Logotypes Historic Monument and Remarkable Heritage Site
Within the meaning of the Heritage Code, buildings and movable objects classified or inscribed are protected as historic monuments. With a view to enhancing heritage, it was felt necessary to create a logo identifying the presence of a building protected as a historical monument in the eyes of the general public.
The labyrinth of the cathedral of Reims inspired the graphic designers in charge of designing this logotypeThe logo evokes this labyrinth without its characters, with a 45° rotation and often dark red. The significance of this drawing, frequently reproduced on the pavement of the naves of the great churches of the Middle Ages, is not completely elucidated: the way to Jerusalem or, more simply, the signature of the masters of works in so far as, in Reims, as in Chartres and Amiens, the labyrinth contained in some of the compartments the figure of the architects who raised these cathedrals. The labyrinth of Reims has disappeared today, as a result of a decision of the clergy which, in the eighteenth century, had it destroyed because the children had fun during the services to follow the intersecting lines. His drawing came to us thanks to a sixteenth-century manuscript collection kept in the National Library.
This logo, officially presented in 1985 by the Ministry of Culture, is first reserved for listed historical monuments before being extended to listed monuments. On September 10, 1985, Jack Lang, Minister of Culture, held a press conference on historic monuments, during which he announced Open House on September 22 and inaugurated the first "historic monument" plaque. placed that day on the Royal Palace, as a prelude to a campaign designed to encourage all owners of protected monuments to put this plaque on their building in order to alert the passerby. In the years that followed, he made his official entrance on road and highway signs.
The logotype «historical monument» was modernised by the agency Rudi Baur in 2017. This new logo, deposited at the National Institute of Intellectual Property (INPI), takes up the logo designed in 1985 by modernizing it, notably by making appear a red border attached to the black lines defining the labyrinth.
This modernization of the logotype «historical monument» was carried out simultaneously with the creation of the “Remarkable Heritage Site” logo, again by the Rudi Baur agency. This logo, also filed by the Ministry of Culture with the INPI, aims to identify to the general public the existence of a remarkable heritage site, protection created by the law no. 2016-925 of 7 July 2016 on freedom of creation, architecture and heritage.
The logotypes “historic monument” and “remarkable heritage site” are intended to be widely disseminated on historic monuments and protected areas as a remarkable heritage site. under the conditions laid down in each of the customary regulations concerning them.
Use
The use of logotypes is governed by the following documents:
- The graphic charter ; Visual language for identification “Historic Monument” and “Remarkable Heritage Site”
- The Regulation of use of the mark Historical monument
- The Trademark Usage Regulations Remarkable Heritage Site
The redesign of the Historic Monument logo was an opportunity to create a unique and specific font, available in several fonts.