Eco-design Statement

An eco-friendly approach

At every stage of the project

Designing a responsible website is not just an intention. It is a method, a commitment and many concrete choices at every stage of the project.

🌿 Thinking ‘useful’ above all else

The ‘Nous La Rochelle’ website was designed to be a pocket companion, not a flashy showcase. Here, every page has a purpose, every piece of content has a use. Less superfluous, more essential.

We opted for a simple design, optimised content and intuitive navigation to limit the site's environmental footprint from the moment it is used: less bandwidth, less energy consumption, more speed for everyone.

🛠️ A collective effort, down to the last detail

This eco-design approach mobilised all the teams at the Tourist Office: reception, quality, partnerships, groups... Each department contributed to defining the real needs of visitors and residents alike, in order to offer a website that truly serves its purpose.

We were supported by committed agencies: Think My Web, a digital strategy consulting agency, and Troopers then Fairness, two cooperative web agencies promoting sustainable and empowering digital technology. Together, we scrutinised every detail. Nothing was left to chance. And choices had to be made!

Our graphic designer also played an essential role in creating a visual identity that is understated, legible and consistent with this approach: an eco-designed logo, accessible to all browsing profiles, and designed to function without heavy graphic dependencies.

🧭 A lightweight, fast and ethical website

• Visuals are reduced, compressed and sometimes even removed when they add no value. This is not a shortcoming, it is a choice. We are aware that no project is perfect and that we are not the best, but we are doing our best to improve!
• No advertising cookies. We do not use any trackers and do not collect personal data without your knowledge.
• No geolocation. Because discovering a new place also means getting a little lost, without being tracked.
• An energy-efficient website. Fewer resources on the server side, less demand on the user side.

♿ RGAA compliance: a website accessible in accordance with current standards

This website has been developed in accordance with the General guidelines for improving accessibility (RGAA in French), in compliance with legal requirements. All templates have been audited and corrected to ensure a high level of accessibility: correct HTML semantic structure, keyboard navigation possible on all pages, textual alternatives to non-textual content, verified colour contrast, content readability, compatibility with assistive technologies, etc.

If you encounter any difficulties in accessing or using the site, please let us know.

🖥️ A gradual and transparent approach

We know that eco-designing a website is an ongoing process. Despite the technical and editorial choices already made, our initial tests show that we still have room for improvement.

Rather than claiming that everything is perfect, we prefer to be transparent:

• we have laid the foundations for the concrete actions mentioned above;
• we have identified areas for improvement;
• we are moving forward step by step, with the ambition of gradually reducing the impact of our website.7

Our goal: to ensure that Nous La Rochelle becomes an increasingly sustainable and responsible website, in line with technical developments and our feedback.

🤝 An approach in line with the ecological transition

La Rochelle is a pioneer in the ecological transition. It was obvious that its tourism website should live up to this commitment. This eco-design is part of a broader vision that is more respectful, more sustainable, more local and, above all, more inclusive.

Because responsible digital technology cannot exist without accessibility, the ‘Nous La Rochelle’ website has been designed to be usable by everyone, regardless of their profile, usage or disability.