Les Amanins

What Les Amanins does

Les Amanins is a French agroecological center and worker cooperative (SCOP) operating from a single 1.2-hectare site in La Roche sur Grâne, Drôme, within the Biovallée territory. Founded in 2003-2008 by agroecology philosopher Pierre Rabhi, entrepreneur Michel Valentin, and educator Isabelle Peloux, the organization operates three integrated functions on one site: (1) a polyculture-livestock agroecological farm achieving 80% food self-sufficiency through market gardening, livestock (cows, pigs, chickens, horses, sheep), and wood-fired bread production; (2) eco-constructed accommodations and meeting facilities used for vacation stays, corporate seminars, and training workshops; and (3) the École du Colibri, a cooperative elementary school (CP-CM2, ~40 students) recognized by the French Ministry of Education since 2014.

The business operates a direct-to-consumer, asset-heavy model with five revenue streams: vacation stays (€181-€369 per person), corporate eco-seminars and team-building, school discovery classes (classes découverte), weekend workshops and training (gardening, dry-toilet construction, cheese-making, beekeeping), and ancillary revenue from farm product sales plus a €20 annual membership/donation program (66% tax deductible under its "general interest" nonprofit status). Distribution is single-channel: direct booking via lesamanins.com (WooCommerce + Stripe) plus on-site sales, with VACAF and ANCV partnerships enabling public-subsidy access. Go-to-market relies on content marketing (blog, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn), earned media (France 3, Le Dauphiné Libéré), event participation (De Ferme en Ferme, Rencontres de Die — 3,000+ annual visitors), and a coalition partnership ecosystem (INRAE, Mouvement Colibris, Regen'Ecosystem, UNIPAZ, Oorzone, Impact France).

In late 2024 the company underwent significant financial restructuring: 5 of ~15 permanent employees were laid off, market gardeners transitioned to independent GAEC status, and a crowdfunding campaign raised €55,092 of a €100,000 target to fund its 2023-2026 "Projet Régénération" — a strategic repositioning of the site as a center for transmission and experimentation on regenerative landscape design and peace education. Current leadership comprises Tomy Valentin (SCOP manager) and Olivier Massicot (Association co-president).

Name

Les Amanins

Legal name

SCOP Les Amanins / Association Les Amanins

Website

https://lesamanins.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

French worker cooperative and agroecological center in Drôme operating an integrated farm, eco-accommodations, and cooperative elementary school, offering farm vacations, corporate eco-seminars, school discovery classes, and regenerative-practice workshops to families, companies, and adult learners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agroecological Hospitality & Education

NAICS

Vegetable and Melon Farming (1112), Animal Production and Aquaculture (112)

SIC

Agricultural Production-Crops (100)

akta.pro primary industry

Agritourism Eco-Lodges & Farm Nature Stays (THAAAHAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Organic Vegetable & Melon Farming (Open-Field) (AFAGAKAC), Sustainable/Regenerative Agriculture & Conservation Practices (EDAOAOAO), Farmstay Rooms (Working Farms/Ranches) (THAMABAG)

Keywords

• Agroecological tourism
• Farm vacation stays
• Corporate team building
• Environmental education
• Agricultural training workshops

Headquarters

HQ city

La Roche sur Grâne

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Vacation stays: Family vacation programs at the farm offering full board with accommodations in shared rooms, cabins, or lodges. Activities include farm exploration, animal encounters, bread-making workshops, and nature-based games.
2. Seminars and team-building: Corporate seminars and team-building events in nature, offering learning expeditions and eco-responsible event hosting.
3. School discovery classes: Educational programs for school groups combining ecological awareness and environmental respect through hands-on nature activities.
4. Workshops and training: Weekend workshops on agroecological gardening, dry toilet construction, and other practical skills. Prices range from €181-303 per person depending on accommodation formula.
5. Farm products: Direct sales of farm products during events like De Ferme en Ferme and from the on-site boutique.
6. Donations and memberships: Donations (monthly or one-time) and annual memberships at €20, with 66% tax deduction for donors. The association is recognized as being of general interest.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Les Amanins operates an agroecological center in the Biovallée territory (Drôme, France) offering farm-based vacation stays for families, eco-responsible corporate seminars and team-building events, school discovery classes for environmental education, and weekend workshops on agroecological gardening and eco-construction. The site combines a working polyculture-livestock farm (1.2 hectares achieving 80% food self-sufficiency), eco-built accommodations, meeting facilities, and the École du Colibri cooperative elementary school.

Product overview

Les Amanins is an agroecological center offering a diverse portfolio of experiential products centered around sustainable living and rural community. The core offerings include vacation farm stays, green seminars for businesses, educational discovery classes for schools, and professional workshops and training programs. These are supported by an operational agroecological farm (1.2 hectares of market gardening, livestock, and bakery achieving 80% food self-sufficiency) and the École du Colibri, a cooperative elementary school. The center also hosts specialized programs like peace education seminars and agroecological gardening workshops. A major Regeneration Project (2023-2026) is underway to transform the site into a center for transmission and experimentation on living well together in rural areas, focusing on regenerative landscapes and peace education.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Farm Vacation Stays (Séjours à la ferme) Immersive multi-day vacation stays at the agroecological farm offering full board with accommodation in shared rooms, cabins, or lodges, plus nature activities, farm exploration, animal encounters, bread-making workshops, and cooperative games for families.
• Green Seminars & Team-Building (Séminaires au vert) Eco-responsible corporate seminars and team-building events in a preserved natural setting in Drôme, offering learning expeditions for companies focused on ecological transition and team cohesion.
• School Discovery Classes (Classes découvertes) Educational nature programs for school groups offering practical ecology and environmental awareness activities ranging from a few hours to several days, combining farm activities with cooperative learning.
• Workshops and Training (Stages et formations) Weekend and multi-day workshops and training programs including agroecological gardening, dry toilet construction, cheese-making, and other practical sustainable living skills. Pricing ranges from €181-303 per person depending on accommodation formula.
• Agroecological Farm (Ferme agroécologique) Polyculture livestock farm on 1.2 hectares producing vegetables, fruits, bread from a wood-fired oven, and dairy products, reaching 80% food self-sufficiency for the center's guests.
• École du Colibri Elementary school (CP to CM2) with cooperative pedagogy focused on cooperation, peace education, and ecological values, recognized by National Education as a private secular school under contract with the State since 2014. Currently enrolling approximately 40 students.
• Agroecological Garden Discovery Workshop (Stage découverte Débuter son potager agroécologique) Weekend workshop teaching fundamentals of agroecological vegetable gardening, including soil preparation, crop rotation, and practical hands-on experience, with maximum 12 participants.
• Peace Seminar with UNIPAZ - Cultivating Peace Together Two-day seminar organized with UNIPAZ focusing on inner transformation and cultivating peace culture through science, philosophy, arts, and ancient wisdom. Base rate €150; solidarity rate €100; support rate €200; plus €20 membership and €45 for 2 half-board meals.
• Winter Farm Vacation Stay (Séjour vacances Un hiver à la ferme) Five-day winter vacation stay with farm activities, bread-making workshops, bird feeder construction, and cooperative games in family settings. €369 per person for 5-day winter vacation including full board. VACAF labeled for CAF families.
• Farm Product Sales Direct sales of farm products (vegetables, fruits, bread, dairy) during events like De Ferme en Ferme and from the on-site boutique.
• Annual Association Membership Annual membership at €20 per year, granting association status with 66% tax deduction applicable. Recognized as being of general interest.

Quantifiable outcome

• 80% food autonomy through ultra-short organic supply chain
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered supporting, core and major.

• Dryade26supportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Association facilitating relationship with forests and regenerating forest culture. Partnering for forest health analysis and practices at Amanins.
• DromolibsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Local organization addressing mobility and access issues. Partnering for accessibility and transportation analysis at Amanins.
• UNIPAZ FrancecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025International peace university association. Joint seminars on peace culture and education hosted at Amanins as part of regeneration project axis on cultivating peace.
• Regen'EcosystemcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024National coalition of 20+ actors committed to regenerative economy. February 2024 gathering at Amanins to exchange practices and generate common culture around regenerative approaches.
• OorzonemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Mission-driven events and impact travel company. Joint Learning Expedition on 'Ecological Transition and Regeneration' hosted at Amanins.
• Impact FrancemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Movement of pioneers working on ecological and social business transition. June 2024 meeting for Drôme regional leaders hosted at Amanins.
• Regenesis Institute for Regenerative PracticemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024International regenerative practice institute launching first French practitioner training program, with closing session hosted at Amanins.
• INRAEsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024National research institute for agriculture, environment, and food. Partner in action-research project on regeneration.
• Terre & HumanismesupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Association promoting agroecology and permaculture. Partner in action-research project on regeneration.
• Pour une Hydrologie RégénérativecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Association promoting regenerative hydrology. October 2024 meetings hosted at Amanins; partner in action-research regeneration project.
• ADAF 26supportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Agricultural development association in Drôme. Partner in action-research regeneration project.
• AgribiodrômesupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Association promoting organic agriculture in Drôme. Partner in action-research regeneration project.
• École Pratique de la Nature et des SavoirssupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Practical school of nature and knowledge. Partner in action-research regeneration project.
• CFPPA de DiesupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Continuing education center for agriculture. Partner in action-research regeneration project.
• CodytersupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Territorial development organization. Partner in action-research regeneration project.
• WWoofFrancesupportingOthers · 1 January 2024Willing Workers on Organic Farms France network. Collaboration for hosting volunteers and sharing organic farming practices.
• Les AlvéolescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPermaculture training, permathèque, study bureau and agroforestry nursery. Partner in landscape regenerative design diagnostic and implementation for Amanins ecosystem regeneration project.
• PermalabcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudy bureau and training organization specializing in regenerative agriculture and hydrology. Co-developed agro-paysager diagnostic for regenerative landscape design.
• Urscop (SCOP)supportingOthersFrench federation of cooperative enterprises (SCOP). Les Amanins is itself a SCOP and benefits from Urscop network support.
• Civam DrômesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgricultural development association. Les Amanins is a member of Civam Drôme network and participates in De Ferme en Ferme events.
• LPO (Ligue pour la Protection des Oiseaux)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerBird protection league. Partnership for biodiversity inventories and nature education activities during school programs.
• BiovalléecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTerritorial development association in Drôme valley. Les Amanins is located on Biovallée territory and participates in regional ecological initiatives.
• VACAFsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCAF vacation aid program. VACAF-approved center allowing qualifying families to use vacation subsidies for stays at Les Amanins.
• Mouvement ColibrissupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerMovement founded by Pierre Rabhi promoting ecological and social transition. Ideological partner sharing values of cooperation and happy sobriety.
• ANCVsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNational agency for vacation checks. Partner for vacation payment support services.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Terre & Humanisme: Pierre Rabhi's agroecology training association, a current Les Amanins partner. Operates training centers and a network of demonstration farms with similar pedagogy and Pierre Rabhi-aligned mission.
• La Ferme du Bonheur: Agroecological farm in Île-de-France offering discovery classes, group stays, and on-site catering with a strong pedagogical mission — directly comparable French educational farm-stay offering.
• Fermes d'Avenir: French network of agroecological farms developing training, labeling, and funding mechanisms for regenerative agriculture — direct peer in mission, membership network, and donor ecosystem.
• Ferme des Enfants (Pierre Rabhi): Pierre Rabhi's own agroecological farm and educational project in Ardèche — the original living laboratory that inspired Les Amanins and shares its pedagogy-of-nature approach for children and families.
• Mouvement Colibris: Movement founded by Pierre Rabhi promoting ecological and social transition. Strategic ideological partner of Les Amanins and host of similar transition-focused citizen projects across France.
• Terre Vivante: Ecological education center based in Isère with demonstration gardens, training programs, and on-site lodging — comparable combination of education, accommodation, and hands-on ecological practice.
• Ardelaine: Cooperative in Ardèche combining wool/textile production with on-site educational visits, eco-museum, and group stays — similar SCOP structure and integrated agroecology-education-tourism model.

Others

• Regen'Ecosystem: French coalition of 20+ actors committed to regenerative economy; Les Amanins is a host site. Thematically aligned ecosystem/network peer rather than a direct competitor.

Regional players

• Oorzone: Mission-driven French impact-travel company and Les Amanins partner, co-organizing Learning Expeditions on ecological transition. Comparable peer in regenerative eco-tourism but operates as a travel/event agency rather than a physical site.

Broad incumbents

• La Bergerie nationale de Rambouillet: State-affiliated educational farm and heritage site offering school discovery classes and agroecology training — comparable educational-agriculture offering at larger, publicly-funded scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@lesamanins-26400
• Facebookfacebook.com/LesAmanins
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/les-amanins
• Instagraminstagram.com/les.amanins

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Les Amanins