Institut EcoBio du Bocage 

Contact: Mari-Claude Pasteur
Tel: +33 (0)6 33266230
Email: institut.ecobio@gmail.com
planetary.society@gmail.com

Specialty: Permaculture and green building
Region: Poitou-Charentes
Languages spoken: EN, DE, FR, JP

Etrie Castle of Chanteloup, situated between Bressuire and la Rochelle, one hour from the Atlantic ocean, was built in the 17th century by the Beauregard family. It is surrounded by forests and the meadows on which is built the so-called "Libeau mill". The mill now hosts a health center and permaculture seed saver farm owned by the EcoBio Institute. This farm includes 10 hectares of pastures, 2 lakes, and 1 hectare of gardens. One can get introduced to natural therapies and studies in Shiatsu, Reiki, Sumarah, Vipassana, Zen etc. 

Permaculture: tourists are invited to discover the functioning and philosophy of this health farm inspired by Masanobu Fukuoka's Natural Farming method www.permaculture.com/drupal/node/140). The owners are member of the Seed Savers Network (www.seedsavers.net and www.seedsavers.org) and exchange local and rare seeds during seed exchange events and via postal orders around the world despite recent government restrictions (see RebelBlog). Distribution is done via couriers and volunteer 'rebels'. Apart from learning how to harvest seeds from diverse herbs, and how to compost using earth-worms and snails, one can also learn techniques in political lobbying to save our endangered species (www.planetary.org/sos) and Greenpeace logistics.

Green building: for the creative among us there is a possibility to renovate and construct stone structures. The work with natural earth stone from the 16th century mill requires artistic qualities similar to painting and sculpturing. European students can be registered as stone workers and receive a diploma. Their work will be recognised for insurance, health, and retirement pay. 

A beekeeping project is planned for 2009.

Dates: all year long; 20 persons max in summer; 10 in winter. There are additionally 13 caravan power/water connections.

Free wifi internet and landline telephone worldwide to 80 countries.
Children and pets are welcome.

Price:
To stay in the mobile home, a caravan or the main house dormitory is 18,50 euro per person per day, including all facilities and meals. A private room for up to 4 persons in the main building is 48,50 per day including all facilities, but excluding meals.