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LES GETS, A VILLAGE THAT COMMITTED TO ECO-TOURISM!
Les Gets has for long been concerned with environmental protection and is faithful to these values by making sustainable development its priority. Substantial resources have been actively invested these last few years, notably regarding the mobility:
ALPINE PEARLS
Represented in 5 countries of the Alpine arc (Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, France) the Alpine Pearls association counts 22 tourist destinations that adhere to the same sustainable development project, aiming to reinforce environmental protection in the Alps towards tourism and transport.
Beside renowned resorts such as Interlaken and Arosa in Switzerland, or Berchtesgaden in Germany, Les Gets (member of the association since the outset in 2006) is battling for greener transport. To increase public awareness, informations and efficient services are set up in order to encourage visitors to get around as much as possible without using their cars.
GREEN TRANSPORT: The Balad'Aulps Bus, free shuttle buses and a semi-pedetrian village centre.
A transport service named the «Balad’Aulps Bus» runs everyday around the ‘Aulps’ valley, along the main tourist attractions. The exceptionally low price (1€ per journey) aims at encouraging visitors and locals to use public transport rather than their own cars. This service, which has proved a remarkable success, completes the regular bus services (Thonon/Cluses links).
Provided with a spacious central square, partly covered to allow recreational and cultural events, and with a main street equiped with wide pavements, the village centre has become a pleasant and safe area, with very little space left for cars. To get there….nothing could be easier: catch the little train or the free shuttle buses from any surrounding hamlets.
>> Download the free shuttles hours noticed on the village map
>> Balad'Aulps Bus (hours available in December)
Les Gets, a village that is committed to eco-tourism (copy 1)
Les Gets is committed to Quality and is increasingly preoccupied with protecting the Environment.
In recent years, local residents have realised that sustainable development should help everyone to enjoy fulfilled lives in a more humane society and preserved environment.
In 2003, Les Gets showed its determination to pursue a policy of sustainable development with the Village 2003/2013 project.
Several major themes are being studied for the future of the region:
• gaining tighter control over development,
• creating a different environment from day-to-day urban reality,
• managing water resources more efficiently,
• improving traffic management – one of the priority measures for the well-being of everyone at Les Gets.
In terms of tourism, we must:
• put quality before quantity,
• fill all existing beds during the 17 weeks of the winter season and the 15 weeks of summer,
• develop activity between seasons.
Controlling real estate development: the village has decided to set the pace of its own development and not leave it to the market!
In 2001, the municipal authorities introduced strict planning permission rules (including for applications for single-tap developments). This was not some arbitrary measure, but a decided effort to tackle the urgent problem of water shortages. This problem is all the more difficult given the pressure on land and property in our community.
A landscape that breaks with day-to-day urban reality.
Our guests come to Les Gets first and foremost for the environment and the setting of the village. As a result, in 2001, the municipal authorities initiated a root and branch review of the local town planning scheme. Our village benefits from an image that is the envy of many other mountain resorts. This reputation is based on the warm village atmosphere, its shops and hotels. The image to be nurtured is one that strengthens the present reputation while taking the village ‘product’ more upmarket. The underlying theme is the creation of a prestigious Swiss-style village to embody the traditions of Savoy, the natural splendours of a mountain atmosphere, a stylish and buoyant resort and a village environment where visitors can stroll freely, undisturbed by traffic.
The problems of low rainfall over the past two years and long-standing difficulties with the water supply have still not been resolved. The village is now facing an acute water shortage. Over 300,000 euros have already been invested in various projects to try and find a solution.
Traffic and people management:
A car-free Les Gets is our medium term aim… The principles for better management of movement and transport are as follows:
• improved co-existence for hikers / mountain bikers,
• integrated transport management,
• favouring walking and cycling to cut down on road traffic,
• introducing public transport to meet the needs of different groups of users.
The new face of the "Rue du Centre"
Starting in April 2006, Les Gets has undertaken roadwork to give priority to pedestrians in the village centre. The new square in front of the town hall, designed for recreational and cultural activities, gives a glimpse of the village’s future ‘look’ – all building work will be finished by the end of 2008.
The second part of this work, started in spring 2007 in the high street, aims at improving this commercial artery by widening pavements and providing green areas where pedestrians will be able to meander at will, far from disagreeable traffic.
>>See the picture (at the bottom of the page)
The Haut-Chablais Transport management centre:
>>www.mobilalp.fr/hautchablais/fr
This website gathers together all relevant information for travelling without a car to and around the Haut-Chablais area (French part of the Portes du Soleil).This initiative was set up with the aim of informing local and visiting users of the different choices for travelling via public transport (train, coach, bus…)The aim is to encourage users to respect the environment by leaving their personal vehicle at home and making the most of the wide range of public transport services available.An English version will soon be online at www.mobilalp.fr/hautchablais/enTo spread this information a ‘Guide to environmentally friendly transport’ has been published. Free and pocket size, it groups together all information about local bus services and public transport in the valley and to Thonon, Cluses and Geneva.
© Les Gets 2010