Traveling differently has never been so necessary... or so accessible! Faced with climate challenges, the rise of mass tourism, and a growing desire to give meaning to their vacations, more and more French people are looking to get away without traveling far. This summer, why not choose a socially conscious, local vacation in France, while enjoying a truly authentic experience? Here's an overview of some great ideas for traveling differently.
Slow tourism: taking the time to meet people
Slow tourism invites us to change the way we look at our vacations. Fewer places, more intensity. Fewer itineraries, more encounters. Gone are the days of marathon visits where we rush from one "must-see" attraction to the next: now it's time for aimless strolls, shared moments, and life stories exchanged over a local meal.
By choosing to stay in guesthouses, sleep in local homes, or participate in village life, travel becomes a human and authentic experience. You take the time to listen to the locals, taste local products, and understand local traditions.
The result: tourism that is gentler on the planet, richer for the mind, and fairer for local communities.
Sustainable transportation, an ally for responsible travelers
What if the journey itself became the destination? Opt for sustainable modes of transport such as trains, bicycles, and walking, which allow you to experience a slower but more immersive and sensory journey.
There are numerous cycling routes crisscrossing France: the Vélodyssée on the Atlantic coast, the Loire à Vélo, the ViaRhôna, and even Brittany by bike.
Hiking enthusiasts can set off on long-distance trails such as the GR34 (the Sentier des douaniers) or the Chemin de Stevenson, surrounded by nature.
And for landscape lovers, regional trains remain an accessible and low-carbon way to travel through the countryside, mountains, or coastlines, offering precious freedom.
These modes of transportation encourage digital disconnection, contemplation, and direct contact with the environment. Traveling slowly also means traveling fully.
Cultural exchanges in France: an unexpected treasure trove
You don't have to cross borders to experience culture shock or a life-changing encounter. Human, linguistic, gastronomic, and social diversity can be found just a few miles from home.
In France, associations such as Les Petits Débrouillards, Singafrik, and France Terre d’Asile offer intercultural exchange programs, solidarity trips, and immersions in rural or agricultural communities.
Hosting a refugee family, participating in a multicultural festival, or spending a week on a farm run by committed neo-ruralists are all opportunities to forge unexpected and sincere bonds.
These stays are often free or offer voluntary contributions, and greatly enrich the personal and professional development of individuals seeking meaning.
Local initiatives: meaningful and socially responsible vacations
Tourism can be a driver of local transition and transformation. Across France, regions are inventing participatory, collaborative, and eco-friendly tourism.
On the agenda: nature projects to maintain forests or beaches, collective harvesting on agroecological farms, restoration of dry stone walls, permaculture or eco-construction workshops, etc.
These initiatives, led by local associations, eco-communities, or citizen groups, allow people to feel useful, pass on their skills, and forge lasting ties with a region.
In Brittany, Drôme, Cévennes, the Alps, and Ardèche, rural destinations are becoming living laboratories for sustainable tourism. And each participant leaves with much more than photos: skills, memories, friendships... and often a renewed vision of the world.
This is the vision of tourism promoted by Odicé, a school of responsible tourism located on The Land Campus in Rennes. It offers comprehensive and innovative training focused on careers in sustainable tourism and events. At Odicé, the courses emphasize innovation, sustainability, and social responsibility, training the tourism professionals of tomorrow.
🎓 Two training courses are available:
- BTS Tourism : a solid foundation for performing a variety of roles in the sector, with a mastery of both practical and theoretical aspects.
- Bachelor's Degree in Event Project Management
At Odicé, we believe that tourism is an essential driver for promoting local economic growth, cultural preservation, and intercultural understanding. It contributes to sustainable regional development by promoting environmentally friendly practices that foster social cohesion.
The training programs incorporate a practical and strategic approach to project management, enabling students to master the tools needed to organize and manage socially responsible tourism events that boost local economies while promoting regional identity.
Traveling differently means choosing meaning, humanity, and positive impact. Whether it's hiking near home, helping out at a local farm, or getting involved in a cultural mission, there are many options for spending a summer that is both relaxing and rewarding. And if you want to go even further, why not make it a career?The Odicé school in Rennes will help you make sustainable tourism a lever for individual and collective transformation.
