1981 : Mende obtient le label « ville d’art » grâce aux démarches de la Société des Lettres, Sciences et Arts de la Lozère. Cette distinction qui n’impose aucune contrainte particulière devient obsolète et est remplacée en 1985 par le label « Ville d’art et d’histoire » plus prestigieux mais plus contraignant : cahier des charges avec le ministère, recrutement d’un animateur du patrimoine qualifié, de guides conférenciers agréés, création d’un Centre d’Interprétation de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine (CIAP)…. Les 70 villes titulaires du 1er label s’efforcent d’aller dans ce sens. La notion de « Pays d’art et d’histoire » apparait alors pour permettre d’élargir les périmètres.
A creation in several steps
1981: Mende got the label « Villes d’art » (city of art) thanks to the steps of the « Société des Lettres, Sciences et Art » (Letters, Sciences and Art Society) of Lozère. This distinction became outdated and was replaced by the label “Pays d’art et d’histoire”, more prestigious but more constraining: bill of specifications with the Ministry, employment of a qualified heritage animator and guide, creation of an information centre… The 70 towns which have the label “Villes d’art” tried to work within this context. The concept “Pays d’art et d’histoire” appeared to increase the covered area.
Mende chose the concept “Pays” (area whith several villages).
2001: a coherent area from an historical and geographical point of view was proposed: meetings with the elected members of the 22 concerned villages were organised to explain the importance of this communal project.
2003: a cabinet (“Culture and Territories”) was charged to prepare the candidate file.
June 2004: a delegation of local elected members and territorial representatives went to Paris to maintain this candidate file to the Ministry of Culture. The file was accepted in July by the Minister.
September 2004: the association “Pays d’art et d’histoire” was created. It include the 22 villages and the Regional Direction of Cultural Affairs.
December 2004: the convention was signed between French State and the association Villes et Pays d’art et d’histoire. The clauses stipulated that the Ministry of Culture have to finance the animation’s costs. The inhabitants of the 22 villages are giving 2€ per person for the subscription to the Pays d’art et d’histoire.
November 2005: employment of the activities leader, wandering on the area during 2 years.
September 2007 : Pays d’art et d’histoire opened a permanent office in Mende.
January 2010: the educational service found a room to welcome the groups.