A presentation for a course entitled "Cultural Heritage in Contemporary Lithuania". I had to present some of the world heritage objects of the Hauts-de-France, the northernmost region of France.
2. Hauts-de-France
WHAT'S THIS REGION?
• 6 006 870 inhabitants
• 31 806 km2
• 5 departements: Aisne, Nord, Oise, Pas-de-Calais and Somme
• Strong unemployment rate
• Among the richest region of France
→linked to the density of population
• Lot of clichés (rain, cold, "ch'ti", french fries, beer…)
3. 3 Heritage Objects
BELFRIES OF
BELGIUM & FRANCE
23 towers (in France) showing
the wealth of merchants in the
past and the winning of civil
liberties
NORD-PAS DE CALAIS
MINING BASIN
How 2 centuries of coal
extraction shaped the
landscape
FORTIFICATIONS
OF VAUBAN
12 groups of fortified buildings
close to the borders in the
North and the East of France
4. FORTIFICATIONS
OF VAUBAN
12 groups of fortified
buildings close to the
borders, in the North and
the East of France.
It includes towns built
from scratch by Vauban,
citadels, urban bastion
walls and bastion towers,
mountain forts, sea forts…
5. Official Criteria of Inscription
CLASSIC BASTIONED
FORTIFICATION
Vauban’s work shows
the peak of classic
bastioned fortification,
typical of western
military architecture of
modern times.
HISTORY OF
FORTIFICATION
Vauban played a major
role in the history of
fortification. His work
was copied and used a
lot, which is showing the
universality of his work.
SIGNIFICANT
TO HISTORY
It can be applied to
military strategy,
architecture and
construction, civil
engineering, and economic
and social organisation.
6. For the Locals
Currently, people like to spend leisure time
in the fortifications like the citadel of Lille
(it's my city). Walking, running, play with
children, picnic, or even visit the zoo…
Importance of the defense:
thoses places are "strong".
7. BELFRIES OF
FRANCE
High towers in the
heart of urban areas
(clos to the main
square usually).
Belfries are essential
elements for the
organization and
representation of the
towns.
8. Official Criteria of Inscription
ARCHITECTURE IMPORTANCE
Exceptional examples of a form of
urban architecture adapted to the
political and spiritual requirements of
their age.
SIGNIFICANT TO HISTORY
It can be applied to military strategy,
architecture and construction, civil
engineering, and economic and social
organisation.
9. For the Locals
We hear them every hour. One of the two
belfries of Lille rings with "Le p'tit
quinquin", a famous song from the North
of France.
"Carillonneur" is the name for the job of
the person ringing a belfry.
You can recognize a city by its
belfried. And it's a good landmark (eg
for meeting point) as you can see it
more or less from any place.
10. THE MINING
BASSIN
It shaped the
landscape during 2
centuries, featuring
mining pits and lift
infrastructure, slag
heaps, coal transport
infrastructure, railway
stations, workers’
estates and mining
villages…
11. Official Criteria of Inscription
IDEAS / INFLUENCES
ON COAL INDUSTRY
Regarding extraction
methods, design of
worker housing and
urban planning, as well
as international human
migration…
URBAN PLANNING
IN THE REGION
Eminent exemple of
large-scale development
of coal mining (19th and
20th centuries), by large
industrial companies
and workforce.
INTERNATIONAL
REPERCUSSIONS
In social, technical and
cultural events associated
with the history of the
Mining Basin (danger of
mine-working and its
major disasters mainly).
12. For the Locals
The mining past of the region is still very
prevalent in a lot of families : many
people had relatives who died or were
wounded during this time.
Migration of workers explains a part of
the current demographic (eg lot of people
with a polish last name).
The landscape is still full of
testimonies from this recent past (the
last mine closed in the early 2000's),
we see them everyday.