Located at the Col de Marcieu, in the village of Saint-Bernard-du-Touvet in the Isère, the “Évasion au Naturel” ecotourism and eco-educational centre originally opened for business in July 2009. It is undoubtedly the most advanced project of its kind in France, in terms of eco-construction, which explains why people come long distances to visit it. “Évasion au naturel” represents a benchmark as far as assimmilation into the landscape is concerned, together with its low energy consumption (because the main building’s heating system is dormant during the winter months) even though the centre is situated at an altitude of over 1000 m, and also because its insulation is made out of woollen padding and hemp sourced from the northern part of the Isère. Inside the gîtes, there are wood burners which use pellets from Chartreuse wood. The designer and owner of the site, Frédéric Desautel, is also a qualified mountian guide who is keen to share his passion with his guests, taking them on forays into the forests and meadows in the area to teach them how to recognise edible plants !
“Évasion au naturel” offers 32 beds – there are six écogîtes plus another 17 beds in the group gîte, which is also where the site’s reception and breakfast room are located. Also in this part of the building is the 40 m2 meeting room with its panoramic terrace overlooking the Grésivaudan and the Belledonne range of mountains. One of the aims of “Évasion au naturel” is to increase its business tourism activity by targeting companies that have some sort of link with sustainable development or those looking for a new venue for their meetings, something a bit different which is also accessible by public transport (there is a bus four times a day between Grenoble train station and the Col de Marcieu!).
The concept seems to be successful, much to the satisfaction of its owner: “Word of mouth works well, as we’ve already hosted four meetings since the site re-opened in May. Clients included directors of some smaller companies, a firm from the public buildings and works sector and another one that specialises in new technologies. The groups consisted of between seven and 30 people, and a number of organisers were so overwhelmed by the site that they’ve already booked dates for future meetings! I was hoping for two seminars every month, and I’ve already achieved that immediately after opening. I’m hoping that this initial success will snow ball, as I can then employ two more people which should also lead to further indirect employment”.
A one-day seminar costs between 50 and 60 € including welcome, delicious organic breakfast, room hire, coffee breaks and lunch at the Col de Marcieu restaurant which is just 30 m away! For a two-day seminar, inclusive of accommodation, two different types of breakfasts (one of which is prepared by Frédéric Desautel with explanations about the ingredients) and two lunches, the rate is between 130 and 150 €.
It is also worth noting that there are loads of different sporting activities available for inclusion in the programme: educational trips lasting between two and four hours with discovery of the local setting and an orienteering trail (150 – 300 € per group), adventure tree-top trail, sledging on wheels, kickbiking, mountain biking, paraglading at Saint-Hilaire-du-Touvet which is just 6 km away and skiing in the winter at the Col de Marcieu itself, taking advantage of its ski lift. Pleased with his success so far, FrĂ©dĂ©ric Desautel says that he aims “to bring a breath of fresh air to the meeting industry” and is also planning to open a garden that features plants from the locality as well as a garden that grows plants for medicinal elixirs. And who knows, “Évasion au naturel” will soon have its own kitchen and eating area for organising workshops on cooking with mountain plants and garden vegetables…
Evasion au Naturel, at the Col de Marcieu (Isère)
Tel.: 00 33 (0)6 83 68 86 45
