In particular, the Park’s new decree sets the rules for authorising restoration, construction and other work in the Park’s central zone.
“Aesthetic rules” detail the architectural and landscape recommendations: which materials to use, the volumes and shapes to preserve or imitate; how to go about construction work, such as roads or agricultural or forestry tracks, or mobile phone antennae, etc.
This text is currently being rewritten, based on the book L’Art de bâtir (the Art of Building).
New buildings
New buildings in the central zone are only authorised for farmers and then only in certain cases. Authorisation is only granted either for professional buildings – stables, sheep barns, granges, etc. – or else for residential buildings where the farmer is unable to use any existing residential building, either because of a relationship breakdown or because he or she is newly arrived.
The National Park assists the central zone’s farmers – who number about a hundred – in defining their needs and in drawing up sketches of their professional or residential buildings. Industrial-type agricultural buildings have multiplied since agricultural modernisation strongly accelerated in the 1970s.
Strict architectural restrictions
A dual objective underlies the regulations concerning restoration of the architectural heritage: to ensure that restored buildings preserve their original appearance; and to preserve the character of the landscape.
One of the challenges of years ahead will be to continue preserving this remarkable built heritage while adapting it to the requirements of modern life: comfort and energy efficiency.