Marquise quarry basin: 30 years of combining economic activity and landscape protection

Quarrying in Marquise

In the Marquise region, quarries have long been exploited for mineral resources, especially chalk and limestone. This centuries-old economic activity is deeply embedded in the area’s identity, but it has also had a significant impact on the surrounding landscapes. Quarrying generates large amounts of waste rock—materials that cannot be used—which are often stored on the surface and visibly alter the terrain. Over a span of 30 years, quarry activity in and around Marquise can produce up to 57 million cubic meters of waste rock, equivalent to 13 times the volume of Mont Saint-Michel.

A new approach in the 1990s

Until the 1990s, each quarry negotiated directly with the local municipality in which it was located. The main objective was often to store as much waste rock as possible while using the smallest surface area. In 1995, a new collaborative approach was introduced by the State, the Regional Natural Park, local authorities, and quarry operators: the Quarry Basin Landscape Plan.

Objectives and actions

The plan’s primary aim is to strike a balance between supporting local economic activity and protecting the landscape. It does so by coordinating the following elements across the entire quarry basin:

• Defining the maximum area to be exploited

• Pooling the production and disposal of waste rock among various operating companies, for the first time

• Revegetating waste rock storage areas using native plant species

• Preserving cultural and historical heritage sites, such as the ruins of the Château de Blacourt and the Abbey of Beaulieu

A new component: biodiversity

In 2014, the landscape plan was updated to address evolving environmental concerns. A new focus on biodiversity was added alongside landscape protection. The revegetated waste rock sites had begun to support unique ecosystems, including rare orchids. This led to the implementation of naturalist monitoring to track biodiversity in these areas.

30 years worth celebrating

In November 2024, the Marquise Quarry Basin Landscape Plan celebrated its 30th anniversary. Once unprecedented in France, this integrated approach has since been adopted in other regions and landscapes. The plan has largely succeeded in achieving its dual goal of promoting economic activity while preserving the environment and heritage. However, there is still work to be done—particularly in restoring former quarry sites that are no longer in use.

To mark the anniversary, a wide range of public events is being organized for spring 2025, offering residents and visitors the chance to discover the Marquise quarry basin and learn more about its environmental and cultural significance.