Historical monuments services in the regions
The Regional Directorates for Cultural Affairs (DRAC) under the authority of the regional prefects include among the departments responsible for historic monuments and sites protected for their heritage interest, the regional conservation of historic monuments (CRMH) and in the departments, the departmental units of architecture and heritage (UDAP) and the conservators of antiquities and objects of art (CAOA).
The DRAC implement measures for the protection, conservation and supervision of buildings and movable objects protected under the legislation on historic monuments. They also contribute to the public service mission of protecting, conserving and developing remarkable heritage sites, territories where political, economic, social and cultural issues are the strongest.
The Regional Conservation of Historic Monuments (CRMH) ensures the application of the regulations relating to historical monuments. It animates the protection policy (census, revision of the protections, programming of regional heritage and architecture commissions - RCAP) and coordinates the exercise of scientific and technical control. As such, it organises the monitoring of the health status of historical monuments and assesses work authorizations for classified buildings and movable objects, building permits for listed buildings and advance declarations for certain buildings and listed movable objects.
For State-owned historic monuments, particularly cathedrals, the MHRC schedules and commissions contracts for repair, maintenance or restoration work. It also ensures, on the basis of the state of health and the demands of the owners, the programming of state subsidies. It contributes to the development of historical monuments through research, publications and exhibitions.
Les departmental units of architecture and heritage (UDAP) are responsible for the conservation and development of approaches to historic monuments and of Notable Heritage Sites (RPS) and, in liaison with the Regional Directorate for Environment, Development and Housing (DREAL) of sites covered by the Environmental Code (listed sites and classified sites).
The UDAP also ensures the promotion of the creation and the architectural quality in connection with the local authorities for which it is a very identified interlocutor on the issues of heritage, architecture, urban planning, landscape and spatial planning. The UDAP contributes to the conservation of historical monuments in connection with the regional conservation of historical monuments (contribution to the sanitary state) and ensures the implementation of the protection of the properties inscribed in France on the list of the world heritage for accompanying management plans and projects that relate to these listed assets or their buffer zones, in connection with other RDCA or DAR services.
The architect of the Buildings of France is consulted on the files for the protection of buildings under the title of historical monuments and on the files of works concerning the buildings listed and classified within the framework of the scientific and technical control of the State. It shall draw up a notice on the occasion of the examination of applications for authorization to carry out work in remarkable heritage sites, in the vicinity of historic monuments and in classified or inscribed sites. In some cases, the architect of the Bâtiments de France is the custodian of the state-owned historic monuments and directs their conservation work (maintenance and repair).
Les curators and curators-delegates of antiques and works of art (CAOA) work, alongside the DRAC, for the identification, legal protection, conservation and enhancement of movable objects present in protected monuments or not (excluding museums of France). They present movable objects that can be protected before the Commission régionale de l'architecture et du patrimoine (CRPA). Through the periodic proofing of movable objects (observation of the presence and state of conservation), they contribute to their conservation (programming and monitoring of interventions and ensure documentation. They are key players in preventing theft.
Regional Cultural Affairs Directorates (DRAC)
Regional Conservation of Historic Monuments (CRMH)
Brittany
Guyana
Hauts-de-France
Martinique
New Caledonia
Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon