Loire Valley World Heritage management plan

On 15 November 2012, the prefect of the Centre Region – the coordinating prefect – approved the Loire Valley World Heritage management plan by decree. This followed its adoption, by deliberation, by a very large majority of the local authorities concerned (90% of the 197 local authorities concerned by the site's management).

A joint reference for shared management

Four sections make up the management plan:

• a Statement of Outstanding Universal Value (OUV), the basis for the World Heritage inscription
• an analysis of the threats and risks of impacts likely to alter this OUV
• a framework organised around 9 non-binding guidelines, common to all Loire Valley stakeholders, for land management grounded in shared responsibility
• an overview of the State's commitments

The 9 guidelines of the management plan for the attention of the French State and local authorities, as well as contractors leading major projects (bridges, cycle paths, prominent buildings) and managers of remarkable sites: 

1. Protect and enhance the heritage and remarkable spots
2. Keep the Valley's landscapes open and maintain the views over the Loire
3. Control urban sprawl
4. Organise urban development
5. Integrate new infrastructure successfully into the landscape
6. Promote the gateways into and the main tourist sites of the Loire Valley
7. Organise sustainable tourism practices that seek to preserve landscape quality
8. Foster assimilation of the listing's values by all stakeholders
9. Assist decision-makers with advice and constant guidance

The guidelines require all-round commitment and involvement. 

Mission Val de Loire acts as a coordinator for guidelines 8 and 9, and carries out cross-cutting action.