The Network


The network

The Grands Sites de France network: 43 Grands Sites, 32 millions visitors

At its creation in 2000 the Grands Sites network covered 17 sites, today there are 43 members. 17 of them have received the Grand Site de France label.
You can find out more about them in the “Member site” section and by downloading the network brochure.


A living network with exchange and reflection at the fore

Created in November 2000, the Grands Sites de France network is a French association under the law of 1901, which brings together local organisations responsible for the stewardship of the Grands Sites.

The network is a very lively centre where people share their experiences and know-how for the sites. It brings together the sites that have already been awarded the “Grand Site de France” label and those which are less advanced and that are still in the study or remediation stages.

What the sites have in common is that they are all looking for innovative functions that allow quality welcome while respecting the spirit of the sites combined with the generation of positive impact on surrounding local economy.

The network also takes part in national and international reflection on the future of these areas of outstanding natural beauty and heritage site, facing their long-term conservation within the context of growing pressure from tourism.


The Grands Sites de France network is a member of the International Council on Monuments and Sites

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Learn more
download the Grands Sites de France network brochure
see the Grands Sites de France network statutes (in french)

 

International contacts

Wednesday, 14 September 2011 15:23

European and international contacts

The Grands Sites de France network is looking to increase its contacts with sites in Europe and the world to exchange practice techniques and experiences.

It is an active member of International Council on Monuments and Sites. Its members take part in a good many European programmes.

Since 2010, the Grand Site de France Network also coordinates the International Training and Exchange Centre for Francophone Heritage Sites' Managers. It is intended for French-speaking site managers worldwide, whether they come from French-speaking countries or not, who wish to manage their sites in a sustainable manner, confront their views and share their practices with peers who face similar issues.
For more information: www.polepatrimoine.org

The Grands Sites annual meetings

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This is an annual opportunity explore a theme that is important for the management and future of the Grands Sites over two days. It brings together all the network members as well as its partners.

Hosted on a different Grand Site every year, these ‘Rencontres’ (meetings) have been held since 1999, on the following themes:

2006 in Bibracte Mont-Beuvray
"the Grand Sites and the touristical strategy of the territories."

2005 in Marais Poitevin
“Visitor centres and interpretation on the Grands Sites”

2004 in the Baie de Somme
International symposium in partnership with the International Council on Monuments and Sites - France
“Living on a Grand Site: belief in sustainable development”

2003 at the Roches de Solutré Pouilly Vergisson
“What are the requirements for welcoming the public onto the Grands Sites?”

2002 at the Cirque de Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval
“Economic spin-off from the Grands Sites”

2001 at Montagne Sainte Victoire
“Signposting on the Grands Site"

2000 at the Pointe du Raz
“Public security on the Grands Sites – Responsibility of the steward managers and owners”

1999 at Domaine du Rayol
“The sense of places and Grands Sites management”

You can read an exposé on each Rencontre here (in french)

How to become a member

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To be – or to become – a member of the Grands Sites de France Network

Any organisation that stewards, manages, enhances and is committed to the remediation and sustainable management of sites that are protected under the French law of 2nd May 1930 that are much visited, may become active members of the GSF network. To belong to the network is to share the values of sustainable development and to be committed to do everything necessary to be awarded, at the end of a freely set time, the official Grand Site de France label. Associated members (with no voting rights) are sites that don’t qualify to be awarded the label, individuals who would like to join in the reflection of the network or organisations which wish to support the network’s actions.

Financial support

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The Grands Sites de France network is financially supported by the Ministry for Ecology and Sustainable Development, the Ministry for Tourism and receives patronage from companies including the Fondation Gaz de France and the Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations.

The Grands Sites de France network coordinates The International Training and Exchange Centre for Francophone Heritage Sites' Managers . It is financially supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Culture and Communication.

 

 

How the network works

Wednesday, 14 September 2011 15:00

President of honour: Ambroise Guellec, ex-Minister, European Member of Parliament
President: Louis Villaret, Grand Site de Solutré Pouilly Vergisson
Network director: Anne Vourc’h

The dynamism of the network depends on the involvement of elected representatives and the Site technicians, who join to form workgroups by theme. This gives depth to how ideas are thought out and projects are set up. Each workgroup creates and manages its own specific tools.

>> To contact GSF network

"Les territoires patrimoniaux face au changement climatique"

Retour sur les 25èmes Rencontres

 

The Grands Sites de France network brings together exceptional, fragile, protected and listed cultural landscapes. All the site managers share their belief in sustainable development.

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