Les Arches Castriotes

Location

Castries (Hérault)

PLANTS

36,177 plants in total, including more than 1,100 trees

SPECIES PLANTED

More than 100

Icône jumelles, espèces observées

SPECIES OBSERVED

47

CO2 SEQUESTRATION

~ 340 T

4.06 ha certified on the four pillars: carbon, water, soil, biodiversity

From exhausted land to a green haven 

Once farmed with conventional viticulture until the soil was exhausted, Les Arches Castriotes are now reborn as a resilient and diverse ecosystem. To achieve this, we chose plant species adapted to the Mediterranean climate: almond trees, fruit trees, aromatic plants and a flowering meadow for pollinators.

This ecosystem does not just host biodiversity: it produces. We harvest honey, essential oils, almonds and Sichuan pepper. Every element of the site plays its part, for sustainable production that respects life.

This rebirth has been measured and certified since 2026 on carbon, water, soil and biodiversity, a world first together with Montignac Forest. These results are converted into carbon, water, soil and biodiversity credits.

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“A strong economy in a fragile environment is an illusion.”
Yann Fortunato, founder of Racines de France®

Adapting and reinventing new regenerative farming practices

 

Les Arches Castriotes is a sustainable agriculture demonstration site: an innovative agroforestry approach that produces locally while preserving the environment and fighting climate change.

On 5 hectares, we bet on diversity: more than 100 species, chosen for their ability to adapt to the climate. We also fully restored the site’s 800 metres of riverside woodland, which brought back many birds and amphibians, and our practices protect the soil from erosion.

Scientific monitoring (camera traps, sound recorders, sensors, drone) measures the site’s progress every year.

Our certified results

Independent certification obtained in 2026, covering 4.06 ha over 35 years. Each credit corresponds to a result measured in the field and compared with a control area.

Carbon

1 373

credits
1 credit = 1 t of CO₂ captured

Water

5 962

credits
1 credit = 1 m³ of water infiltrated or retained

Soil

15

credits
1 credit = 1 t of soil protected from erosion

Biodiversity

1 322

credits
1 credit = 1 unit of biodiversity restored

Safety reserve: 20% of credits are set aside to guarantee the project’s durability. Credits usable for CSRD (ESRS E1-E4) and VSME.

Discover our credits

The project in video

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Carbon, water, soil and biodiversity credits from Les Arches Castriotes are available to committed businesses.