Welcome. Our vision is one of a truly sustainable world, both at a human level and at an environmental level. Through diversity of renewable technologies, low carbon footprint living and human development we have a positive outlook for society and mankind’s future. For many years we have offered our Residential Internship Program which combines artistic, therapeutic and holistic workshops and seminars for personal development in our wonderful old farmhouse in southern Ardèche, France and our newest center in Adelaide Australia. Our courses include diverse subjects ranging from Meditation, BioSynergy, relaxation therapy, Gestalt therapy, sustainable living, solar power implementation, bio farming, wind power generation to ‘inner growth’ workshops like improvising on cello and piano, pottery, sculpture, storytelling, voice, inner journey.
We are particularly thrilled with our new sustainable living center in the Adelaide Hills, South Australia. The land we have chosen for our self sustainability centre and community was very carefully chosen and the final decision was based on water close to the surface, elevated land at a reasonably good price, organically enhanced and fertile soil, solar power and wind power or possibly both potential and in a location that is in sympathy for our human development programs.
We run monthly workshops from this stunning solar powered, eco-friendly facility and weekly meditation, sculpture, bio-diversity and solar panel and wind energy implementation classes weekly. Our world renowned international centre in southern Ardèche, France has offered residential courses for over 12 years and continues to flourish. We have a lovely symmetry between our French and Australian centres and many of our clients have visited both centres!
As of April 2012 our Blancards Consciousness Center in South French Ardèche, now provides 24 residential courses and workshops per year aiming at personal growth and sustainable living. Our course welcomes individuals and groups with up to 16 participants. Our Adelaide Hills, South Australian Center currently offers 44 courses and this number is likely to grow through 2013. We are thrilled at the ongoing support from our wonderful clients and look forward to seeing you again soon.
Our Adelaide ”Green Living Workshop” proposed for June 2012 has 40 people signed up already – thank you for this wonderful support- the course outline is around creating an energy efficient home design for truly sustainable living.All aspects of sustainability are covered from bio farming to technical issues including solar space heating panels, a “geo-thermal” heat pump discussion and tank-less water heating systems. Above all, we focus on affordable renewable energy systems, solar and wind and how to create an energy efficient home and how to choose the right appliances. Since the renewable energy workshops are always popular we suggest contact us as soon as possible if you are interested in volunteering or participating in this amazing time!
We explore features of energy efficient appliances and everything related to sustainable living and renewable energy for your home.
We will be posting details of our Ardèche and Adelaide upcoming workshops and courses over the next few weeks and months. All courses are by donation only and we maintain a strong ‘not for profit’ ethic, whilst understanding costs need to be covered to enable us to complete our work. We have been touched by the very kind support of our participants over the last 12 years from our humble beginnings in our rambling French farm house.
How We Found Our Wonderful Blancards Adelaide Hill Centre.
We purchased our Adelaide property from a lovely man, John Foster. John had been looking for a retreat or farm in Adelaide for many years and unfortunately certain areas of South Australia were under the threat from hydraulic fracturing which threatened the water table and integrity and quality of water in many areas John looked. He had hoped
to build an approximately 15 acre retreat and orchard as his partner Anne was a certified apple grower . John had a lot of green skills such as solar panel system design, grey-water systems, natural spring protection, composting and permaculture. He was also a great builder and had extensive timber framing experience. John, looking to retire, contacted us when he heard of our search for a new location for our Australian centre. It was a match made in heaven! John is a regular contributor to our workshops and is still closely connected to the land on which our centre is built.
Sustainable Living is Happy Living!
We are constantly noticing that visitors to our centres are amazed at what we
have done with such little financial investment to create a paradise of a community with organic, nurturing food and eco friendly shelter and awe inspiring natural beauty. Without exception they are immediately inspired and always want to get hands dirty to have the same kind of lifestyle that we have enjoyed for so many years. They will never be heard
grumbling or complaining about how society controls their life when they feel active love for the land and often want to stay on indefinitely! The lifestyle and teachings offered at Blancards they say, often saved their health and they commit to a sustainable lifestyle and natural living and focus less on accumulating money and material wealth and many say they wish that they would have learned about natural living earlier on in life. Very inspiring!
be very practical and Phil and John will give you their step by step guide to integrating solar panels into your home and discuss how Government incentives for solar and wind power can lessen the cost of implementing these measures. Wind power is less well known in Australia as an adjunct to solar power, but, depending on your location can replace up to 60 percent of grid sourced electricity. It is an excellent ‘partner’ with solar panels as wind power can operate during non daylight hours unlike solar.