While the Creuse seeks to attract more and more tourists, a history buff makes a proposal: and if we developed circuits centered on our medieval treasures? For twelve years, Alain Petit has created the center of medieval Limousin culture. A website on which it identifies the wealth present in Creuse and in the other two departments of Limousin : churches, castles, bridges, or even information on the songs of the troubadours.
On Facebook, it is followed by nearly 30,000 people. But he would like to go further. He tries to convince communities from Creuse, Corrèze and Haute-Vienne from develop a new tourist offer centered on medieval remains.
A heritage that is not well recognized
Alain Petit has given himself a mission: promote the medieval heritage of Creuse, Corrèze and Haute-Vienne. “Everyone knows their little church or a small Romanesque bridge next to their home, but this small heritage is minimized.“, summarizes this former sales engineer, who did not hesitate to resume his studies a few years ago, to devote himself to medieval history.
The heyday of Limousin was not porcelain in the 19th century. It is the middle ages.
To his eyes, the Creuse and the other departments of Limousin have an exceptional wealth compared to other regions: “In Brittany for example, there is hardly any Romanesque church. Whereas we have a lot of them. In Creuse alone, we can mention the church of Toulx-Sainte-Croix, Evaux, Le Moutier d’Ahun, Bénévent-l’Abbaye, the Souterraine abbey etc.“
The treasures of the Middle Ages in Limousin are not limited to old stones. Alain Petit, is also interested in the poetry of the troubadours who was born in Limousin, or in enamels produced in large quantities in our region at that time.
Develop cultural tourism to develop the local economy
“There is tourism potential around this heritage, assures Alain Petit, it could boost the economy: accommodation, catering, etc.“. For this history buff, the development of this tourist offer could go through different proposals.
This would include strengthen the links between the three departments to make joint offers of guided tours. “We could promote the collegiate church of Bénévent-l’Abbaye, for example, by offering a circuit through the five collegiate churches in Limousin.“, explains Alain Petit.
He also imagines visits of this kind through the castles of Limousin. He also proposes to develop “a European cultural route” sure the traces of the troubadours.
Alain Petit would also like have tourist offices collaborate with academics to update their knowledge of local buildings. This information could then be passed on to the general public.
Not easy to convince our elected officials
For years, Alain Petit has been in contact with the Nouvelle Aquitaine region, the departmental councils and the tourism committees of the three departments of Limousin, but communities remain cautious.
“Today, despite many steps, the doors remained closed“, he regrets on social networks. He explains for example not having never been solicited by the Creuse communities. On the other hand, he worked with certain heritage players in our department, such as the Lavaufranche commandery.
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