Naturoptère

What Naturoptère does

Naturoptère is a cultural and educational center dedicated to nature and the environment, located in Sérignan-du-Comtat, Vaucluse, France. It has been operated since 2017 by non-profit parent association Université Populaire Ventoux (headquartered in Carpentras) and functions as an inclusive enterprise combining permanent staff with employees in opportunity/training contracts. The organization is led by Damien Brunel as legal representative.

Its core offerings include interactive biodiversity gardens and exhibitions, age-segmented family workshops (toddlers 2–4 years, children 4–6 years, family creative and discovery workshops such as pottery with Cendrine Stagnitto and bat shelter construction), guided nature walks across Vaucluse, scientific conferences featuring researchers (Guillaume Lecointre, Audrey Dussutour, Elise Huchard), live performances (concerts, theatre, dance), seasonal yoga workshops, and summer evening events combining producer markets and food trucks. Programming is delivered year-round through seasonal calendars distributed via Facebook, Instagram, email newsletter, and downloadable PDF programs.

The business model is a hybrid of (i) paid participation fees on workshops and performances (€5–€25 per participant, with a yoga subscription tier at €24/session or €68 for 3 sessions) processed via the Hello Asso ticketing platform, (ii) exhibition/garden admission, and (iii) public funding support from the Conseil Départemental de Vaucluse and Université Populaire Ventoux that subsidizes free activities such as "Rendez-vous Nature" walks and scientific conferences. Distribution is direct-to-consumer: on-site attendance at the Sérignan-du-Comtat center, with bookings by phone, email, or Hello Asso. The organization has ~20 employees, no proprietary technology, and operates exclusively within the Vaucluse department.

Name

Naturoptère

Legal name

Université Populaire Ventoux

Website

https://naturoptere.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Naturoptère is a non-profit cultural and educational center in Sérignan-du-Comtat, Vaucluse, France, operated by Université Populaire Ventoux. It serves families, schools, naturalists, and culture seekers with biodiversity exhibitions, workshops, nature walks, performances, and conferences.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cultural and Environmental Education Center

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Arts & Design Camps (Visual Arts, Crafts, Design Thinking) (EDAMALAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Yoga & Meditation Experiences (Studio Classes, Guided Meditation, Mindfulness) (THAJAHAA)

Keywords

• Environmental education programs
• Nature-based tourism
• Cultural workshop services
• Ecotourism activities
• Community education center

Headquarters

HQ city

Sérignan-du-Comtat

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Workshop and event participation fees: Revenue from paid workshops (pottery, creative workshops, toddler workshops, discovery workshops), concerts, theater performances, and yoga sessions. Participation fees range from 5€ to 25€ depending on activity type.
2. Exhibition and garden admission: Revenue from visitors attending exhibitions and gardens showcasing biodiversity. Some events offer free admission while others charge reduced rates for indoor exhibitions.
3. Public funding and institutional support: The center is supported by Université Populaire Ventoux (parent association), the Vaucluse Departmental Council, and other public partners, enabling free or subsidized programming.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Naturoptère is a cultural and educational center operated by the non-profit association Université Populaire Ventoux in Sérignan-du-Comtat, Vaucluse, France. It delivers nature-themed exhibitions, family and school workshops, guided nature walks, performances, conferences, and yoga sessions on a site featuring gardens, vineyards, and agricultural land. The center serves families, school groups, naturalists, and cultural enthusiasts, with around 20 employees supporting year-round programming.

Product overview

Naturoptère is a unified cultural and educational center dedicated to nature and the living world, offering a diverse portfolio of programs for all audiences. The center combines hands-on exhibitions and biodiversity gardens with structured workshops (family activities, school programs, creative sessions, pottery), guided nature walks, live performances (concerts, theatre, dance), scientific conferences, and wellness activities (yoga). Programs are delivered year-round through seasonal programming cycles, with ticketing and registration managed via the HelloAsso platform. Since 2017, the center has been operated by Université Populaire Ventoux as an inclusive employer.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Exhibitions and Gardens Visit Self-guided access to themed exhibitions and the site's gardens, vineyards, and agricultural areas. Available to families, individuals, school groups, and visitors of all ages.
• Family and School Workshops Nature-themed educational workshops designed for families and school groups, focusing on environmental education and hands-on learning.
• Guided Nature Walks Guided walks through the local natural environment, available for individuals, families, and groups, often led by naturalists or local experts.
• Shows and Performances Scheduled cultural performances (including musical and theatrical events) offered to families, individuals, and cultural enthusiasts.
• Conferences Themed conferences on environmental, naturalist, and cultural topics delivered to adult visitors and interested members of the public.
• Yoga Workshops Yoga sessions offered as part of the wellness programming, available per session or through 10-session subscription packages. Suited for adults seeking wellness and relaxation.
• Summer Events and Seasonal Programming Seasonal and summer events combining outdoor activities, nature exploration, and cultural entertainment for families and visitors during the vacation period.

Quantifiable outcome

• Serving all publics from toddlers to confirmed naturalists, artists, and curious individuals

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Université Populaire VentouxcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Parent organization that has operated Naturoptère since 2017. UP Ventoux is an association contributing to the dynamization of the Vaucluse territory. Located in Carpentras, 214 Boulevard du Marechal Leclerc.
• Cultural and Scientific PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVarious cultural and scientific partners accompany Naturoptère throughout the year as shown in the partners section of the website. Logos displayed include institutional and associative partners supporting programming.
• Conseil Départemental de VauclusemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsors free 'Rendez-vous Nature' nature walks throughout Vaucluse, offering free guided excursions with Naturoptère animators. Events include biodiversity walks, nocturnal insect observation, dry stone wall education, and more.
• Association VolubilisminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociation partnering with Naturoptère for nature education events. Co-hosts 'Pierre sèche et biodiversité' nature walk in Caromb teaching dry stone construction techniques and biodiversity importance.
• Domaine de CourteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWine estate in Châteauneuf-du-Pape hosting 'Biodiversité et viticulture' nature walk including wine tasting, operated in partnership with Naturoptère.
• Various Producers (Market)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal producers (honey, olive oil, wines, market gardening, basketry, jewelry, pottery) participate in summer evening events at Naturoptère gardens, creating a festive market atmosphere.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Fondation pour la Nature et l'Homme (FNH): Large nature foundation (formerly Fondation Nicolas Hulot) with educational outreach, public campaigns, and program funding. Shares the dual mission of environmental education and societal engagement present in Naturoptère's inclusive enterprise model.
• Ligue pour la Protection des Oiseaux (LPO): Major French nature NGO running educational programs about biodiversity, organizing nature outings, and engaging local chapters across France. Overlaps with Naturoptère's naturalist programming and family-focused nature education.
• Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle: National natural history museum with educational programming, exhibitions, and biodiversity focus. Offers broader portfolio including Jardin des Plantes, but overlaps heavily with Naturoptère's nature education and exhibition mission.
• Office Français de la Biodiversité (OFB): National public biodiversity agency running public education programs, training educators, and funding regional nature education initiatives. Comparable public-mission structure and focus on biodiversity outreach.
• Parcs Nationaux de France: Federation of French national parks operating visitor centers, educational programming, and nature activities. Operates at much larger scale but addresses the same public audiences seeking nature-based cultural experiences.

Direct peers

• Réseau National des CPIE: National network of Centres Permanents d'Initiatives pour l'Environnement operating nature education centers throughout France. Local CPIE branches offer workshops, nature walks, and environmental education in a nonprofit association structure directly comparable to Naturoptère.
• Domaine du Rayol - Le Jardin des Méditerranées: Botanical garden and visitor center in coastal Provence combining themed gardens, nature education programming, and cultural events. Operates a similar hybrid model of gardens + workshops + cultural activities in the same PACA region.
• Domaine de la Palissade - Camargue Nature Park: Nature reserve and visitor center in the Camargue running educational programming, guided nature walks, and family activities. Smaller regional-scale operation with similar hybrid education/welcome center model.
• Maison de l'Environnement de la Région Parisienne: Environmental education and cultural center hosting exhibitions, workshops, and family programming on nature topics. Comparable nonprofit/association governance structure and hybrid cultural-environmental mission.
• Conservatoire d'Espaces Naturels Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur: Regional nature conservation organization running biodiversity education programs and visitor activities in the same PACA region. Comparable mission of protecting and educating the public about local ecosystems.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights3 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/naturoptere
• Instagraminstagram.com/lenaturoptere/?hl=fr
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/naturopt%C3%A8re

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Naturoptère