Life label

The Pointe du Raz, the Pont du Gard, the Gorges du Verdon, the Montagne Sainte-Victoire, the Cirque de Navacelles, the Dune du Pilat, the Roche de Solutré, here is a little taste of the 51 national heritage treasures labeled “ Grand Site de France” or in the process of being. Sublime or picturesque, grandiose or intimate, captivating or soothing, each Grand Site has and exudes a “spirit” of its own.

The painters, the poets, the writers were not mistaken. Approaching it, they knew how to transmit it like Cézanne, whose brush froze the sides of the Montagne Sainte Victoire, or Lamartine whose verses picked out the crests of the Roche de Solutré.

Exceptional sites

cover doc framework values

The Great Sites of France are above all remarkable, emblematic landscapes and landscapes. The members of the Network of Grands Sites de France recognize these landscapes as having an exceptional, unique, singular character which justifies their protection (classification).

Each Grand Site de France has its own personality, which has a certain permanence over time. This personality is closely linked to the unique history of the place. But a Grand Site de France also has a living character which connects the site with the past but also with the future. This particularity implies the capacity of the place to evolve. The roots of the place, which are strongly expressed in the landscape, give it an authenticity nourished by the diversity of natural, human, historical and cultural components. 

The terms “landscape” and “heritage”, in what they mean as an alliance of natural and cultural values, come up more often in the mouths of managers than the words “nature” or “biodiversity”.

The landscape, as an interaction between nature and man, distinguishes the Grands Sites de France within all families of protected areas (compared in particular to Regional Natural Parks or Natural Reserves).

Extract from the document “Common values ​​of the Grands Sites de France”, 2014

A label awarded by the State

Le label “Grand Site de France” belongs to the State. The latter filed it with the National Institute of Industrial Property in 2003. It is managed by the Ministry in charge of Ecology. It is registered in the environmental code Art. L 341-15-1 since the law of July 12, 2010 carrying a national commitment to the environment.

It is awarded for a period of 6 years, after advice from the Higher Commission for Sites, Perspectives and Landscapes and the Network of Grands Sites de France.

The “Grand Site de France” label is recognition of management consistent with the principles of sustainable development,, reconciling preservation of the landscape and “ the spirit of the place ", quality of public reception, participation of inhabitants and partners in the life of the Grand Site.

 

 51 Great Sites of France labeled, or in the process of being labeled, are all:

  • des sites classified under the law of May 2, 1930 sure " the protection of natural monuments and sites of artistic, historical, scientific, legendary or picturesque character”, for a significant part of their territory, 
  • places of national interest with a strong reputation,
  • victims of a excessive attendance,
  • the object of a local desire for rehabilitation and management.

 

In Burgundy-Franche-Comté, the following are recognized:

  • 2 Great Sites of France certified : Bibracte-Morvan of the summits and Solutré Pouilly Vergisson
  • 4 Major Sites in project (Operation Large Site): Vineyard and Reculées du Jura, Vallée du Hérisson – Plateau des 7 Lacs, Ballon d’Alsace and Vézelay.

Discover the Network of Grands Sites de France

Learn more

Beauties in Peril

These landscapes emblematic are part of our collective imagination but suffer from their notoriety.  Welcoming visitors, in increasing numbers every day, degrades them.

The Grands Sites pursue a clear ambition: to promote the preservation of “ the spirit of the place » at the heart of their action so that each visitor, today and tomorrow, can experience in turn “ the experience of the place ».

Shared values

The Grands Sites de France share values. for both objectives: common:

  • offer visitors restored sites and preserved,
  • promote a sustainable tourism and responsible while respecting the living conditions of residents,
  • generate economic benefits for nearby regions,
  • ensure a active management and lasting of these “ treasures » of our heritage.