The principles of protected sites
If your project is on a protected site (under the Heritage Code or the Environment Code), there are several principles you need to know to understand the heritage and landscape issues and prepare your project as best as possible.
Understanding the different protected sites
There are 3 types of protected sites, depending on the applicable regulations:
The surroundings of the historical monuments correspond to a perimeter of protection delimited ("perimeter delimited of the surroundings") or, failing that, of 500 meters around the historical monument in order to allow its development in its close, landscaped or urban environment. This system is governed by the heritage code.
Buildings which form a coherent whole with a historic monument or which are likely to contribute to its conservation or development are therefore protected under the title of the surroundings.
If your project is on the outskirts of a historic monument, it must fit into the architecture, urban planning and landscape in a coherent way and take into account the historical monuments concerned.
They are "towns, villages or neighbourhoods whose conservation, restoration, rehabilitation or development is of historical, architectural, artistic or landscape interest." The protection of these remarkable heritage sites is governed by the heritage code.
A remarkable heritage site may have a management plan that includes a settlementwhich indicates how the work is to be performed to preserve and enhance this site. The town hall can provide you with this regulation, online or in paper version.
This management plan can take the form of a Protection and Development Plan (MVSP), which is an urban planning document, or an Architecture and Heritage Development Plan (PVAP), which creates a public utility easement.
Note: created in 2016, the remarkable heritage sites have replaced the previous protective devices: the "sectors safeguarded", the "areas of protection of the architectural, urban and landscape heritage (ZPPAUP)", and the "Architectural and Heritage Development Areas (AVAP)".
These are the "natural or built spaces of artistic, historical, scientific, legendary or picturesque character which need to be preserved, in their outstanding or exceptional character". The protection of classified and listed sites is governed by the Environmental Code.
This protection is attached to the conservation and enhancement of landscapes of general interest.
The principles to be respected
The principles to be followed to ensure that the work does not affect the conservation and development of protected sites vary from region to region, from village to village. There are no national rules on the colour of the shutters, the type of roofing and carpentry, but a local culture and historical principles linked to the evolution of techniques, materials and colours.
The departmental units of architecture and heritage (UDAP) and the councils of architecture, town planning and environment (CAUE) of certain departments have published advice sheets detailing local specificities.
In order to take into account the principles of the protected site in the context of your project, you can also exchange with the contacts in your territory.