develop participatory and community-based initiatives focused on mutual aid, solidarity, and the ecological transition.

A non-profit organization established under the French Law of 1901, dedicated to developing participatory and community-based initiatives focused on mutual aid, solidarity, and the ecological transition. Our goal: to foster connections among residents in Les Matelles and on Pic Saint-Loup.

The Trait d’Union association carries out participatory initiatives to foster connections and cooperation among residents in the village of Les Matelles (Hérault).

Our ambitions, our commitments

• to consume better, choosing high-quality local products,
• promote cultural exchange,
• avoid waste and reduce trash,
• organizing mutual aid and sharing skills,
• taking action for the environment at the local level,
• learn about our heritage and natural spaces.

 Our actions

- Responsible food lovers: We propose an alternative model of consumption and social organization based not on competition, but on solidarity, cooperation, proximity, and trust.

Food products must be distributed through a chain that is as direct as possible in terms of both distance and/or the number of intermediaries, and be part of a project that enjoys consensus within the “Responsible and Solidarity-Minded Food Lovers”

Therefore, we are creating the Responsible and Solidarity-Minded Gourmets to enable us to meet our essential needs and consume only what is necessary.

- On the way...

Setting out to discover the Mediterranean flora that surrounds our village is what Trait d’Union offers, counting among its ranks a botanist who is as passionate as he is eager to share his knowledge.

Observing, sharing, and identifying the many species that come to life in the spring are on the agenda for these botanical walks, which take place every two weeks between April and June.

- Gratiferia is a Spanish neologism that literally means “free fair.”    “Take what you need, give what you want, or both (or nothing)! A wonderful opportunity to take a step toward joyful simplicity… Or to make room in your closets

· VRAP: (responsible tableware to share)  By establishing a free service for lending reusable tableware—previously nonexistent—open to anyone in the Grand Pic Saint Loup area (residents, organizations, and local authorities), the association aims to:Reduce the volume of waste generated during local events, raise public awareness of sustainable practices and alternatives, conserve and make the most of resources, and lower the cost of such events for organizers.

In addition to its own projects, Trait d’Union aims to serve as an “umbrella” for other initiatives in order to facilitate the work of those who wish to develop innovative proposals that share our values while maintaining full freedom of action.