The Chaîne des Puys – Limagne Fault natural site has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2018.

1945 What is UNESCO ?

UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) was created by the United Nations in 1945 with the aim of achieving peace for all peoples.  

The organisation also works towards eliminating poverty, providing education for everyone, and intercultural dialogue.

1964 Saving the temples of Abu Simbel

Faced with the threat of flooding after the construction of a dam, UNESCO brought together 50 countries to dismantle the temples and then rebuild them at a safe distance from the water. 

1972 World heritage is born! 

A new concept developed: that certain sites exist whose Outstanding Universal Value transcends borders. 

Hence the World Heritage Convention was adopted in 1972. Its objective was to encourage the identification, protection and preservation of cultural and natural world heritage around the world.

2018 Global recognition   

The Chaîne des Puys-Limagne Fault is a natural site which was inscribed on the grounds of geological criterion VIII. Initiated by the Departmental Council of the Puy-de-Dôme, this international undertaking united the whole region towards having the Chaîne des Puys-Limagne Fault recognised as an eminent representative example of the major steps in the history of the Earth’s formation.

AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE FUTURE    

However, the inscription doesn’t mark the end of this adventure! It’s up to each of us to think of new ways to valorise and protect this exceptional site in order to pass it on to future generations.