With the support of the French Ministry of Culture, Greater Besançon Métropole is organising a crossroads of cultural itineraries. The programme of certified cultural routes was set up by the Council of Europe in 1987 with the Pilgrim's Way to Santiago de Compostela, and currently includes 48 certified routes.
The Via Francigena was certified in 1994 and celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. In France, the Fédération Française des itinéraires culturel (FFICE) was set up in 2010 and will be revamped in 2022, bringing together certified itineraries and non-certified routes that are in the process of applying to set up projects with the support of the Ministry of Culture to raise the profile of these routes in France.
In 2024, a number of routes were once again able to obtain a grant to organise events at "crossroads", strategic points where the routes can be visited.
crossroads", strategic points where several routes intersect, in order to promote the sites and partners, organise events for the general public and increase synergies.
The Via Francigena, which is a member of the FFICE, has received support from the World Heritage Mission to organise events as part of the 30th anniversary of its certification, in which 8 of the Council of Europe's cultural routes will be taking part.
The aim is to continue this work in favour of a structured and dynamic network at regional level, to raise awareness among local players and professionals, to encourage this dynamic between French and European players, and finally, to raise awareness among all citizens of our common European heritage and shared European values.
PROGRAMME :
9am welcome and registration in the Salle Courbet.
9.30am Introductory session
Welcome and presentation of the day by Mr François Bousso, Grand Besançon Métropole Presentation of the ICCE programme by Bruno Favel - Ministry of Culture Introduction of each itinerary by the representatives of the associations (2 minutes each)
10am Discussion on itinerancy and sustainable tourism
Moderator: François Bousso. 10 to 12 minutes for each speaker (Départements du Doubs - Communauté de communes des 4 Rivières - Commune de Montfaucon - FFRandonnée - Destination Le Corbusier)
12 noon Presentation of the Via Francigena actions by the AEVF - Martine Gautheron and Jacques Chevin
12:30 Lunch break at the Centre diocésain espace Grammont, 20 rue Megevand
2pm Round table on cultural itineraries
Moderator Eleonora Berti - Destination Le Corbusier, Via Francigena, Santiago de Compostela, Transromanica, the Cluniac Sites, Via Colombani, Terra Salina, Destination Napoleon.
4.30 pm Conclusion
5-7pm Guided tour of Besançon