Historical monuments

Protection under historic monuments is not a label but a public utility easement based on the heritage interest of a property, which is assessed by examining a set of historical, artistic, scientific and technical criteria. The notions of rarity, exemplarity, authenticity and integrity of properties are taken into account. Based on these criteria, the Regional Heritage and Architecture Commissions (RCAP) and the National Heritage and Architecture Commission (CNPA) provide advice on applications for protection.

Buildings or parts of buildings, whether built or not (buildings, caves, gardens, parks, archaeological remains and lands containing such remains) and movable objects are likely to be protected (classification or inscription) (furniture by nature or buildings by destination, such as organs). The «traditional» heritage (churches and castles for buildings, religious works of art for movable objects) remain largely in the majority of all historical monuments, and continue to form the majority of protected assets each year. 
However, there has been a significant change in the categories of protected property since the 1970s: gardens, buildings and movable objects of the 19th century^e and XX^e centuries, industrial, scientific and technical heritage (factories, buildings and railway works of art, boats, trains, aircraft or automobiles, scientific collections) now occupy a significant place, although still a minority, among classified and registered properties.

Since the creation in 1837 of the Commission des monuments historiques, more than 
44,000 buildings and nearly 300,000 movable objects, including more than 1,400 organs, have been protected by classification or inscription. The protection procedures and criteria currently in force aim in particular to complete, by typology, the park of buildings and furniture protected.

Each year, about 300 protective measures (registration or classification) of buildings are taken; a significant part of these measures do not represent new protections, but revisions of old protections (additional protection or classification of elements already registered). The number of furniture protection measures taken each year is about 1,500.

Outstanding Heritage Sites

In order to clearly identify heritage issues in the same territory, Remarkable Heritage Sites (SPR) are covered by management plans – Conservation and Development Plan (PSMV) or Architecture and Heritage Development Plan (PVAP) – whose development involves State services and local authorities. In addition, the appropriation of heritage issues related to a territory by citizens is essential: mediation tools are thus implemented to raise awareness among residents and visitors.

The classification procedure for Outstanding Heritage Sites involves a partnership between the State and local authorities. On proposal or agreement of the commune or the intercommunality, the remarkable heritage site is classified by decision of the Minister for Culture after notice of the National Heritage and Architecture Commission, guarantor of the public interest and the unity of heritage protection in our territory. The commitment of local authorities and the State is thus guaranteed from the classification of the remarkable heritage site.

In practice, the local authority, in connection with the regional service of the Ministry of Culture in charge of heritage and architecture, develops a preliminary study defining the perimeter of the remarkable heritage site and the heritage and urban issues. 
This preliminary study is submitted to the Commission nationale du patrimoine et de l'architecture, which must express its views on the relevance of the classification as remarkable heritage sites and recommend, if necessary, the most appropriate management document.

This classification entails the obligation for the local authority to draw up at least a plan for the development of architecture and heritage, or a plan for the safeguarding and development of all or part of the remarkable heritage site, to establish a local commission of the remarkable heritage site and to develop tools for mediation and citizen participation.

The expertise of the architect of Les Bâtiments de France is required for all works located within the perimeter of a remarkable heritage site. The Minister is responsible for ensuring that the work does not undermine the conservation or enhancement of the remarkable heritage site. As such, he remains at the disposal of project leaders prior to filing a work authorization to advise them.