Launched by the Council of Europe in 1987, the Cultural Routes demonstrate, through travel through time and space, that the heritage of different European countries contributes to the common cultural heritage. France is now the European country crossed by the largest number of cultural routes of the Council of Europe, with 31 routes listed out of the 48 certified in Europe.
Contents
The interactive map of the Cultural Routes
What is the «Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe» programme?
What are the modalities of certification «Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe»?
What are the advantages of the «Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe» certification?
List of 31 routes that pass through France
How to apply?
The interactive map of the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe
This map presents all the routes labeled in France by the Council of Europe. Detailed sheets allow you to discover these exceptional places and share them on social networks.
What is the «Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe» programme?
France has always supported this innovative Council of Europe programme, launched in 1987 by Catherine Lalumière, then Secretary General of the Council of Europe. The Camino de Santiago de Compostela were the first to receive this label.
This programme is led by the World Heritage Mission (Directorate-General for Heritage and Architecture at the Ministry of Culture). It aims to demonstrate that the heritage of different European countries and their culture contribute to the common cultural heritage, by offering trips in space and time, on different themes shared by several European countries.
These itineraries respond to the priorities of the French government’s policy in terms of heritage and cultural tourism: they offer pedestrian, cycling and equestrian routes through many European territories and countries; they make it possible to discover places of patrimonial, touristic and cultural interest very diversified according to the themes chosen: pilgrim paths, historical or literary characters, tangible and intangible heritage, arts in all forms, traditions, etc.
These routes make it possible to establish cooperation in many fields ranging from culture to heritage, through education or tourism and bring together different types of actors: professionals (SMEs), institutional, associations, They are a real asset for the cultural, social, ecological and economic development of all territories, even isolated ones, thanks to their networking.
These itineraries encourage new forms of tourism (meaningful tourism, smart, sustainable or responsible tourism, etc.) and also aim to better distribute visitor flows to avoid over-attendance at certain sites. They allow to (re)discover our tangible and intangible heritage, cultural and natural throughout the French territory and offer many equestrian, hiking, sports, heritage and cultural activities, to sensitize all audiences, especially the youngest.
What are the modalities of certification «Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe»?
The certification application must involve partners from at least 3 countries. A training academy is organized every year to support project leaders. Once certified, each route is assessed every 3 years. The "European Cultural Route" certification is a guarantee of excellence, the networks are implementing innovative activities and projects, covering 5 areas of action:
- Cooperation in research and development
- Promotion of the memory of the history of European heritage
- Educational and cultural exchanges for young Europeans
- Contemporary culture and artistic practice
- Tourism and sustainable development
What are the advantages of the «Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe» certification?
France was at the origin of this program, has always supported it and the World Heritage Mission – Directorate General of Heritage and Architecture at the Ministry of Culture – wishes to promote this program among the public, institutions and professionals.
An exhibition was organized at the Ministry of Culture in 2019, as part of the French Presidency of the Council of Europe, inaugurated by Catherine Lalumière, in the presence of many personalities. A meeting of all the routes that cross France was organized in 2021 to create a dynamic within the French network.
2022 was an important year for the enhancement of this program in France:
- the annual training academy, organized in Fontainebleau on the theme of “cultural tourism”, from 31 May to 3 June 2022, benefiting from the French Presidency of the European Union label;
- the publication of a bilingual publication on the Itineraries that cross France, searchable and downloadable below, in order to highlight the immense work carried out by the managers of these cultural routes and the heritage offer, tourism and culture in the territories they cross.
- the integration of Itineraries as part of the tourism transformation plan «Destination France» in order to be valued by the public, institutions and tourism professionals.
In 2023, an interactive map (at the top of this page) was designed to discover the cultural, natural and tourist heritage highlighted by these 31 itineraries on the French territory. Just click on each of the 31 thumbnails to access the detailed map of the route and discover the places to visit, the cultural or natural sites to see, the routes to take, the partners involved, etc.
Finally, events will soon be organized at the «crossroads», symbolic points where several cultural routes meet. In 2019, for example, the Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral was enhanced, a few months after the tragic fire, because it is located at the crossroads of 8 ICCE: the European Jewish Heritage Route, the European Cultural Route Saint-PaulMartin de Tours, the itinerary of the Cluniac sites, the Route Napoleon, the Route of the Impressionists, the Route of the Liberation in Europe, the Via Charlemagne and the European Route of Artagnan.
These itineraries are extraordinary tools allowing citizens, professionals, private partners and institutions to meet around shared European values and to discover our common heritage.
List of 31 routes that pass through France
1987 The Way of Santiago de Compostela
1993 The Road of the Vikings
1994 La Via Francigena
2003 The Road of the Phoenicians
2003 The Iron Road in the Pyrenees
2004 The European Jewish Heritage Route
2005 The Saint Martin route of Tours
2005 Cluniac Sites in Europe
2005 The Roads of the Olive Tree
2005 La Via Regia
2007 TRANSROMANICA - The Romanesque routes of European heritage
2009 Iter Vitis, the vineyard paths
2010 The European Cemetery Route
2010 The Paths of Prehistoric Rock Art
2010 The European Route of Historic Spa Towns
2012 The European Ceramics Route
2013 European Route of Megalithic Culture
2013 In the footsteps of the Huguenots and the Vaudois
2014 Art Nouveau Network
2014 Via Habsburg
2015 Destination Napoleon
2015 In the footsteps of Robert Louis Stevenson
2016 The Network of Fortified Cities of the Greater Region
2018 The Roads of Impressionism in Europe
2019 Destination Le Corbusier: architectural walks
2019 The road to liberation in Europe
2019 The European Industrial Heritage Route
2021 the European Route of Artagnan
2021 Route Alvar Alto: architecture and design of the 20th century
2022 Historic Café Route
2023 Transhumance Drailles
How to apply?
In accordance with Resolution (CM/Res(2013)67), the Cultural Routes and the candidate networks are evaluated to obtain the «Cultural Route of the Council of Europe» certification issued by the Governing Council, composed of representatives of each member state of the Council of Europe. The Cultural Routes are certified and then regularly evaluated, on the basis of compliance with criteria, including:
- involve a theme representative of European values and common to at least three European countries;
- be the subject of transnational and multidisciplinary scientific research;
- promote European memory, history and heritage and contribute to the interpretation of Europe’s current diversity;
- support cultural and educational exchanges for young people;
- develop exemplary and innovative projects in the field of cultural tourism and sustainable cultural development;
- develop tourism products and services for different groups…
Applications must be submitted by 31 July.
More information on the site: https://www.coe.int/fr/web/cultural-routes/home
Contact:
Mr. Bruno FAVEL, Head of the World Heritage Mission, Directorate General of Heritage and Architecture, Ministry of Culture: bruno.favel@culture.gouv.fr and Ms Orane PROISY, Head of European Heritage Projects and Networks, World Heritage Mission: orane.proisy@culture.gouv.fr
To download
