Inauguration of Villages Nature

Euro Disney S.C.A. and Pierre & Vacances-Center Parcs inaugurate Villages Nature Paris, Europe’s first ecotourism destination

Euro Disney S.C.A. and Pierre & Vacances-Center Parcs today inaugurated Villages Nature Paris, in the presence of Jean-Baptiste LEMOYNE, Secretary of State to the Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs, and Valérie PECRESSE, President of the Ile-de-France Regional Council.

Launched in 2003, Villages Nature Paris is the fruit of a vision shared by its founding groups, based on harmony between Man and Nature.
Each of the partners has contributed its own specific and complementary expertise:

• – Euro Disney S.C.A. its expertise in theme parks, creativity and the art of storytelling, as well as its knowledge of European tourist markets in terms of the quality of the experience and the stay;
• – Pierre & Vacances-Center Parcs, Europe’s leading provider of vacation homes and resorts, has 50 years’ experience in design, construction, real estate investment and commercial and operational tourism management.

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  
  
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  A unique European vacation destination just outside Paris

  Located 32km from Paris and 6km from Disneyland® Paris, Villages Nature Paris is a short and medium-term vacation destination open all year round.

  Covering an area of 120 hectares, the first development comprises 868 apartments and cottages and 5 recreational areas for discovery and relaxation.

  The artistic direction of all Villages Nature Paris components was led by Joe Rohde (Senior Vice President, Walt Disney Imagineering) and Thierry Huau (landscape architect, urban planner).
  The architectural design of the cottages and apartments, by Jean de Gastines, is based on a symbiotic relationship between the built environment and the plants, which intertwine to form a whole. Three types of habitat are available: Cocon VIP, Country Premium and Clan Confort.

The 5 recreational worlds are spread across the entire site:

– The Aqualagon, designed by architect Jacques Ferrier, is emblematic of the destination. It comprises a 2,500 m2 open-air lagoon with year-round, 30°C-heated water, adjoining one of Europe’s largest indoor aquatic areas, measuring 9,000 m2 and featuring 7 giant slides. The pyramid-shaped building is accessible via a walkway leading to its summit, offering a panoramic view of Villages Nature Paris and the surrounding area.

– The 2.6-hectare BelleVie farm, designed by architect Lionel de Segonzac, offers authentic immersion in the world of the farm, with cows, ponies, goats, farmyard animals and themed educational workshops.

– The extraordinary gardens, designed by Thierry Huau over more than 2 hectares, celebrate the 4 elements of nature: Earth, Fire, Air and Water. Planted with species selected to bloom in all seasons, these gardens can be explored through playful, contemplative paths.

– The Forest of Legends is a 2.5-hectare wooded area dedicated to children aged 2 to 12: a forest of games and magic.

– The Promenade du Lac is the heart of Villages Nature Paris, where you can stroll and discover Nature et découvertes, Franprix, Swind, Chez Meunier, Les Petits Chaperons Rouges, PUR etc. restaurants, Cépages and Vapiano.

A global approach to sustainable and responsible tourism

Villages Nature Paris has adopted a global approach, unprecedented in the tourism sector, based on a Sustainable Action Plan (SAP) with ten targets defined by the “One Planet Living” methodology developed by the NGO Bioregional.

This PAD focuses on the site’s ecological footprint, social and economic balance, and enhancement of the heritage and cultural assets of its host area, with quantitative and qualitative objectives for all phases of design, construction and operation.

Villages Nature Paris’ commitment to sustainable development has been recognized by UNEP as part of the Global Partnership for Sustainable Tourism.

 Geothermal energy at Villages Nature Paris, a forerunner in the energy transition

Calories from deep geothermal energy (1900 meters underground) provide 100% of the heating and domestic hot water for all the site’s buildings and facilities. This renewable and sustainable energy produces no greenhouse gases.

 A sustainable approach to regional development

Euro Disney S.C.A. and Pierre & Vacances-Center Parcs, driven by a shared desire to play a full part in the French government’s policy of strengthening France’s attractiveness, have chosen to set up

Village Nature Paris in the heart of Val d’Europe. Developed over the past 30 years by the Euro Disney group, this area offers unrivalled opportunities for relaxing vacations just a stone’s throw from major tourist attractions.

The public authorities’ support for the creation of Villages Nature Paris is reflected in the project’s status as an Opération d’Intérêt National, in recognition of its contribution to tourism innovation, economic development and the attractiveness of the eastern Paris region.

Investment in the first phase amounts to around 500 million euros, covering 1,083 apartments and cottages, 868 of which were delivered on September 1, 2017, as well as leisure facilities.

At this stage, the capacity of Villages Nature Paris is set to welcome 1 million holidaymakers a year, 50% of whom will be French and 50% European (mainly Dutch, Belgian and English).

More than 75% of direct local jobs will be created when Villages Nature Paris opens for business.

Villages Nature Paris aims to represent a benchmark innovation in responsible tourism for the 21st century, through its comprehensive and coherent programming, architecture, landscaping, sustainable development and territorial components.

“We are very proud to inaugurate Villages Nature Paris, a unique partnership between two major players in global and European tourism. By combining innovation with sustainability, together we have helped to write a new page in tomorrow’s tourism,” says Catherine Powell, Chairman of Euro Disney S.A.S.

“Villages Nature Paris bears witness to the determination of the Euro Disney and Pierre & Vacances-Center Parcs groups to help boost France’s appeal and consolidate its position as the world’s leading tourist destination,” adds Gérard Brémond, CEO of the Pierre & Vacances-Center Parcs Group.