Eco-resort planned for Paris suburbs

(Disney)

Two of Europe's leading travel brands unveiled a new eco-resort concept November 24, promising a "unique model of sustainable development."

Villages Nature is a green idea that could be realized as soon as 2015 and has been created by Euro Disney and Pierre & Vacances, the brand behind Europe's Center Parcs resorts.

Developed around a 3,500 square meter geothermal lagoon, the resort is designed to appeal to an eco-conscious traveler looking to connect with nature on holiday - the companies plan activities such as gardening, boating, hiking, horseriding and seasonal festivals and culinary events.

The partners say that 90 percent of the resort would be retained as green space, although some 1,730 apartments or cottages would be built in three villages on the 70,000 square meter site.

One village would be constructed inside a forest and a further two around the lake, which sits some 6 km south of Disneyland Paris, just outside the French capital.

However, with the resort promoting "a message of harmony between Man and Nature," its creators are keen to stress the green targets such as sustainable materials, transportation, food and water and zero carbon and wastage, along with the geothermal heating taken from underneath the project site.

With fellow French brand Club Med already creating its own "Eco-Nature" resorts such as the one in Cherating Beach in Malaysia, Villages Nature is set to face some tough competition in the burgeoning green travel market.

It is set to be developed over a 20 year time frame, although visitors shouldn't book their flight tickets just yet - the companies warned that it will be launched "depending on market conditions."