Regional Economic Initiatives Strengthened by Collaborative Efforts in France
France enhances regional economic growth through collaborative initiatives in agriculture and tourism.
Key Points
- • Massif des Bauges Park hosts summer universities for regional natural parks.
- • Cercle Économique Lorrain promotes economic successes in the Meuse region.
- • 'Destination parcs' platform launched to support agritourism.
- • Agriculture linked to 200,000 jobs in PNRs across France.
Recent initiatives showcase France’s commitment to enhancing regional economic ecosystems, focusing on agriculture and tourism. On July 3-4, 2025, the Massif des Bauges Park held the summer universities for France’s 59 regional natural parks (PNRs), which account for 16% of the national territory with nearly 4,700 communes involved. This event emphasized the intersection of ecology and economy, highlighting how locally sourced agriculture can boost tourism.
The Massif des Bauges Park, celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, supports 650 agricultural sites and promotes notable tourist brands like Annecy Mountain and Aix-les-Bains Riviera des Alpes. Philippe Gamen, the park’s president, emphasized the importance of local farmers in the park's establishment during economically challenging times. The agricultural sector linked to PNRs employs about 200,000 people across the country, with 16% of the region’s farms certified organic. Additionally, 95% of these communities benefit from quality labels such as AOP, AOC, or IGP, fostering a diverse agricultural market that caters to both local needs and tourism.
This gathering was also timely as the national federation of PNRs launched 'Destination parcs', a digital platform aimed at enhancing agritourism. The platform aims to streamline visitor experiences in these natural parks, further integrating tourism with agricultural heritage.
Simultaneously, in the Sud meusien area of the former Lorraine region, the Cercle Économique Lorrain (CEL) convened its annual meeting to highlight economic successes and future projects in Meuse. The CEL aims to bolster the region’s economic profile, offering Lorrains expatriated in Paris a platform to exchange insights on the Sud meusien’s possibilities and achievements.
These initiatives underscore a broader trend in France where local economic development is increasingly tied to collaborative platforms and the promotion of unique regional strengths, particularly in agriculture and tourism. With projects like 'Destination parcs' and the support from organizations like the CEL, there is a clear focus on fostering sustainable economic growth within regional contexts that leverage local resources and community engagement.