A new exhibition to promote heritage

In October, the Regional Natural Park opened a new exhibition highlighting the industrial and artisanal heritage of its territory.

In the beginning was a study

Between 2017 and 2021, a study of industrial and artisanal heritage linked to natural resources was carried out as part of a partnership between the Périgord-Limousin Regional Natural Park and the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region, Heritage and Inventory department.

600 sites were documented and visited in order to check their current state; if more than half of them are in ruins or disappeared, or even only indicated by a toponym on a map, almost the other half is in a fairly good state of conservation, and for some, well maintained and still in use. 130 sites selected for their historical interest and their state of conservation have made thesubject of in-depth study to determine the periods of construction and activity. In addition to public archives, private archives (family or business) have constituted valuable sources.

Following this work, and still in partnership with the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region, the study was published in the regional collection “Visages du patrimoine”, available from Editions du Festin: “PNR Périgord-Limousin: Industrial and artisanal heritage”. Around thirty sites, the vast majority of which are open to the public, are included in this work.

A heritage to discover in photos and models

To continue to promote this long-term work, the Park has chosen to create a photography exhibition of these artisanal sites. Designed to travel around the territory, it is available in 14 panels which present a synthesis of the major typologies of industrial heritage in Périgord-Limousin: mills, forges, tile factories, sawmills, quarries and factories.

Philippe UG, renowned artist and paper engineer, was selected to accompany these kakemonos with 6 models he created himself. Creator of pop-up books in silkscreen printing, Philippe Ug is the author of more than thirty titles since the 2000s. For the exhibition, he created pop-up models based on photographic sources selected to represent the historical artisanal activity of the Park. His foldable models will also be beautiful educational tools to discuss these themes among a younger audience.

Inauguration of the exhibition in Limoges

The exhibition was presented for the first time during the Study Days of the Regional Heritage and Inventory Service. The theme chosen for the 2025 edition of this event was "Art in the Factory", with the objective of comparing historical and heritage approaches with those of contemporary creation as well as artist residencies in companies in the regional territory. It was therefore entirely appropriate that the Park's exhibition, produced with the financial and scientific support of the Heritage and Inventory Service, could be included in the program. Presented at the Limoges Regional Hotel, it was able to gather the impressions of the participants in the study days, and won unanimous approval for the beauty of its models in particular!

Following this inauguration in Limoges, the exhibition will be toured throughout the Park. Municipalities, communities of municipalities, or local organizations wishing to host the exhibition are invited to contact the Park at the following address: info@pnrpl.com