- The President of the Republic declared himself in favor of the creation of a regional natural park of Ventoux.
- One way, hopes the project leaders, to counter tourist pressure on the area.
- The summit of Mont Ventoux registers one million visitors each year.
The project continues to climb the summits. After years of procedure, the President of the Republic Emmanuel Macron declared himself in favor of the creation of a regional natural park of Ventoux. Statements that validate a process initiated in the mid-1950s for one of the most famous sites in the Vaucluse in the world.
And if the project leaders are to be believed, the creation of a regional natural park was becoming urgent. This is particularly due to the tourist pressure exerted in the region, in particular on the summit of Mont Ventoux. "It is a very busy area," says Jacqueline Bouyace, regional councilor delegated to regional natural parks. And at the top of Ventoux, by dint of doing anything, we let hopes disappear. We let it happen. We were in Ventoux as we were in the middle of the countryside. There was no respect. After the Tour de France, we had to pick up all the dirt that people can leave on the ground. "
One million visitors to the summit of Ventoux
"The Ventoux must continue to be a tourist hotspot that benefits cyclists, but we must manage the circulation of tourists, the flow of tourism on the four sides of the Ventoux, where we have a huge impact on the environment today, abounds Ken Reyna, brand new director of the Mont Ventoux union. One million visitors are registered at the summit of Ventoux, which is also open six months a year, in the heart of an extremely attractive area given the proximity of the Rhône valley. "
And to detail: “With the regional natural park, visitors will not be at the top of Ventoux left to themselves. They will have to park the car in such a place, take such a path, with a team of eco-guards who will intervene this summer to preserve the site. "It won't stop people from throwing their bottles on the ground," admits Jacqueline Bouyac. But a regional natural park will encourage more respect. We are going to put young people who are going to meet tourists to tell them what they can do or not. "
The promoters of the project hope to further develop, thanks to the park, more environmentally friendly agriculture, in a rural area where many live off the land, and in particular vineyards. However, two small snags remain. The principle of a park was adopted by 35 municipalities out of the 39 initially… but which can reverse their decision once the municipal elections are over. It also remains for the Prime Minister to officially sign the decree creating the Park, after a favorable opinion from the National Council for the Protection of Nature. The latter will audition the proponents of the project on February 26.
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- Planet
- biodiversity
- Emmanuel Macron
- Tourism