We have always believed that luxury and responsibility are not opposites, that a house can be beautiful, comfortable, and thoughtful about the world beyond its walls. At Maisons Vaudésir, sustainability is not a programme or a policy. It is simply part of how we have chosen to do things, woven into the renovation, the furnishings, and the daily details of the house.
Here is what that looks like in practice.
The renovation
When we restored Maisons Vaudésir, we chose materials and methods with longevity and environmental impact in mind. The walls and ceilings were thermally insulated. Old windows were replaced with double-glazed joinery. Even the paint. Algo, made from algae in Brittany, was selected for its low environmental footprint.
These are not the kinds of choices guests typically notice, which is rather the point. The house should feel warm in winter and cool in summer, quiet and well-made, without anyone needing to know why.
Resource management
Throughout the house, small decisions add up. LED lighting in every room. Thermostatic taps on the showers. Dual-flush toilets. None of these things diminish the experience of staying here, they simply mean that comfort does not come at unnecessary cost to the environment.
French-made bedding and furnishings
All of our bedding, the beds, mattresses, and linens, is made in France, supporting local craftsmanship and reducing the carbon footprint of transport. The furniture, too, is predominantly French-made or sourced within France, chosen for both its quality and its story. We wanted a house that felt considered, not assembled from a catalogue.
A durable and timeless interior
Every decorative choice has been guided by the same principle: buy less, buy better. Some pieces are antique, others are new but made from sustainable materials. Each object was chosen to last, not just physically, but aesthetically. By favouring recycling and reuse, we limit waste without sacrificing character.
No plastic bottles
We provide glass carafes and filtered water rather than plastic bottles. A sparkling water maker is available for those who prefer bubbles with their Chablis.
No single-use paper
You will not find paper towels at Maisons Vaudésir. Instead, we provide cloth napkins, washable, reusable, and rather more pleasant to use.
Thoughtfully chosen products
The details matter to us. Toilet paper and tissues are bamboo-based, biodegradable, and sustainably produced by Who Gives A Crap. Body products, shower gel, shampoo, soap, are natural, refillable, and made in France by Les Choses Simples. Less plastic, fewer chemicals, better for everyone.
Cleaning with care
Every cleaning product we use is ecological, made in France, and free from harmful chemicals. A healthy house should mean a healthy environment, for our guests and for the land around us.
Zero-waste in the kitchen
In the kitchen, you will find a Moccamaster brewer with artisanal coffee from the region, along with organic French teas and infusions. No disposable capsules, no unnecessary packaging, just good coffee, made simply.
What comes next
We know there is always more to be done. Among our upcoming projects: the installation of photovoltaic panels to power both houses, and a rainwater collection system for watering the garden and cleaning the exterior. Sustainability is not a destination but a direction, and we intend to keep moving.
How you can help
Part of the pleasure of staying somewhere beautiful is caring for it, and for the place it belongs to. Here are a few simple ways to make your stay a little lighter on the land.
Travel gently
If you come by car, your carbon footprint is already far lower than it would be by air. Better still, Maisons Vaudésir is only twenty kilometres from two train stations. Once here, much of Chablis is best explored on foot or by bicycle.
Sort your waste
The commune of Chablis has a straightforward sorting system:
- Yellow bin: all packaging except glass (cardboard, metal, plastics, unsoiled paper)
- Blue container: glass (we provide one in the house)
- Green bin: everything else, including organic waste
Conserve water and energy
The same habits that serve you well at home apply here. Shorter showers, lights off when you leave a room, the dishwasher run only when full and on the Eco programme.
Shop locally
The markets and producers of Chablis are one of the great pleasures of staying here. Buying local means fresher food, a smaller footprint, and the chance to meet the people behind what you eat and drink.
Explore close to home
There is so much to discover within a short radius of Chablis that you may never need to drive far at all. The Yonne is a landscape made for walking, cycling, and simply being outdoors, vineyards, rivers, hilltop villages, all within easy reach.
