PNR: A Brief History

It all began 60 years ago…
The status of Regional Nature Park was established in 1967, under the presidency of General de Gaulle, and the very first regional park, Scarpe-Escaut in the Hauts-de-France region, was created a year later.

A Regional Nature Park is a “rural and inhabited” area whose residents have voluntarily chosen a development model based on the enhancement and protection of natural and cultural heritage considered to be rich and fragile. The initiative to create these parks comes from municipalities, intermunicipal communities, or departments, but it is the State that defines the general policy.

The role of Regional Nature Parks is divided into five missions:

- Economic and social development.

- Protection of natural, historical, and cultural heritage, as well as the landscape.

- Participation in detailed land-use planning, particularly by ensuring the coherence of urban development.

- Welcoming, informing, and educating the public about environmental and cultural issues.

- Testing new forms of public and collective action.

The measures for protecting flora and fauna, water and soil, forests, and landscapes that apply within the PNRs are those set forth in current regulations.

France currently has 60 such parks (including 2 in overseas territories). Of the total area of the PNRs, 40% consists of agricultural land (half of which is pasture), 37% is forest, and 1.9% is built-up areas.
 

12 Years Already

Established in 2014, the Gulf of Morbihan Regional Nature Park was the 50th regional nature park at the time. It boasts exceptional natural and cultural heritage resources (212 sites and buildings classified and listed as Historic Monuments).

Shellfish farming, fishing, and agriculture have always shaped this region. More recently, water sports and tourism have also had an impact, creating growing pressure on both land and sea. Not to mention population growth (+80% in 40 years).

These changes are destabilizing the region’s ecological balance and, in the long term, threaten the harmony of its development.

The Gulf of Morbihan Regional Nature Park (PNR) takes action through:

- Monitoring programs (species/habitats),

- Projects with local municipalities,

- Initiatives with industry professionals (shellfish farming, wetland management, coastal practices),

- Awareness-raising efforts targeting the general public and schoolchildren.

Key figures for the Gulf of Morbihan Regional Nature Park:

- 76,342 hectares

- A maritime area of interest covering approximately 17,000 hectares

- 508 kilometers of coastline

- 10,000 hectares of intertidal zone

- 35 municipalities, 4 intermunicipal associations, nearly 200,000 residents

A regional nature park does not have regulatory authority per se. However, by approving its charter, local governments commit to abiding by it. And when a facility or development within its territory requires an environmental impact study, the park must be consulted for its opinion.