The Dordogne, a UNESCO biosphere reserve

On July 11th, 2012, the International Coordinating Council of UNESCO's "Man and Biosphere" programme integrated the Dordogne basin into the global network of Biosphere reserves.

The recognition offered by this global network highlights the exceptional territory crossed by the Dordogne, both by its preserved nature, its cultural heritage and its art of living marked by the imprint of the river.

Each biosphere reserve must fulfil three fundamental functions, which are both complementary and mutually reinforcing:

• a conservation function, to contribute to the conservation of landscapes, ecosystems, species and genetic variations
• a development function, to promote economic and human development that is sustainable from a socio-cultural and ecological point of view
• a logistical function, to provide support for research, monitoring, education and information exchange on local, national and global conservation and development issues.

UNESCO thus recognizes the Dordogne basin as an exemplary territory of major interest on a global scale. It also suggests a certain harmony between nature and the people who have exploited it, inhabited it, shaped it, dreamed of it... without damaging it irreparably.

For any further information, you can contact EPIDOR, the Dordogne basin's public territorial institution.