Six French Heritage Sites Win 2026 Grand Prix du Patrimoine et Tourisme Local
On July 6, 2026, the Fondation du Patrimoine, in collaboration with Airbnb, hosted the third Grand Prix du Patrimoine et Tourisme Local, recognizing six heritage sites in towns with populations under 20,000. The grand prize was awarded to the medieval fortress of Château-sur-Epte (Eure), which garnered 33% of the votes, earning €150,000 for its restoration. The Centre historique minier de Lewarde (Nord) secured second place with 14% of the votes and received €125,000. In third place, the Tonnay-Charente suspension bridge (Charente-Maritime) achieved 11% and was awarded €100,000. Additionally, three 'mobilization' winners, Château de Marsillargues (Hérault), Église Saint-Pierre de Collonges-la-Rouge (Corrèze), and Halle de La Mure (Isère), each received €25,000. Clément Eulry and Alexandre Giuglaris emphasized the significance of heritage in tourism.
Key facts
- Third edition of Grand Prix du Patrimoine et Tourisme Local held on July 6, 2026
- Organized by Fondation du Patrimoine and Airbnb
- Awards heritage sites in communes under 20,000 inhabitants
- Château-sur-Epte (Eure) won grand prize with 33% of vote and €150,000
- Fortress built late 11th century, restored since 2015 by Héritage Historique
- Centre historique minier de Lewarde (Nord) second with 14% and €125,000
- Lewarde is largest mining museum in France, UNESCO World Heritage site
- Pont de Tonnay-Charente (Charente-Maritime) third with 11% and €100,000
- Bridge inaugurated in 1842, one of Europe's first suspension bridges
- Three mobilization winners: Château de Marsillargues, Église Saint-Pierre de Collonges-la-Rouge, Halle de La Mure, each €25,000
- Clément Eulry (Airbnb France) and Alexandre Giuglaris (Fondation du Patrimoine) commented
Entities
Institutions
- Fondation du Patrimoine
- Airbnb
- Héritage Historique
- Centre historique minier de Lewarde
- UNESCO
- Région Hauts-de-France
- Connaissance des Arts
Locations
- Château-sur-Epte
- Eure
- France
- Lewarde
- Nord
- Tonnay-Charente
- Charente-Maritime
- Charente estuary
- Marsillargues
- Hérault
- Collonges-la-Rouge
- Corrèze
- La Mure
- Isère
- Europe