The Departmental Council submitted the application for the Global Geopark label on November 26, to UNESCO services. This December 3, in Celles, Kléber Mesquida, president of the Department, took advantage of the official launch of the candidacy to make announcements, in particular on the Maison du Grand Site Salagou-Mourèze project in Clermont-l'Hérault.
Quite a symbol. With the red lake in the background, a stone's throw from the future home of the Grand Site Salagou-Mourèze which will also be that of the Terres d'Hérault Geoparc, the banks of the Salagou were ideal for putting the Geopark into orbit. This Tuesday morning, Kléber Mesquida, president of the Department, was quick to lift the veil on the approach, initiated by the association Demain la Terre, and today extended with the resources of the institution. “The process has been launched, on the administrative level, since 2022. And, on November 26, we officially submitted the Global Geopark file to UNESCO.” After an in situ visit by UNESCO evaluators next spring, the verdict will be delivered in 2026. But, already, the Terres d'Hérault Label carries the values and the standard of this natural heritage of 'exception.
The “geotourism” advantage
Thus, the Geopark should become the cornerstone of geotourism which opens new perspectives to this sector, “first GDP of the department. But it is not only because we have sun and the sea. We have layered landscapes which are valued and attract more and more. Geotourism also allows us to spread out the season”apprécie Kléber Mesquida. “I think that this Geopark will allow us to move upmarket, interest other audiences and even transcend the summer months. This will make people talk about us in France, but also abroad”bets the sub-prefect of Lodève Éric Suzanne, rurality referent in the department.
SW – SW. Source Georpac.herault.fr photos ML
A legacy to preserve
“We have fantastic geology, it is part of our heritage. Thanks to this project we will be able to continue to protect it and create value”measures Myriam Gayraud, mayor of Cabrières. The Pays Cœur d’Hérault already includes “three Grands Sites de France labeled. But it is certain that the Unesco label will be a source of immense pride and added value that should not be underestimated”savors Jean-François Soto, president of Pays Cœur d’Hérault.
The headquarters at the Maison du Grand Site
“The departmental house will include the headquarters of the Grand Site Salagou Mourèze and that of the Geopark”announced Kléber Mesquida, president of the Department, this Tuesday morning in Celles. The building, which should be built on the banks of the lake, on the Clermont side, will therefore be double. “The idea is to be able to bring the two structures together so that we can have a common reception area,” summarizes Marie Passieux, president of the Salagou Mourèze joint union. “It will be a showcase with both a geological and historical interpretation, an interpretation of the Grand Site, a reception, a restaurant. This will allow us to establish the two components: the Grand Site operation and the Geopark, it is complementary and this will strengthen both approaches”analyzes the chosen one.
But we will have to wait a little longer before this House (at an estimated cost of €5 million) sees the light of day. Budgetary context requires, “the project will not be launched in 2025. We must remain hopeful. We have the building permit… but the budgetary time is not there. We are postponing it but it remains a structuring project”explains Kléber Mesquida. Furthermore, the mixed union should evolve into an EPA, a public administrative establishment of which the municipalities could be partners.
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