Ecotourism Festival

in Castérino

June 15-16, 2024 at Castérino: An Ecotourism Experience to discover, learn and celebrate

In the green paradise of Castérino, this first edition of the festival promises a memorable experience. Breathe in the pure mountain air and marvel at the diversity of activities on offer here. Join us in celebrating a greener, more conscious future, and leave with unforgettable memories. Ready for adventure? Get ready for an exceptional weekend!

Admission is free, but remember to reserve your place!

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

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On the program:

Stands, Workshops, Conferences, Activities

Conferences and concerts

Take part in inspiring lectures

SATURDAY

3pm: Sébastien Uscher, Theatrical lecture “Welcome to post-growth“
SébastienUscher, an expert in change management, will shed light on new ways of thinking about the post-growth economy in an environmentally-friendly world.
5pm: Samuela from Once upon a train, “The future of trains”.
Samuela tells us about her train journeys and her vision of the world of slow tourism.
6pm to 9pm: Climate fresco under the big top
From 9pm:DJ set and Occitan ball
Le Compté des Merveilles gets you dancing to the rhythms of our traditional songs, as you hop from one foot to the other on the dance floor to learn the dances of the Comté region! Followed by a DJ set to round off the day…

SUNDAY

10 a.m.: Laura Colagreco, “Safeguarding biodiversity and ancient know-how”
Laura explains how she practices her craft on a daily basis.
11am to 12pm: Benjamin de Molliens, Round table with Samuela
Founder of the “Expedition Zero” initiative, Benjamin will share his eco-responsible adventures and his ideas on how to travel without leaving a trace.

Workshops

Program overview

SATURDAY

Yoga: 12-13h, 19h-20h
Introduction to Nordic walking: 1pm-2pm, 4pm-5pm
Intuitive dance: 1pm-2pm
Herbal tea making: 14h-15h
Nature walks: 14h-15h30, 17h-18h30
Basketry: 18h-19h
Treasure hunt: 14h-15h

SUNDAY

Nature walks: 10am-11am
Nordic walking initiation: 1pm-2pm
Basketry Olympics: 11am-12pm
Breathing workshop: 2pm-3pm
Nature walk: 14h-16h
Bracelets, rock carvings, wooden games and more: 12pm-8:30pm

And much more! Are you ready for the DJ set on Saturday evening?

The program

Exhibition

Discover the world of local artistEric Glémot. His watercolor-timbers are born of travel and adventure. His art is a kaleidoscope of colors and emotions, giving life to portraits that tell stories. This exhibition offers visitors a contemplative stroll through nature on the festival site.

On-site activities

Book in advance

Close to the festival, Julia, Michel and Nicolas welcome you for some great adventures:

Vallauria mine

Discover the silver, zinc and gneiss mine on a guided tour, and immerse yourself in the fascinating history of medieval mining.
20 minutes by car from Castérino and a 30-minute walk to the mine.

Book on 04 93 04 62 40

VAE

The Vélo à Assistance Électrique (VAE) is the perfect way to explore Castérino without (too) much effort and in an environmentally-friendly way. Ideal for getting to the Lac des grenouilles or the Peyrefique drop for sporty types.
5 minutes from the festival.

Reservations on 06 74 76 18 75 for on-site hire from 11am to 5pm.

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Accrobranche: Accro des Merveilles

Fill up on action and adrenalin with 11 aerial courses of increasing difficulty. A great activity for kids and adults alike, with 150 different challenges in the trees.
5 minutes from the festival – 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

To book, call 06 74 76 18 75, and benefit from a special festival price!

Horse or pony: Les randonneurs du Mercantour

Enjoy a one- or two-hour excursion on horseback in the Castérino valley. Ponies are also available for younger riders, for rides ranging from 1/4h to 1h.
In the heart of the Festival.

Reservations on 07 87 67 39 81, one ride every hour (10am, 11am, 2pm, 3pm and 4pm).

Take part in the Trek Roya Mad Jacques

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

4-day walk: starting from Fontan-Saorge on June 12, with a bivouac in La Brigue. The route passes through Tende on June 13, reaching the Col de Tende on June 14, where it sleeps.
Short option: departure from Tende on the morning of June 14 (to be added half-way along the route).

The trek ends in Castérino at midday on June 15, and the experience continues with the Ecotourism Festival over the weekend!

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

Details and registration

Practical information

Free admission - come as you are!

Some activities are chargeable, but most of our festival is open to all, free of charge.

The program
How do I get there?
Where to sleep?
Where to eat?

Timetable and program

Saturday, June 15: Noon to 2 a.m.
Sunday June 16: 10am to 5pm

Discover the detailed program of workshops, activities and the DJ set!

Festival program

How do I get there?

The event will be accessible from Menton by public transport, using the usual Zest lines.

From Sospel or Nice:

with the Train des Merveilles: stop at Saint-Dalmas-de-Tende, then shuttle buses will be available from the station (at predefined times).
with your own vehicle: park along the road. Car-pooling is recommended where possible.

Sleeping in

A bivouac will be organized by the Mad Jacques for all trekking participants. You can bivouac 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:

On-site catering

Restaurants in Castérino’s inns: traditional dishes will be prepared especially for the occasion by the innkeepers at a single price.

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.
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.
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.
8. Can we take part in the Climate Fresco?
Absolutely! The climate mural is interactive, and we encourage all visitors to take part and learn about climate impact in a visual and engaging way. You’ll just have to come early to make sure you get a seat.

Join us

for an unforgettable ecotourism adventure!

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.

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