What if saving the planet began with… an adventure in the trees or a hike?
At a time when the climate emergency is becoming a priority, it is important to rethink the impact of our leisure activities on the environment. However, having fun and enjoying ourselves does not necessarily mean overconsumption and pollution. Rethinking our daily activities and choosing low-carbon leisure activities is the ideal way to rediscover essential pleasures.
Fontdouce Adventure Park: an exemplary natural setting
Located in the heart of the lush Fontdouce Valley in Charente-Maritime, Fontdouce Adventure Park offers an outdoor leisure experience that invites visitors to reconnect with nature while having fun and limiting their carbon footprint on the environment.
You can enjoy tree climbing with different courses adapted to different levels of difficulty, orienteering games, interactive rallies, and outdoor escape games. Even more innovative and original activities, such as archery games and bubble football, take place in a natural setting so that visitors can enjoy the park’s wide open green spaces.
Visitors are also invited to stroll freely, picnic in the shade of the trees or enjoy the peace and quiet of a rural landscape free from noise and light pollution. This immersion in a natural environment not only promotes visitors’ well-being, it also helps to raise awareness of the importance of conserving green spaces and appreciating their beauty without damaging them. Whether with family, friends or school groups, Fontdouce Adventure Park demonstrates that it is possible to combine recreational activities, learning and environmental conservation.
As environmental issues become central to our leisure decisions, Fontdouce Park offers an entertaining alternative to more polluting activities: here, you can walk, climb and laugh, all while respecting the planet!
If you too would like to learn more about leisure activities that are less polluting but no less enjoyable, we invite you to discover our ranking of the most fun and least environmentally damaging leisure activities:
1 – Shiver at the top of peaks or mountains
Looking for thrills and excitement? Get up high and discover your region from a whole new perspective by trying your hand at tree climbing or rock climbing! These original leisure activities, which can be enjoyed with family or friends, will strengthen bonds while creating unforgettable memories several metres above the ground! For the more timid, don’t panic: the different levels of difficulty allow you to discover this activity gently, accompanied by an instructor.
2 – Different modes of transport (bicycles, electric scooters)
Having fun while expending less energy and protecting the planet is possible, thanks to electric scooters! Even though the motor makes it easier to climb hills without expending much energy, your body is still working! It’s more of a recreational activity than a real sport, but these unique, all-terrain modes of transport are perfectly suited to the dynamics of soft mobility that encourages exploration. In addition to their ecological appeal, these modes of transport are also a source of pleasure. Gliding silently, making your way easily and discovering panoramic views at your own pace offers a genuine feeling of freedom.
3 – Visit to historical sites
Leave behind noisy shopping centres and long-haul flights to reconnect with yourself. France’s historic monuments are waiting for you! Reconnect with local heritage and culture, because visiting a historic site is not just about ‘admiring beautiful stones’. Above all, it is about broadening your general knowledge and understanding how a region or a building came to be established in the midst of nature, learning what skills have shaped our landscape. It is about promoting existing heritage and buildings rather than constructing new structures.
Fontdouce Abbey, located in Charente Maritime, opens its doors and invites you to immerse yourself in a medieval yet modern world in a natural setting by the water. In addition to visiting the building, you can also take part in numerous workshops and activities for the whole family!
4 – Water sports
Diving into the water, feeling the wind on your skin and gliding to the rhythm of the waves… Water sports offer a unique experience where adrenaline and relaxation come together. Surfing, paddleboarding, kayaking, kitesurfing and sailing offer water sports enthusiasts freedom and a direct connection with nature, all while respecting the planet. Without engines or fuel, these activities embody sustainable pleasures that respect the marine environment. Beyond the ecological dimensions, these sports offer a direct and intimate connection with nature. It is necessary to learn to observe the tides, read the currents and even the direction of the wind. This special relationship allows you to develop a keen awareness of ecosystems in order to encourage their preservation.
5 – Walking/hiking
Are you looking to get some exercise and spend time in nature at the same time? For a smaller budget, you can discover the most beautiful hiking trails in France by walking. With a pair of suitable shoes, anyone can set off on marked trails to discover the most beautiful French landscapes. More than just an activity, this gentle form of travel offers real physical and mental benefits. It is an invitation to slow down, observe and reconnect with what is essential. A simple and responsible way to travel, while taking care of yourself and the planet.
6 – Gardening
Gardening is a fun and relaxing activity that can be enjoyed from an early age, allowing children to appreciate the wonders of nature and fill them with wonder. Gardening is a real playground for those curious about nature: planting, watering, observing… each seed planted brings a little magic and creates a daily adventure. Gardening has many unexpected benefits! It promotes relaxation and reduces stress by encouraging sustainable and local practices such as composting. More than just a hobby, gardening is a sensory and educational experience. Celebrate the wonders of nature to better understand and protect it.
7 – The arts
Whether performative or visual, the arts share the same ambition: to stimulate creativity and convey emotions. Visual arts such as painting, calligraphy and photography capture moments and immortalise them. Performative arts such as dance, theatre and music use the body and voice to offer an ephemeral but more or less intense experience. These art forms enrich our perception of the world while allowing us to express ourselves, whether frozen on canvas or vibrant on stage. They open up new horizons, spark dialogue and offer a universal means of expression, connecting individuals beyond words.
8 – Plogging
Plogging is jogging that’s good for us and good for the planet! The concept is simple: you run while picking up litter along the way. A tin can, some discarded packaging – just bend down to pick it up and off you go again! This makes your run more dynamic and leaves a cleaner path behind you. What’s more, you don’t need any high-tech equipment: all you need is a good pair of trainers, a bin bag and possibly some gloves. Whether you do it alone or in a group for a collective challenge, plogging is the ideal way to run towards a cleaner world!
10 – Meditation/yoga
In a world marked by acceleration, overconsumption and constant pressure, it is necessary to learn to slow down and recharge your batteries. What better way to do this than through yoga or meditation? These activities require few resources and can be practised in any quiet place. What could be better than relaxing in the heart of nature to calm your eco-anxiety or any other source of stress? Practising yoga or meditation outdoors, whether in a forest or on a beach, allows you to ground yourself by experiencing a sense of belonging to an ecosystem. The singing of birds, the sound of waves and the rustling of tree branches create a soothing melody that helps you to feel more connected to your surroundings and sink into a state of deep relaxation. Yoga and meditation are therefore practices that are accessible to everyone, whether you choose to practise them in a group or on your own.
