Les Orangeries is a pioneer of eco-conscious hospitality in France. In 2006, it became the first hotel in the country to receive the European Ecolabel, setting a national benchmark for sustainable tourism. Located in Poitou, this 18th-century manor has been lovingly restored into a 15-room boutique hotel that combines old-world charm with cutting-edge green innovation.

Historic Charm Meets Modern Sustainability

Owner-architect Françoise Brouard has infused the property with a vision of thoughtful, sustainable design. Solar panels are discreetly installed on rooftops, while a natural swimming pool in the gardens is filtered by aquatic plants rather than chemicals, offering guests a refreshing and eco-friendly dip.

Inside, rooms are designed for both elegance and health. Eco-certified paints and furnishings ensure toxin-free interiors, organic cotton linens dress the beds, and double-glazed windows improve energy efficiency. Heating and cooling come from a geothermal system beneath the property, significantly lowering energy consumption.

Organic Cuisine & Farm-to-Table Dining

The heart of Les Orangeries’ sustainability is expressed through its cuisine. The hotel’s organic restaurant is recognized by the Sustainable Restaurant Association for its leadership in responsible dining. Chef David Royer crafts seasonal menus using locally sourced ingredients, many of them grown in the hotel’s certified-organic potager garden.

Guests enjoy homemade breads, heirloom vegetables, farm-fresh eggs, and goat cheese from nearby producers. Meals are served al fresco beneath the shade of an ancient lime tree, creating a dining experience that is as memorable as it is environmentally responsible.

Zero Waste & Eco Practices

Sustainability extends beyond the kitchen. Les Orangeries eliminates single-use plastics, replacing them with refillable soap dispensers and glass carafes in rooms. Waste is carefully sorted and composted, while the solar-heated pool is maintained with minimal water use. EV charging stations are available on-site, and e-bikes can be rented to explore surrounding villages and river valleys, making the hotel a hub for car-free sustainable travel in France.

Countryside Elegance & Natural Gardens

Despite its advanced eco-practices, the ambiance remains classically French. The manor’s stone walls are draped in ivy, terracotta tiles glow in the sun, and orchard gardens teem with butterflies and birds thanks to chemical-free landscaping. Guests can swim in the 35-meter outdoor pool, play pétanque on the lawn, or simply relax in the gardens with a glass of local wine.

A Pioneering Responsible Tourism Destination

By blending historic elegance with trailblazing sustainability, Les Orangeries proves that luxury and environmental responsibility not only coexist but elevate one another. As France’s first ecolabel-certified hotel, it continues to inspire travelers seeking authentic, feel-good stays where every comfort is delivered with respect for people and planet.