Eco-responsible space
MIRANDE "Cittaslow": an international label for a shared philosophy of life
The Coeur d'Astarac region offers an unspoilt environment where nature has retained its rights and coexists harmoniously with its inhabitants. Here, quality of life remains a priority for everyone.
What is Cittaslow?
The movement originated in Italy. In 1986, in Brà, following the refusal of a fast food outlet, the elected representatives and residents of this Italian town founded the Slow Food movement. In 1999, inspired by this philosophy, the 'Cittaslow' label was launched by Paolo Saturnini in the town of Greve in Chianti and the mayors of three other towns.
In just a few years, the movement grew and the network became international, with 199 towns in 30 countries now holding the label, including 8 in France:
- SEGONZAC,
- LABASTIDE D'ARMAGNAC,
- MIRANDE,
- CRÉON,VALMONDOIS,
- ST ANTONIN-NOBLE-VAL,
- LOIX, SAMATAN,
- SIMORRE,
- CAZAUBON
To obtain the label, a town must meet more than 70 criteria.
The word for word translation is "slow town", but in fact it's a label awarded to towns "where life is good" in the broadest sense of the term, and this covers many aspects of a town's life. In fact, in a 'Cittaslow', it's not a question of slowness: we take our time!
Taking the time to live, to produce and/or to consume good, tasty, quality, authentic food - that's what today's citizens dream of!
In a modern world where we're always in a hurry, often missing out on the essentials, isn't taking the time to live well, respecting our own rhythm, protecting our environment and enjoying a convivial atmosphere the key to happiness?
It's surely no coincidence that the areas around the first three French towns to be awarded the label are well aware of the value of the time needed to produce the high-quality eaux de vie that are Armagnac and Cognac!
Urbanisation has gradually led to a deterioration in the quality of life, and people are gradually becoming aware of this. Our small communities are not immune, so it's important to take action now to preserve our quality of life. This objective, under the banner of "Cittaslow", offers a unifying framework for action by elected representatives, associations and residents alike.
We invite you to discover our network:
- French network: cittaslow.fr
- International network: cttaslow.org
Why live in a "Cittaslow"?
...Because respecting traditional values, protecting and promoting local food, showcasing know-how, passing on knowledge between old and young, and being open to others, all bring us closer to happiness!
Why visit a "Cittaslow"?
...Because it's only in a Cittaslow that you can feel like a "guest" and not a "tourist", entering a unique town to discover its deepest values, to appreciate the conviviality and the exchanges with the host, the craftsman, the farmer, the shopkeeper...
Mirande, Station Verte: 1st ecotourism label in France, a network of 500 resorts.
What is a green resort?
A green resort is a tourist destination for leisure activities and holidays, located in the mountains, near the coast or, like Mirande, in the countryside. This national label recognises the town as an organised resort offering the services and pleasures expected in the world of nature:
- a natural environment that is respected and preserved
- a diverse range of holidays
- leisure facilities and activities to suit all tastes!
- a quality welcome.
Mirande has been classified as a "green" holiday resort, and aims to be fresh and welcoming, combining greenery, space and flowers at all times to create an increasingly attractive living environment.
Mirande, Station Verte, is :
- a permanent, organised range of leisure activities (country music festival, Kiosq'N Rock, local festivals, cultural season, etc.)
- an environmentally-friendly destination (pedestrian zones, tree-lined leisure centre, sustainable facilities, etc.)
- A tourist office to welcome and inform visitors.
- over 200 beds in a variety of accommodation (gîtes, hotels, bed and breakfast, etc.) in Mirande and surrounding villages
- services, shops, playgrounds, well-kept and flower-filled areas (Mirande, ville fleurie)
- leisure facilities (Ludina water park, hiking trails, canoeing and kayaking)
- discovery areas: nature, heritage, visits, products to taste (local producers' market, etc.)
Mirande's entrance signs bear the logo of the Station Verte label.
COEUR D'ASTARAC TOURIST OFFICE: a committed team
Responsible for monitoring the Cittaslow dossier and deeply involved in promoting the department's initiatives, the Tourist Office team is particularly aware of the need to take sustainable development into account within its structure.
Our eco-gestures
- Communication
- We prefer to communicate by e-mail.
- Printing is limited: as far as possible, documents are recovered for re-use on the reverse side; priority is given to double-sided printing, preferably in black and white.
- The Tourist Office limits its printing and shares as much as possible with its partners. Documents can be downloaded from the website.
- Purchasing policy
- The organisation chooses companies with the "Imprim'vert" label for its publications.
- It favours local trade for its supplies (receptions, various supplies).
- For receptions, disposable crockery is avoided as much as possible.
- Economical site management
- Natural light is preferred.
- Lights and unused electrical appliances are switched off. Automatic switch-off in toilets. Low-energy lighting is gradually being installed.
- Unnecessary water discharges are monitored, and dual-flush toilets are installed.
- A heating regulation system has been introduced, based on outside temperatures and timetables.
- Waste management
- Selective sorting is practised.
- Travel
- The team uses internal and external car pooling wherever possible.
- It also uses public transport.
- Telephone and internet exchanges can avoid some journeys.
- Our role in raising eco-citizen awareness
A reception specially designed for people with reduced mobility to facilitate their visit, their access to information, toilets...
- The team encourages all its partners to initiate or develop an eco-responsible and sustainable approach and supports them in their commitment.
- The Tourist Office reminds visitors, local residents and walkers to respect the rules so as not to damage our environment (waste management, respect for local flora and fauna, cultivated land, no fires, etc.).
- The team encourages visitors to use environmentally-friendly means of transport (car-sharing, electric bikes, etc.).
It's easy to be an eco-citizen - just think about it!
- Save water, a daily eco-citizen gesture
- Take a shower rather than a bath
- Eliminate leaks
- Fit your taps with water-saving devices
- Choose a variable flush system.
- Reduce your electricity bills by being an eco-citizen
- Favour natural light and compact fluorescent bulbs
- Turn off the lights when you leave a room
- Choose class A appliances (maximum energy efficiency) and do not leave them switched on
- Don't overheat: a comfortable temperature is 19°.
- Generate less waste
- Sort your waste properly: glass, paper, cardboard, metal and plastic, etc.
- Avoid disposable products and packaging
- Refuse advertising in your letterbox.
- At home, adopt an eco-citizen attitude
- Check and reinforce your insulation
- Avoid air conditioning
- When cooking, prefer natural gas to electric hotplates and cover your saucepans when cooking
- Defrost your freezer regularly.
At work too, be smart: be an eco-citizen!
Print on both sides of recycled paper
Use a mug instead of plastic cups
Take the stairs.
Buying can be an eco-citizen gesture
Use a shopping bag: it takes 400 years for a plastic bag to break down!
Choose products in bulk, or large-volume, biodegradable or recyclable packaging.
Cook in an eco-citizen way: choose seasonal fruit and vegetables and local produce.
Get around smartly: be an eco-citizen!
Walk or cycle instead of driving, and take the train instead of flying.
Use public transport and car pooling
Drive carefully and turn off the ignition when stationary; check your tyres.
For an eco-citizen garden: green hands and green brains!
In summer, water in the evening with rainwater if possible;
Preserve a wilder space to protect biodiversity;
Use organic products.
Take your eco-citizenship with you on holiday!
Choose the least polluting means of transport;
In nature, in the mountains or on the beach: dispose of your rubbish in the bin;
Favour the local economy.
Opt for eco-mobility!
Car sharing
Personal vehicles are one of the main contributors to CO2 emissions into the atmosphere. By carpooling, you can reduce the number of vehicles on the roads and help to protect our environment.
There is a special car-pooling area on avenue d'Etigny in Mirande.
Public transport
Bus routes 931 TARBES-MIRANDE-AUCH and AUCH-MIRANDE-TARBES run several times a day.
The bus stop is at Place Fessenheim-Rustenhart.
