CULTURAL PRESERVATION
UNLOCKING ENCHANTED PATHWAYS
LYON, FRANCE
Photo: Daniel Jolivet
Opting for destinations like Lyon, France, that protect cultural heritage ensures your visit contributes to the preservation of local traditions and benefits residents. This enriches your travel experience and safeguards historical treasures for future generations.
What's
changing
Preserving historic architecture can be a resource-intensive challenge. A growing number of cities are adopting creative solutions where local governments provide financial support to property owners who maintain historic buildings in return for granting public access.
What's already
possible
In Lyon, France, an agreement between the city and property owners enables public access to courtyards and “traboules” (hidden passageways and alleys) that run through the properties and connect streets. For providing public access, the owners are subsidized to preserve the character of these spaces.
Seizing
the opportunity
Since 1992, Lyon has supported the historic traboules as architectural features and transformed them into accessible and educational spaces that enhance urban culture for residents and visitors. Properties that use the program must provide access to their traboules at specific times each year.
Standout
tactic
To mitigate risks related to residents feeling like tourists are infringing on their privacy, tour companies must adhere to a visitor charter and signs near traboules direct visitors to be respectful as they explore the alleys and passages.
How
it helps
The program currently supports 80 of these passageways and pays 70% of associated costs, including cleaning and lighting. This initiative supports the conservation of architectural heritage while providing broader public access and fostering pride among residents.
Diving
deeper
Could the long-term sustainability of historic sites be at risk when their upkeep relies on public funds that could disappear with political change?
Increasing
impact
Balancing public access with residential tranquility in heritage sites presents global challenges. Programs, like Lyon's agreement, could strengthen partnerships with tour operators by using technology to regulate tourist flows and implementing penalties or incentives for compliance. These refined strategies could serve as sustainable models for urban heritage conservation in other cities facing similar issues.
Traveling
better
Travel is inherently carbon intensive. Whether you are taking a mini-break or an annual vacation, consider ways to minimize your impact by staying longer in one place, reconsidering how you travel to the destination, and supporting businesses that are working to make their community and the world a better place.
