Outstanding Contemporary Architecture Label

The Outstanding Contemporary Architecture label was created by the Law of 7 July 2016 on Creative Freedom, Architecture and Heritage (CASL, Art. 78), and succeeds the Heritage label of XX^e century, created in 1999. It is allocated to buildings, architectural complexes, structures and improvements made less than 100 years ago, which are not protected by historic monuments and whose design is of architectural or technical interest.

The label Architecture contemporaine remarquable aims to highlight contemporary architecture, including the most recent creations, to raise awareness of its interest and to change the way different audiences look at this subject. It is also intended to promote the development and sometimes necessary rehabilitation of this architecture in compliance with the principles that make it up, through the establishment of a dialogue and scientific and technical support. Better knowledge and understanding of contemporary architectural creations must thus allow both their appropriation and their transmission.

Villejuif, "Les Flûtes" water tanks© Olivier Mathiotte, La Manufacture du Patrimoine – DRAC Île-de-France

Award and effects of the label

The label is awarded by decision of the regional prefect after opinion of the Regional Commission for Architecture and Heritage. It is framed by Decree no. 2017-433 of 28 March 2017, pursuant to Article L. 650-1 of the French Heritage Code. A procedure for labelling may be initiated by the State services or following a request from the owner of the property on which the application is based, or from any person having an interest in it (architect, successor to the architect, association, community...). For any request, the form CERFA 15853 [with hyperlink to the document] should be sent electronically or by post to the Regional Directorate for Cultural Affairs of Île-de-France.

The eligibility criteria are plural:

• the singularity of the work
• the innovative or experimental nature of architectural, urban, landscape or technical design
• the notoriety of the work
• exemplarity of the work in participation in public policy
• the manifest value of the work because of its membership in a recognized architectural movement or ideas
• belonging to a group or a work for which the author is the subject of national or local recognition

The award of the label allows a scientific and technical support to adapt to new uses the labeled works undergoing transformations so that the initial qualities of the good are preserved. It is also accompanied by communication tools (plaque affixed to the property labeled, use of the dedicated logo, mention in the communication documents distributed by the Ministry of Culture, especially on the occasion of the National Days of Architecture).

The label does not constitute a servitude of public utility. However, the owner of a labelled property must inform the services of the regional prefecture of his intention to carry out work likely to modify it, two months before the filing of a permit application or a preliminary declaration. The form CERFA 15863 is dedicated to this information. The owner of the labeled property is also responsible for informing the prefect of region in case of transfer of property

The label in Île-de-France

Île-de-France now has 223 labels. The Île-de-France Regional Directorate of Cultural Affairs began several thematic campaigns: a first in 2008 made it possible to distinguish 40 housing projects built between 1945 and 1975, A second project resulted in the certification of 75 religious buildings in 2011. Two publications present the results of these two stages.

Fine arts special A history of habitat, 1945-1975

Fine arts special The religious buildings of the XX^e century in Île-de-France

Saint-Germain-en-Laye, Shape village © DRAC Île-de-France

Saint-Cloud, Stella Matutina Church © Mario Pignata-Monti – DRAC Île-de-France

A third campaign, conducted in partnership with the Île-de-France region, has just ended with the selection of 40 remarkable high schools. The latter resulted in the publication in 2021 of a book, also designed with the Regional Council of Île-de-France : "The high schools of Île-de-France. When contemporary architecture meets pedagogy", edited by Marianne Mercier and Emmanuelle Philippe.

The high schools of Île-de-France. When contemporary architecture meets pedagogy. https://www.lieuxdits.fr/les-livres/les-lycees-dile-de-france/#description

Noisiel, lycée René Cassin © Laurent Kruszyk, Île-de-France region

Cergy, lycée Alfred Kastler © DRAC Île-de-France

From 2016, a vast study campaign dedicated to the metropolis of Greater Paris was undertaken. It aims to examine the history of relations between Paris and its periphery, through the prism of architecture and urban planning. Initially focused on the capital and its small crown, 43 new sites were labeled in 2019. In order to extend this reflection on the structuring of the Ile-de-France territory and the development policies conducted in the Grande Couronne, work was carried out to identify new cities. Treated first, Évry saw its territory endowed with 13 new labels. Work continued in Cergy, where 11 labels were decided in 2022. This still little explored subject was conducted in partnership with the École nationale supérieure d'architecture de Paris-Belleville. In addition, a working group is dedicated to the examination of requests for the labelling of buildings outside the thematic campaign, resulting in several individual labels per year. 

Bobigny, prefecture © Olivier Mathiotte, La Manufacture du Patrimoine – DRAC Île-de-France

Your contacts at the Regional Conservation of Historic Monuments

• Marianne Mercier: marianne.mercier@culture.gouv.fr
• Jérôme Bohl: jerome.bohl@culture.gouv.fr