The making and unmaking of heritage

A little-known fact: French legislation protecting historic monuments since the nineteenth century has also allowed for the delisting of properties that no longer possess sufficient “interest to warrant their preservation.” While some buildings have disappeared (due to destruction during the war or fire), this study will examine the intrinsic and extrinsic factors driving these procedures—which have significantly increased since 1990, particularly in city centers—and develop a reflection on the evolution of heritage and protection policies. The role of institutions, local elected representatives, heritage experts, and every link in the chain is fundamental to a careful examination of the consequences of delisting a historic monument, and to considering potential compensatory measures.