The responsible traveler and visitor charter

Responsible visitor charter

OUR TIPS FOR A SUSTAINABLE STAY AND GENERATING POSITIVE ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACTS FOR OUR REGION

To make the most of your experience with us: respect the land, the flora and fauna you’ll discover, the people you’ll meet and the tourism professionals who’ll welcome you. Remain polite and courteous at all times.
The inhabitants of Montpellier and its surrounding area are very welcoming, and will not hesitate to help you spontaneously if you need it, and to share the best of Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole with you!
Please respect our residents and their environment. You’re welcome!

Sustainable visitor and traveller charter in PDF

“Only the footprints of our footsteps should remain behind us, let’s leave the best of memories to our guests”.

Your accommodation

Clé Verte and European Ecolabel labels are preferred. If you’re a cyclotourist, accommodation with the Accueil Vélo label is for you. For accessible accommodation, the Tourisme & Handicap label guarantees an independent stay.

Respect the set points (19°C for heating and 26°C for air conditioning). Remember to turn off the lights, and refuse the daily change of linen if offered.

Dining out

Let yourself be tempted by a cuisine based on fresh, seasonal and local produce. From time to time, try a vegetarian menu or opt for white meat rather than red meat.

Assess your transport impact when travelling

Take the train to get to Montpellier or discover the Occitanie region.
The St Roch central station and the Sud de France TGV station are linked to the TAM network (Montpellier Métropole bus and tramway).

Our region is ideal for slow tourism

Enjoy a slower pace of life during your holiday and take the time to truly experience everything.
Choose to boost your health by walking, head to the beach on a bike, and take a tram, taxi bike or other ‘soft’ modes of transport to get around. If you can, give your car a rest during your stay. Try a new experience with new ways to get around.

New consumer habits

Ask yourself where the ‘local’ products really come from. Ask about the composition and origin of materials. Buy useful, quality souvenirs made with interesting manufacturing processes (local handicrafts, durable materials, recycled, etc.).

Do you know about our local currency?

Using the Graine means maintaining the wealth produced in our region (Graines are only intended to circulate between local economic players). As well as promoting short supply chains, each graine in circulation has its equivalent in euros in an ethical bank, which finances virtuous local projects. Finally, it means benefiting from a network of professionals committed to developing their practices in line with ecological and social values.

How do I use it?
1-I register using the application or at an exchange counter
2-I exchange my Euros for graines (1 graine= 1 Euro)
3-I buy goods or services from retailers and businesses in the network

Putting money back into the public interest

Complementary local currencies are a local alternative to the Euro. They are not used to speculate on the financial markets, nor do they allow tax evasion or the financing of activities that are often ecocidal and unethical throughout the world

My check-list for a zero waste picnic

1- Each to his own gourd! I’m thinking of bringing one or more water bottles for drinks. Wine lover? I opt for a returnable glass bottle of wine.
2- Bring reusable cups or stainless steel tumblers.
3- I cook homemade meals or buy easy-to-eat take-away meals (sandwiches, salads, fruit, cookies, travel cakes, etc.).
4- I use reusable cutlery and lunch boxes (preferably glass), and I can cover salad bowls with beeswax-based cling film.
5- I use cloth napkins to limit and reduce my waste. I can also use them to wrap my sandwiches!
6-I transport everything in a reusable isothermal bag, unc abas, basket or totebag!

Don’t have any of these? Come and visit us in our responsible store!

Respect the environment

Favoring eco-responsible activities, don’t park just anywhere, make sure camping or bivouacking is possible, collect all your garbage and sort it according to local regulations.

Avoid fires

Don’t make fires, don’t smoke, don’t throw cigarette butts or matches.

Avoid water shortages

Here, our regions are subject to extreme heat and periods of drought. The risk of a shortage of drinking water is very high in the Hérault, particularly in summer, due to the drying up of groundwater. In 2050, Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole’s climate will be like that of Seville in Spain. Consume differently, don’t waste water, turn off the taps, take a shower rather than a bath…

Help prevent pollution

Choose ride sharing when travelling anywhere not serviced by a sustainable mode of transport or public transport.

Meet people and embrace authenticity

Support local distribution networks. Visit local vineyards and markets to meet local producers in person.

Help minimise crowds

And limit the impact of tourist activity by choosing the least frequented times or periods to access the sites.

Stay on marked trails and don’t trample river undergrowth. Don’t pick protected plants, and don’t bring back sand, shells or pebbles as souvenirs. Cyclists, please be respectful of other users.

Help protect ecosystems

Help protect the marine fauna and flora by using eco-friendly sunscreen (25% of cream dissolves in the water!). You can also use less sunscreen by swimming in a t-shirt.

Beach souvenirs

Did you know that pebbles protect flora and fauna from swell and erosion? Collecting sand, shells or pebbles contributes to weakening beaches and local fauna. Conversely, collecting driftwood or frosted glass is seen as a way of cleaning up the beach. Make sure you respect nature and local rules.

Help protect species

Do not disturb any bird nests, especially in spring during the reproduction season. Use binoculars to observe them rather than getting too close. Go bird watching in the
morning, when the birds are more active and the temperature is cooler. Keep pets on a lead, especially during the nesting season (April to July).

Reduce plastic

Take a reusable drink bottle that you can refill, ask for eco-cups, carry a tote bag made from a natural material (linen is less polluting than cotton), and use a recyclable shopping bag for your groceries and market purchases.

WHERE CAN I FILL MY WATER BOTTLE FOR FREE?

Activate geolocation and find water points, fountains and #GOURDEFRIENDLY establishments. See the interactive map.

HERE BEGINS THE SEA

Take along a pocket ashtray. Don’t throw your cigarette butts on the ground or down the drain. (they end up directly in the sea).

Manage and recycle your waste

Whether you are a holidaymaker or a local, dispose of your litter properly and recycle – wherever you are, all year round! Métropole de Montpellier provides
everything you need so it’s easy to care for the planet.
► Recycling in our region

During the forest fire risk period

In the event of a fire :
– Alert the fire department by dialing 112 or 18, and follow their instructions.
– Clear access routes
– Shut off gas and electricity to your home
– Do not expose yourself to flames

Holiday homes

Keep up to date with the legal obligation to clear undergrowth imposed on certain property owners to limit the outbreak and spread of fires. Anticipate the means of fighting a possible outbreak of fire (water points, equipment, etc.).

Fire watch days

Do not carry out spark-generating work in areas exposed to forest fires or within the 200-meter radius.

Be aware

Of the daily fire risk level by checking the region’s fire prevention map.
Do not light any fires or barbecues in or around wooded areas

Caring for heritage

Leave any site that you visit as tidy as when you arrived. Heritage sites are protected
and some are listed. Do not drop cigarette butts the courtyards of private mansions or anywhere else. Pack a pocket ashtray before you go.

In case of heavy rain

Close all doors, windows and shutters on the seafront.

Protect your belongings from being washed away or flooded. Stock up on food and emergency equipment.

Keep an eye on rising water levels and be prepared to climb upstairs or onto the roof. Stay at home, cancel all your trips. Don’t take any risks.

Prevention is better than cure

In direct contact with our dedicated services, we take weather warnings very seriously. In the event of an orange vigilance rain alert, we cancel our guided tours, even if the weather even if the weather may seem mild at first glance. Thank you for your understanding.

In the event of a heatwave

Keep cool during the hottest hours (11am-9pm) and avoid physical exertion. Open your shutters at night, leave them closed during the day.

Keep up to date with the situation at www.montpellier.fr, www.herault.gouv.fr, www.meteofrance.com or by listening to France Bleu Hérault.

Look for freshness

On montpellier.fr/canicule, the city publishes a map of watering holes, cool places and air-conditioned public facilities, open exceptionally or with extended opening hours. Numerous fountains are also available to the public in parks and gardens.

We try to schedule our guided tours for the cooler periods of the day. In the event of a heatwave, tours may be cancelled.