The Inscription process
The Chaîne des Puys-Limagne Fault was inscribed on the World Heritage list in July 2018 during the 42nd World Heritage meeting in Bahrain.
This inscription process was launched in January 2007 by the Puy-de-Dôme Departmental Council , which drew on expertise from within the territory: the University for the scientific component, and the Auvergne Volcanoes Regional Natural Park for the management. The project was backed at the highest level by the State, and inspired widespread support within the territory including local authorities, companies and local service providers.
It continues in the line of more than 40 years work towards the conservation and enhancement of this exceptional natural site: the creation of the Auvergne Volcanoes Regional Natural Park in 1977, the designation of a classified site in 2000, and the Grand Site de France label for the Puy de Dôme in 2008.
Part of the inscription rests on a management plan for the site contracted with the Region and the State, for which a Business Foundation was created. The management plan is designed to conserve and make known the outstanding universal value of this emblematic geological landscape.
Far from being an end point, the inscription is an ongoing challenge and huge responsibility for the territory: to protect and pass on this exceptional heritage.
Key dates during the 11 years of the project :
2007
Launch of the project by Jean-Yves Gouttebel, President of the Puy-de-Dôme Departmental Council.
2007-2008
Preliminary studies on the project’s feasibility and the site’s qualities.
2009
Setting up of local partnerships to constitute and manage the bid: unanimous support by local authorities and the French State.
2010
Preparation of the nomination dossier for the French Tentative List and first hearing before the French World Heritage Committee (CBFPM).
2011
Completion of the full nomination dossier and preparation of the accompanying management plan.
November 2012
Second hearing with a favourable decision by the CBFPM: the dossier is selected as a French candidate.
January 2013
First submission of the dossier to UNESCO, followed by an 18 month evaluation period by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN: UNESCO’s advisory body for natural sites).
September 2013
Field visit by the IUCN and meetings with local stakeholders.
June 2014 – December 2017
Following major divergences between the IUCN and the scientific community, the World Heritage Committee examines the dossier twice, in June 2014 (at Doha) and in July 2016 (at Istanbul), and returns it for additional information. The Committee asks for more in-depth talks between the IUCN and France.
Based on these discussions a scientific site visit takes place in September 2015, resulting in a favourable report. Ongoing talks over this three year period help improve the dossier.
January 2018
France officially submits additional material, resulting from this intense technical investigation, to UNESCO.
July 2018
The 42nd World Heritage Committee, during its meeting at Bahrain, votes to inscribe the Chaîne des Puys-Limagne Fault on the World Heritage List.
