Contenu du sommaire : Le tourisme culturel

Urban cultural tourism has become more important as a result of initiatives taken by city councils, the entrepreneurial approach of tourist offices and a strengthening of local structures to welcome visitors. However at a national and international level the range of such tourist products is limited, the towns of Lyon and Vienne are not well-known, and they do not possess a distinctive image. Visitors are increasing at Lyon and are stable at Vienne, but overall their number remains limited.

The desire for culture and to discover new places have long motivated tourist activity, but they have become more important, giving rise to changes in tourist provision. Determining factors are now represented by the quality of the environment and the need for new cultural values. The countryside surrounding Lyon benefits from the advantage of an important potential source of local visitors and of people passing through the region. It also possesses varied tourist attractions, even if there are few examples of tourism of an exclusively cultural nature.

Natural environment and culture reflect two opposing realities, symbolised by national parks and cities. Using the example of the Ecrins National Park, it is possible to demonstrate that this antithesis is disappearing. Cultural tourism is destined to develop in areas aldready attractive due to their natural environment. The relationships between culture, natural environment and tourism may be illustrated by the study of the Champsaur sector which forms part of the Ecrins National Park. Following an inventory of the cultural facilities, tourist demand has been evaluated and the reaction of the local population and of the Park authorities hab also been studied : a form of human ecology may be defined, co-existing with and complementing the natural ecology

Clermont-Ferrand is well known as an industrial town (Michelin voorks) and looks like a black country. However, this services providing city (central place with the level of «métropole régionale») is surrounded by interesting touristical facilities (in Auvergne region). Besides, its own cultural heritage offers real means of touristical development. Infortunately, structural problems and an obsolete conception of cultural tourism are the reasons why those means are not yet exploited.

Combining culture with tourism is in fashion and prospective analyses confirm a growing social demand, for the culture, cum leisure, cum holiday concept. In most French regions, possibilities of that type, are not made the most of Gironde, wich is taken here as an example, enjoys significant assets thanks to its natural and cultural heritage. Taking into account the possibilities and the synergies existing in this part of the country, will allow us to measure the chances of success and the stakes of cultural tourism, for regional development.

The recession affecting tourism has demonstrated the need to improve the activity's present image. In the 19th century the first visitors had a favourable impression of the islands. Today those people interested in cultural tourism represent a minority group. However, such an activity offers the means to enlarge and diversify the island's tourist industry.