Title: Ecomuseums, tourism and the representation of rural France

Authors: Peter Davis

Addresses: International Centre for Cultural and Heritage Studies, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, 18 Windsor Terrace, NE1 7RU, UK

Abstract: This article refers to the development of tourism in France and the varied nature of the country|s rural landscapes. The origins and growth of the ecomuseum movement in France is briefly described. These museums, although initially designed to protect the material culture of French rural life and promote democratic involvement of local people with their heritage, are becoming increasingly geared towards promoting sustainable local development through low-level tourism. Although their representations of French rural life are somewhat problematical, ecomuseums do interpret the distinctiveness of particular cultural and semi-natural landscapes, giving visitors a more holistic |sense of place|.

Keywords: ecomuseums; France; rural life; sustainable development; cultural tourism; ecotourism; sustainability; rural areas; sustainability; rural development; local communities; sense of place.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTA.2011.040431

International Journal of Tourism Anthropology, 2011 Vol.1 No.2, pp.141 - 153

Published online: 31 Jan 2015 *

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