Festival De Lecotourism Poster 2025Festival De Lecotourism Poster 2025
©Festival De Lecotourism Poster 2025

Ecotourism Festival

in Castérino
May 31st and June 1st 2025 at Castérino : An Ecotourism Experience to discover, learn and celebrate

In the green paradise of Casterino, this second edition of the festival promises a memorable experience! Join us in celebrating a greener, more conscious future, and leave with unforgettable memories. Take advantage of this extended weekend to immerse yourself in the heart of the Mercantour National Park. Between family hikes, outdoor activities and discoveries of local produce, Castérino is the ideal place to celebrate in a natural and soothing setting.

Admission is free, but don’t forget to plan your adventure!

🤝 This festival is organized by the Office de Tourisme Menton, Riviera & Merveilles, in partnership with the Mad Jacques.

The Program

🎉 Rendezvous on May 31 and June 1, 2025
🕐 Free entry
€ Free entertainment

Saturday, May 31: 12:00 to 1:00 a.m.

➡️ Day:
Free: climbing wall & planting paper & tote bag workshop
Paying: bike rental (Half Day: 40€/Day: 70€) & massages (30€ per 30 minutes)

2pm – 3pm: Breathing workshop by Sébastien Uscher
2pm – 3:30pm: Family herbalism workshop
3:30 pm – 5 pm: Nature walk for young and old by Rémy Masséglia
5pm – 6pm: Cold water immersion workshop by Sébastien Uscher*
5pm – 8pm: Climate fresco
5.30pm – 7.30pm: Treasure hunt by Parc National du Mercantour
6pm – 7pm: Yoga by Alexandra Videloup
6:30pm: Opening ceremony
6pm – 7pm: Lecture by Julien Vidal: “Le voyage en 2030 glorieuses: l’utopie comme moteur du voyage le plus extraordinaire et écologique qui soit!”
7pm – 8pm: Nicolas Breton’s lecture: “Experiencing the pleasures of distant travel close to home”.
8pm – 9:30pm: Baléti by Comté des Merveilles
22h – 1h : DJ Set

*Don’t forget your swimsuit!

Sunday, June 1: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

➡️ Daytime:
Free admission: Climbing wall, fauna and flora discovery workshop and tote bag, ground fresco.
Paying: bike rental (Half Day: 40€/Day: 70€) & massages (30€ per 30 minutes)

9am – 11:30am: Visit to the Vallauria mine (3€)
9:30 – 10:30: Yoga by Alexandra Videloup
10h – 11h: Breathing workshop by Sébastien Uscher
11am – 1pm: Treasure hunt
12pm – 1pm: Cold water immersion workshop by Sébastien Uscher* (in French)
2pm – 4pm: Play “Au pied du mur” by Cie de l’Embrayages à Paillette
2 – 4 pm: Naturalist walk with Alain Lanteri-Minet

JoursJour
HeuresHeure
MinutesMinute

A committed festival

Creative and local encounters

The Castérino Ecotourism Festival celebrates local commitment and puts the spotlight on artisans from the Roya Valley and the entire destination.
Creative workshops will be organized free of charge to enable you to discover local know-how. Artistic, sensory or manual, come and have fun and discover your own talents!
The festival is a real showcase for local crafts and a commitment to responsible tourism.

All workshops are free!

Children’s special

Throughout the weekend, the Ecotourism Festival offers a host offun and educational activities for children… and their parents! 🌞

  • Climbing wall – New for 2025, not to be missed!
  • Herbalism workshop
  • Treasure hunts
  • Nature walks for young and old
  • Creative workshops (making planting paper, customizing tote bags)
  • Nature discovery with Curieux de nature enthusiasts

Come and experience unforgettable moments of complicity in an exceptional natural setting.

Trek Roya Mad Jacques

Menton, Riviera & Merveilles has teamed up with the Mad Jacques, a trek-type sporting event offering a choice of 2 formulas:

  • 5-day trek: May 28 departure from Fontan-Saorge, with bivouac in La Brigue. 2nd bivouac on May 29 in Tende.
    🥾4 days walking
  • Short3-dayoption: May 30 departure from Tende in the morning (to be added halfway along the route). Bivouac at Col de Tende on 30/05.
    🥾 2 jours d’emarche

👉 The Trek ends in Castérino on May 31 at midday, and the experience continues with the Ecotourism Festival over the weekend!

Whatever the duration you choose, each itinerary promises an unforgettable experience! Ready for the challenge?

Practical information

How do I get there?

With your own vehicle: park along the road. Carpool if possible!

By public transport, using the usual Zest lines. From Menton :

Sleeping in

  • A bivouac will be organized by the Mad Jacques for all trekking participants. Possibility of bivouacking with them.
  • Book hotels and inns in Castérino as soon as possible!
  • You’ll also find hotels and self-catering accommodation in the Roya Valley:

Please bring cash with you (no cash dispenser on site).

FAQ

  • 1. Are there any paid activities?

    Most activities are free of charge. Charges may apply for special events and mountain bike hire, for example.

  • 2. Can I take part in the workshops without booking?

    For free activities, we suggest you consult the schedule and arrive between 10 and 20 minutes in advance, to maximize your chances of participation. To take part in paid activities, you need to book in advance with the suppliers.

  • 3. Are pets allowed?

    Pets are welcome, but must be kept on a leash within the festival grounds.

  • 4. Are there any special measures for people with reduced mobility?

    The festival strives to be accessible to all.

    The farmers’ market is held on the paved Castérino parking lot, which is accessible to people with reduced mobility.

    The outdoor activities (walks, treasure hunts, etc.) are not adapted for people with reduced mobility. You can, however, take advantage of a number of events accessible throughout the weekend 👉 market, conferences, yoga, creative workshops, climate fresco or the play.

  • 5. How can we contribute to the eco-responsibility of the festival?

    We encourage car pooling, the use of reusable water bottles and respect for waste sorting practices.

  • 6. What ecological measures are taken during the festival?

    We focus on reducing our ecological impact, in particular by managing waste and making the most of local service providers.

    🌱 A “zero trace” festival

    – Zero-trace bivouac and festival: respect for nature, no pollution left behind.
    – Waste sorting with accessible sorting garbage cans
    – Glass recycling assured
    – Decorations stored and reused from one edition to the next.
    – Upcycling garlands: created from old communication media and unused clothing.

    🤝 Local roots

    – Choice of local service providers
    – Local manufacturers for beverages and products
    – Short circuits and limited travel

    🌍 Awareness-raising and inspiration

    – Activities and meetings on environmental and social issues
    – Spotlight on local associations and initiatives
    – A clear commitment to building tomorrow’s sustainable tourism together

    🎨 Responsible organization

    – Decoration and signage created directly by the Tourist Office team

  • 7. Can I buy local produce to go?

    Yes, the farmers’ market offers a variety of local products that you can buy and take away. The same goes for the artisans.

This festival is organized with the support of the Communauté d’Agglomération de la Riviera Française, the Mercantour Ecotourisme association, the Parc National du Mercantour, the town of Tende and the ZEST French Riviera transport network.