EXPLORHOME: ECO-FRIENDLY ACCOMMODATIONS
At ExplorHome, we recognize that our planet’s resources are not unlimited and that the tourism industry can have a significant impact on the climate and the environment.
This responsibility is all the more important to us because the beauty of the natural surroundings plays a vital role in the moments you come to experience and share with your loved ones at our accommodations.
With this in mind, we have chosen to take concrete steps to promote more responsible and sustainable tourism, so that we can preserve this environment while continuing to offer you authentic experiences that respect the places that welcome us.
La Ferme d'Edouard, an eco-friendly lodging option in the Ardèche
1. How can you tell if a lodging is eco-friendly?
To identify a truly sustainable lodging option, there are several factors that can help you distinguish concrete actions from mere marketing claims. In this regard, labels and certifications can serve as good indicators, but they are not the only criteria to consider.
It is particularly interesting to observe the measures implemented on a daily basis. Water and energy management, waste reduction and sorting, product selection, and raising travelers’ awareness: these are all factors that provide insight into an establishment’s environmental commitment. By choosing accommodations that are genuinely committed to sustainability, travelers support a more sustainable economy and contribute to responsible tourism.
To identify eco-friendly accommodations, you can, for example:
- Search for certifications and labels related to environmental management;
- Review the practices in place to reduce water and energy consumption as well as waste generation;
- Learn about using more environmentally friendly products;
- Check whether the establishment also encourages its guests to adopt eco-friendly practices during their Stay ;
- Finally, check to see if the company participates in environmental initiatives or gives preference to local businesses.
In other words, it’s better to focus on the concrete measures implemented by the hosting provider rather than just the promises it makes.
2. Our best practices for becoming eco-friendly accommodations:
During our latest renovation project in the Ardèche—the Ferme d’Edouard—we wanted to take concrete steps to back up our promises!
Choosing a Clean Energy Source: Geothermal Energy
- What is geothermal energy? It’s a source of energy that harnesses the Earth’s heat to generate electricity and heat! It’s as if we had a natural heating system built right into our planet, without having to burn fossil fuels. It’s a sustainable solution for reducing our carbon footprint and protecting our environment.
As you can see, at La Ferme d’Edouard, we’ve chosen geothermal energy for heating and domestic hot water. We’ve combined this with geocooling, an eco-friendly solution we use to cool the house in the summer without using any extra electricity!
Carefully Selecting Our Products and Partners
For us, environmental responsibility goes far beyond mere words: it’s reflected in every decision we make—right down to the partners we choose!
- For our cleaning products and supplies, we prioritize products with the Ecocert or Ecolabel certification. These certifications guarantee high standards in terms of environmental impact and quality!
- The hygiene products we provide are also carefully selected! We recently chose What Matters : a socially conscious, vegan, eco-friendly brand with Ecocert certification that offers organic products that are 100% Made in France!
Psst…we’ve said “bye-bye” to single-serve sizes and the waste that comes with them. We’ve chosen eco-friendly, large-size options!
- For your children, we’ve selected gifts from MIM – Play and Explore, a company that supports local supply chains and is committed to the environment as a partner of 1% for the Planet.
- And to treat your taste buds, we offer local fruit juices made from fruit grown in our family’s orchards in the Ardèche.
We’re raising awareness among our teams and adapting to our environment!
At ExplorHome, our approach also begins internally. We raise awareness among our teams about eco-friendly practices and work every day to reduce our water and electricity consumption. Similarly, we prioritize more environmentally friendly products and adapt our practices to the specific characteristics of each location.
In line with this approach, our pools are heated only when weather conditions permit, in order tominimize unnecessaryenergy consumption.
Since our accommodations are located in the heart of nature, we also strive to promote more responsible travel. With this in mind, an electric vehicle charging station is available right at the Ferme d’Édouard, allowing our guests to easily charge their vehicles during their Stay.
3. Our Clef Verte certification
The Clef Verte label is an international environmental certification awarded to tourist accommodations committed to sustainable tourism. It recognizes establishments that incorporate practices that are more respectful of the environment and society into their daily operations.
More specifically, earning this certification depends on numerous criteria related, among other things, to water and energy management, waste reduction, product selection, raising awareness among travelers, and the preservation of local biodiversity.
To date, Ferme d’Édouard has been awarded the Clef Verte 2026 certification, a recognition that highlights the environmental commitments we uphold on a daily basis. Furthermore, we are continuing our efforts, as we have already submitted our application for the 2027 certification.
4. Become a sustainable traveler: We're counting on you!
What if you, too, adopted a few eco-friendly habits?
- When using the faucets, be sure not to let the water run unnecessarily.
- Similarly, turning off the lights and electrical appliances when you leave a room is a simple way to reduce energy consumption.
- Recycling is also one of those small, everyday actions: designated recycling bins are available in our accommodations or nearby.
- In winter, why not put on an extra sweater instead of turning up the heat? It’s a simple habit that lets you enjoy your Stay in comfort while keeping your energy consumption under control.
- In addition, whenever possible, choose more sustainable modes of transportation. Our accommodations are located near train stations, allowing you to plan part of your trip by train and thus reduce your car use.
> Bourg-Saint-Maurice Station, near our mountain apartments in Tignes
> Valence Station, near the Ardèche farms in Labatie d’Andaure
> Annecy & Albertville Stations, near our future accommodations… but shh, we didn’t tell you anything!
