more local tourism , which explores the wonders that surround us, in France and in Europe, avoiding the plane whenever possible. To learn more about responsible tourism and how to practice it, we invite you to read our article “ what is responsible tourism ”. Conversely, tour operators who offer “ecolodge” stays in faraway countries do not do sustainable tourism. Of course, the place will be exemplary in terms of waste reduction and the materials used, but this will not compensate for the emissions generated by air travel .
On this page, we share 9 eco-friendly travel ideas to prove that a change of scenery is not linked to the distance traveled. We hope they will inspire you for your next vacation!
Sustainable tourism: 9 getaway ideas
1 – Barcelona, London, Amsterdam… Europe within reach by train
Fancy a festive or cultural trip to a European capital? The TGV allows you to reach many European cities in half a day. Here are some ideas for destinations from some major French cities (Lille, Lyon, Montpellier, Paris, Strasbourg, Marseille) with the associated travel time.
With wifi on the train, you can take advantage of the journey to finish an urgent report, while watching the landscapes go by. And unlike airports, train stations are in the city center: perfect for enjoying a Brussels beer or a Turin risotto upon arrival. Yes, because sustainable tourism is also gourmet tourism! A word of advice: book well in advance to get cheaper rates (e.g. €30 for a Paris-Turin trip).
2 – Discover France through its long-distance hiking trails (GR)
Do you know the GR 34, or “Breton customs path”? From Mont Saint-Michel to Saint-Nazaire, it runs along the coast for 2,000 km as close as possible to the sea. The opportunity to discover the coastline , as you could never do from the road. The Finistère section (Abers country, Crozon peninsula, Pointe du Raz, etc.) was voted “French people’s favorite GR” in 2018.
If the mountains are your thing, why not try the GR10, which links the Basque Country to the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, or the “Grande Traversée des Alpes” (GR5 or GTA) between Lake Geneva and the Alpes-Maritimes? These trails allow us to discover France differently, taking the time to appreciate the thousand nuances of the territories crossed. Sustainable tourism is perhaps first and foremost a tourism where we take our time.
3 – Board a legendary train
Have you heard of the Train des Merveilles? This line connects Nice and Tende, going up the Roya Valley. It starts at sea level and climbs up to 1000 m above sea level, crossing the sublime landscapes of the Alpes-Maritimes and Mercantour. This line, which almost disappeared, is also the symbol of these “small lines” so precious to French territory.
The Glacier Express in the Swiss Alps, which connects the resorts of Zermatt and St. Moritz. An example of sustainable and exotic tourism
The Glacier Express in the Swiss Alps, which connects the resorts of Zermatt and St. Moritz. An example of sustainable and exotic tourism
Other legendary lines are accessible from France. The Schwarzwaldbahn crosses the entire Black Forest, starting from Offenburg, near Strasbourg. The Glacier Express winds through the Swiss mountains, rising to an altitude of 2000 m. The Linha de Douro in northern Portugal, or the West Island Line which connects Glasgow to the port of Malaig, are also worth discovering.
