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Friday November 3 was a historic day for the Communauté de Communes Alpes Provence Verdon (CCAPV), which was awarded the “Pays d’Art et d’Histoire” label. This distinction recognizes the community’s commitment to promoting and preserving its rich architectural and cultural heritage.
The CCAPV thus becomes the first tourist destination in the three Alpine departments to be awarded this coveted label, highlighting its 41 exceptional villages.
The “Ville et Pays d’Art et d’Histoire” label is more than just recognition; it’s a commitment to architecture, heritage and the living environment.
The Verdon region is distinguished by its many heritage assets:
Located in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department, the territory of the Communauté de Communes Alpes Provence Verdon covers an area of 1,716 km2, with a permanent population of around 11,700.
Representing ¼ of its surface area and only 7% of its population, it is organized around four valleys: the Verdon from its source to the Grand Canyon, the Asse, the Vaïre and the Var.
Composed of 41 communes, with the main town centers being :
It is crossed by the RN 202 and the RD 4085, also known as the Route Napoléon and is also served by the Chemins de Fer de Provence line and its famous Train des Pignes which links Digne-les-Bains to Nice.
It’s a rural area that offers its inhabitants and visitors alike an incomparable quality of life.
No fewer than 3 protected natural areas boast exceptional landscapes:
Its economy is mainly based on tourism, agriculture, small businesses and services .
The “Ville et Pays d’art et d’histoire” label is awarded by the French Ministry of Culture to areas actively promoting their architectural and cultural heritage.
Created in 1985, this label encourages municipalities or groups of municipalities to make residents and visitors aware of the importance of their historic and architectural environment. It is awarded after a rigorous evaluation process, based on the communities’ commitment to integrating culture and heritage in their local development, the relevance of their historical and geographical perimeter, and their ability to preserve and promote enhance their heritage.
A ten-year agreement is signed between the State and the local authority, stipulating the commitments of each party, including the creation of a Center for the Interpretation of Architecture and Heritage (CIAP) and the recruitment of a heritage coordinator.
The benefits of the label include increased visibility through the Ministry’s communication media, use of the label logo, and support for the production of promotional material.
