November’s portrait: Maxime Béjean, a host committed to sustainable tourism

2. 2. A career rooted in nature

At 35, Maxime Béjean is no stranger to the world of plants. Responsible for green spaces at Schiltigheim, he started out as a simple agent before moving up in the community. His day-to-day work has naturally made him aware of the issues surrounding the environment and the quality of life.

This experience fuelled his desire to develop a personal project linked to welcoming visitors and promoting the local area. The idea of a gîte had been in the back of his mind for a long time. “How could the village be revitalised? There was the idea of a bistro, the idea of a gîte… We weren’t sure. Then the opportunity arose and, with my wife, we said: let’s go for it”, he recounts enthusiastically.

2. 2. A family home transformed into a furnished holiday home

After a year’s work, Maxime and his wife opened their gîte in August 2025. The adventure took root in a neighbouring house that was easy to renovate and full of potential. The work was carried out entirely by the couple, with the invaluable help of their family and friends.

The building also has a history: a former joiner’s workshop, it has retained the soul of an artisanal place while becoming a welcoming cocoon for visitors. Much of the furniture comes from the house or has been bought second-hand to give it a second life. Some of the furniture was even made by the former owner, a carpenter by trade, in his own workshop.

The furnished accommodation can sleep between six and eight people, in a calm, family atmosphere. “It’s a family home, with its own outside area, in a peaceful setting. It’s ideal for relaxing and enjoying a peaceful setting,” says its owner.

The location is a major asset: central, it provides easy access to Strasbourg, Haguenau and Saverne, giving visitors privileged access to major cities while staying in a serene environment.

2. 2. Committed to responsible tourism

The ecological dimension was an essential part of the project from the outset. It was only natural that Maxime Béjean should sign up to the Territoire Durable programme. “We’ve always been concerned about the environment and ecology. From the outset, we wanted to take an ecological approach. When I was offered the Sustainable Territories path, I said yes straight away. I wanted to deepen my knowledge and be supported,” he explains.

The programme, initiated byARTGE and the tourist offices, offers accommodation providers training and practical advice on how to improve their impact. “We have guides who show us lots of ideas and projects. It’s really nice,” he adds.

2. 2. Concrete steps towards a greener B&B

There is no shortage of initiatives in this area. Organic waste management involves… chickens! “All organic waste goes to the chickens. We’ve even put up a poster explaining what not to give them”, he explains.

All the light bulbs are now LED, and energy-consuming equipment such as heating and hot water are connected. This makes it possible to adapt consumption to the number of occupants: a couple or a group of eight have different needs. ” You can really adjust according to use, which is very practical”, he emphasises.

For maintenance, the Béjean family now uses homemade household products, learned from recipes shared during the Sustainable Territory course.

But the hosts have no intention of stopping there. The idea is to play music for three minutes during the shower, to encourage travellers to reduce their water consumption, but without constraint”.

2. 2. Supporting the local economy and the region

For Maxime Béjean, sustainable tourism is not just aboutenergy or waste. It’s also about showcasing local expertise. In this way, each stay becomes a gateway to the region. “When people arrive, we offer them a bottle of Crémant from the Bohr estate, and we also offer chocolates from the village chocolate factory. It’s a way of encouraging people to discover the surrounding area,” he explains.

This approach helps to strengthen links between visitors and local players, while limiting unnecessary travel. It’s a virtuous circle that benefits thelocal economy.

2. 2. A warm welcome, the key to success

Since it opened, the gîte has already attracted a number of visitors. The feedback has been enthusiastic, particularly about thepersonalised welcome. “One thing that comes up a lot is the warm welcome. The chickens are very popular, with fresh eggs in the morning. We explain our sustainable approach without imposing it, and people appreciate it,” he says.

The compliment that touches him the most is the one that comes up regularly: “It feels like home”. It’s a sign that thefriendly, familyatmosphere that the owners wanted is indeed there.

2. 2. Inspiring other web hosts

Maxime Béjean also hopes to show the way to other project owners. His advice is practical and accessible: “I recommend lime wall rendering. It’s inexpensive, easy to wash, environmentally friendly and gives an authentic finish”. He points out, however, that if you do the work yourself, as you did at his gîte, lime becomes even more economical.

He believes that sustainable tourism is not just for the initiated, but can become the norm, as long as we take things one step at a time and adopt simple gestures.

2. 2. A peaceful home, open to the future

In conclusion, Maxime Béjean describes his gîte as “a quiet house, ideal for relaxing and spending a week in peace, but still close and central”.

Together with his wife, he looks to the future with serenity and ambition, convinced that tourist accommodation can combine comfort, authenticity and respect for the environment.

This November’s portrait highlights a passionate and committed local player. Maxime Béjean’s meublé de tourisme, designed as a friendly, sustainable place to stay, is a perfect illustration of the transition to more responsible tourism.

His story shows that ecology and hospitality can complement each other harmoniously, offering visitors an enriching experience while preserving the region’s resources.