Laurent Fabius, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Delphine Batho, Minister of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy and Aurélie Filippetti, Minist...
France will propose to the UNESCO World Heritage Committee that will be held in 2014 to inscribe the Chauvet cave and the chain of Puys-faille de Limagne on the list of World Heritage, already strong of thirty-eight French properties.
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The Chauvet cave, presented as a cultural property, is a major site in the history of humanity. It houses a

set of over 1,000 drawings representing human and animal figures made 36,000 years ago. This

creation is not only the oldest in our history, but constitutes an aesthetic masterpiece where inventiveness

combines with a perfect technical mastery. The Chauvet cave provides both scientific research and

exceptional for the knowledge of men of this time and to art a jewel whose emotional power is also

strong today than at the time of its conception. A space of restitution of the cave located in Vallon-Pont-d'Arc (Ardèche),

seven kilometres from the original, the foundation stone of which was laid in October 2012 in the presence of the

Culture and Communication, will allow the public to discover the splendour of the cave.

The tectono-volcanic ensemble of the Puys – Limagne fault, presented as natural landscapes,

is an exceptional site for its beauty and authenticity. It allows us to understand the emergence of forms

and the structuring of continents. The scientific value of the site, recognized since the 18th century, makes it a place

founder in the emergence of modern volcanology and the history of science. Site whose purity and harmony of

lines were recognized as early as the 2nd century AD by the Romans, who elected him to establish the largest sanctuary there.

mountain range of ancient Gaul, the Puys chain is naturally enhanced by the Limagne fault. These

volcanoes of various shapes, exceptionally dense, have become a reference for the visual perception of a

chain of volcanoes.

Unanimously recognized last October by the National Committee of French World Heritage Properties, the cave

Chauvet et la chaîne des Puys – faille de Limagne are the two best candidates to bring to forty the

total of French properties recognized as World Heritage in 2014.

Two other excellent French records, the climates of the Burgundy vineyard and the hillsides, houses and cellars of

Champagne, have generated strong support in the territories concerned, thanks to the mobilization of project teams, and

have assets that must allow them to access the inscription on the list of the heritage of humanity.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy and the Minister of Culture and Communication warmly congratulate the teams who, for years, have carried out these four files with exceptional competence and commitment and hope that their mobilization in the service of the international influence of the culture and landscapes of our country will be successful.