Historic quarters

Visiting a historic quarter is an incredible journey through the centuries to discover what we have inherited from previous generations. The historic quarters of towns and cities reveal the rich architectural and cultural heritage from the past and bring it back to life. Historic quarters reveal the atmosphere and the soul of a place; streets become places of culture.

Historic quarters reflect the knowledge and know-how of previous generations who have built and lived in these quarters. They play an important role in understanding the city’s organisation and life.

Some of these quarters are designated ‘conservation areas’; they are of special architectural and historic interest and need to be preserved or enhanced. This measure contained in the Malraux Act (4 August 1962) has ensured against the demolition of historic quarters, safeguarding against urban planning policies which favoured destroying old derelict structures to replace them with insignificant new buildings.

Each region has a wealth of cities, towns and villages with unique historic quarters both culturally and architecturally. It is this heritage that Bontourism® would like to share with you as you walk around these streets and discover the stories they tell.