Accueil > Actualités > On June 26, 2025, the World Heritage Mission Association held the fourth edition of its Property Committee meeting in Montségur, a key annual event bringing together all its members, institutional partners, and local stakeholders.
A key moment to review the candidacy and ongoing projects
Within the exceptional setting of Montségur Castle, perched on its rocky spur, this day provided an update on the progress of the World Heritage candidacy, presented ongoing projects, and outlined prospects for the coming year.
After a welcoming coffee reception, the morning began with speeches by Nicolas Digoudé, Mayor of Montségur, and Hélène Sandragné, President of the Aude Department. Their remarks highlighted the importance of the candidacy project for the region’s promotion and the strong collective mobilization it generates.
Moderated by Anaïs Monrozier, project manager at AMPM, two round tables then structured the morning. The first, dedicated to the World Heritage candidacy, brought together Philippe Mercier (DRAC Occitanie), Hervé Baro (Deputy President of AMPM), and David Maso (project officer at AMPM). It provided an update on the submission of the application file and looked ahead to the ICOMOS evaluation scheduled for September 2025.
The second round table focused on the Montségur Grand Site de France project. The discussion was opened by Marc Sanchez, President of the Communauté de communes du Pays d’Olmes, and provided an opportunity for Marine Le Breton and Benoît Combes (Communauté de communes du Pays d’Olmes) to present the main directions of the territorial project, ongoing actions, and the labeling schedule.
AMPM’s annual General Assembly concluded the morning. This time was dedicated to reviewing a year of actions for the management and enhancement of the serial property, and to adopting orientations for the coming year.
The day then gave way to a convivial lunch, featuring local producers and offering an informal exchange among participants.
Exploring the Montségur site: combining history, conservation, and landscape
The afternoon continued with a guided tour of the Montségur site, designed as a progressive discovery. During the ascent to the castle, various speakers took turns addressing the main themes of the site:
- Landscape interpretation and biodiversity: with Laurent Servière (RNR Saint-Barthélémy) and Agnès Legendre (CAUE 09);
- Conservation and enhancement project for the castle and the castrum: presented by Simon Petot-Bottin (heritage architect) and Samuel Rabiller (DPLG landscape architect);
- History and architecture: upon arrival at the castle, with Fabrice Chambon (Montségur municipality) and David Maso (AMPM).
An annual meeting of AMPM, this day was marked by rich discussions around the major challenges of managing, enhancing, and transmitting the serial property.
