Be it historical, architectural or natural, our heritage can prove to be a genuine economic development lever for public authorities. A few examples to prove it.

The secrets of sensible management

The secrets of sensible management
The secrets of sensible management
A Regional Council department, formerly a State service, the Lower Normandy General Cultural Heritage Inventory (IGPC) is entrusted with the mission of studying all aspects of the region’s extremely diverse heritage. Over and above its scientific and historic relevance, this approach also targets public authorities, providing them with a few secrets for sensibly managing their heritage. The inventory can also offer inhabitants themselves improved awareness of the wealth of the territory within which they live and of which they often prove to be the best ambassadors.

Despite its ideal geographical location – between the Mont Saint-Michel and the D-Day Landing beaches – and the remarkable sites it boasts (the Vire gorges, the Saint-Sever forest, lakes…) Intercom Severine has come nevertheless noted that tourists do not linger within its territory. Why not? Due to a lack of accommodation and insufficient promotion of its heritage, according a study conducted in 2006. To develop visitor loyalty, it plans to create a development including 80 atypical accommodation units (gipsy caravans, cabins, etc.) and a number of activities within the Saint-Sever forest. Between sites of interest, walking routes have also been mapped out and will be enhanced with information panels.

“Developing attractiveness”

Intercom Severine fully intends to “develop its attractiveness” thanks to its heritage. From 15,000 to 20,000 visitors are expected for the site’s inauguration, late 2011. In Suisse Normande, the community of communes is already relying on its natural heritage to develop its tourist attractiveness. However, “we need to maintain our appeal by continuously offering novelties”, believes Jean Vanryckeghem, president of the Tourism Commission. As early as 2011, new horse riding routes will also be developed in partnership with neighbouring “Pays” and a new “walking weekend” package will be on offer.
To increase its economic activity, the Pays d’Argentan Pays d’Auge Ornais (PAPAO) has also drawn from the skills and know-how its territory prides itself in. A certified Centre of Rural Excellence (PER) for its horse industry, the Pays has devoted the great majority of associated subsidies (€800,000) to a collective modernisation campaign involving all of the sector’s businesses. “Between 2007 and 2006, 68 of our associated businesses benefited from support,” adds Christian Domer, director of the PAPAO. “And, alongside €750,000 of grants, professionals actually invested a total of €5.6M. Concurrently, six new businesses were created.
France’s last surviving bastion of the copperware trade, the community of communes of Villedieu-les-Poêles, was also awarded PER certification in 2006. The community consequently decided to encourage the promotion of these long-established crafts by focusing its strategy on its craft federation, the creation of a “showcase” and the transmission of traditional skills. Consequently, created in 2006, the association Villedieu M.A.D.E ⁽¹⁾, reuniting 35 professionals and craftsmen, now promotes their skills throughout France and further afield. Finally, in 2009, the first copperware trade training course was also launched at the Lycée Curie in Saint-Lô.

1. M.A.D.E: Métiers d’Art - Design – Export (Art, Design and Export trades).

	Intercom Severine Lenaïck Favrais, director - Tel: 02 31 68 90 24
	Patrick Madeleine, president of the Economic and Tourist Development Commission Tel: 02 31 66 02 26
	Suisse Normande – Community of Communes Jean Vanryckeghem, president of the Tourism Commission - Tel: 02 31 90 99 67
	Pays d’Argentan Pays d’Auge Ornais (PAPAO) Christian Domer, director - Tel: 02.33.36.85.83
	Inventaire général du patrimoine culturel de la Région Basse-Normandie (Lower Normandy general cultural heritage inventory) Yannick Lercherbonnier, director Tel: 02 31 06 89 50
	Emmanuel Luis, researcher - Tel: 02 31 06 89 52
	Villedieu M.A.D.E Serge Gastebois, president - Tel: 02 33 48 12 44
	Valérie Coupel, consultant in cultural engineering - Tel: 02 33 49 82 06

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