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  Green holidays...
 
   As the pleasure of taking a holiday on a campsite relies on the ability to enjoy freedom from the stresses of daily life and being closer to nature it is logical that campsites should be on the front line of attempting to preserve the environment in general and our own immediate environment in particular.

   We at Camping Beau Rivage have been making progress in this direction over the last two years and are continuing in our attempts to ensure that the campsite and its activity has as little impact on the environment and our surroundings as possible.  Being in a privileged position beside the Gave d’Oloron we are particularly aware of the need to ensure that we do not cause any disturbance to the flora and fauna and aim to try to provide an environment in which wildlife in encouraged.


   We have already made substantial investments in order to reduce our energy and water consumption and will continue to work in this direction as the campsite develops.
   Having been a pilot site for the Eco-camps project we have learned a great deal about the techniques available to reduce our impact in terms of building methods and we are now continuing with an environmental audit in order to improve our day-to-day management of the site. On completion of the environmental audit our aim is to apply for a European Eco-label.
    We are delighted to say that we have had financial assitance, which has aided us enormously throughout our projects, from the Conseil Général des Pyrénées-Atlantiques, the Conseil Régional d'Aquitaine, and the ADEME.


Solar panels were installed in early 2008
to heat most of the water used in the shower blocks and to
reduce the consumption of gas.

4 x 1000 litre water butts have been installed to collect rainwater
for use in watering the plants and flowers around the site. The new planting
has been chosen specificallyto reduce the need for watering as much as possible.

We have planned a much more diverse planting scheme
to encourage a greater variety of wildlife.

Taps, showers and toilet cisterns are gradually being replaced
to ensure that water is not wasted.
Velux windows were installed in the shower blocks
to eliminate the need to use electric lighting during the day.
We are in the process of insulating the roofs of the shower blocks
with cork panels to keep them warmer during the shoulder months
and to avoid too much heat during the summer.

All the cleaning products used on site are Eco-label,
and we ensure that the minimum necessary doses of products are used.

The waste system on site has been completely revised and
we are continually trying to increase the amount of
waste that is correctly recycled.

We are determined to find a solution that will make composting workable,
following a first attempt in 2008.
All light bulbs on site are being replaced
with eco bulbs where possible.


Our staff have become very involved in our environmental aims and are very active in finding ways to ensure that products are used correctly, leaks are reported immediately and that waste is recycled correctly.