Creation of the French World Heritage Properties Association

This previously informal network first met in September 2004 at the instigation of the Val de Loire.

The aims of the new association are to:
- Create the conditions for sharing and exchanging ideas and experiences in the areas of heritage conservation, protection, promotion and mediation
- Act as a source of ideas and reflection in the areas listed above with the key players involved in heritage in France and around the world
- Promote the sites included on the World Heritage list to the general public and operators in the tourism sector


Board of Directors :

13 ex officio members, all of which manage listed sites:
- Abbey church of Saint-Savin sur Gartempe
- Jurisdiction of Saint-Emilion
- Pont du Gard
- Belfries of France
- Historic site of Lyon
- Le Havre
- Val de Loire
- Arles
- Nancy
- Strasbourg
- Fontenay Abbey
- Provins
- Bordeaux

2 qualified individuals:
- Yves Dauge, senator for Indre-et-Loire
- Minja Yang, Director of the UNESCO office in India


Officers :

President: Yves Dauge ( photo)
Vice-presidents: the towns of Arles and Lyon
Treasurer: Le Pont du Gard
Deputy treasurer: the town of Nancy

Secretary: the Val de Loire
Deputy secretary: the jurisdiction of Saint-Emilion

The association's programme of work, which was sketched out at the workshops held on 27 September (expertise and management plans, promotion and communications, and international partnerships), is due to be approved at the next meeting of the officers, which will take place between now and the end of the year.