Cross-Channel Geopark Geosites owners Charter
Celebrating the Chalk and the Channel
The Cross-Channel Geopark is a unique partnership celebrating the remarkable chalk landscapes and the Channel connecting us across the UK and France.
Led by the Kent Downs National Landscape and the Parc Naturel Régional des Caps et Marais d’Opale, we’re working together to achieve UNESCO Global Geopark status — international recognition that will help us protect, promote, and better understand our shared geological, cultural, and natural heritage.
At the heart of the Geopark are Geosites — exceptional places that help bring the story of the Geopark to life. These sites have been chosen for their geological, educational, industrial, natural, or cultural importance.
From prehistoric monuments and medieval castles to dramatic coastlines and peaceful nature reserves, each Geosite plays a vital role in connecting people to the land beneath their feet.
The Geosites of the Cross Channel Geopark have been selected through consultation with the Geopark’s Scientific Committee as well our partner organisations and the public. If you are the owner/ manager of a site within the Geopark which you believe would make a good Geosite, please contact us to discuss its inclusion in future Geosite reviews.
Full profile details
National Monuments – Column of the Grande Armée
Geosite Owner
The Centre des Monuments Nationaux manages the Column of the Grande Armée, a monument erected in the nineteenth century to commemorate the Camp du Drap d’Or, and classified as a geosite of the Geopark Transmanche.
The Column illustrates the way in which history, architecture and geology intertwine: its construction uses stones from the Marquise Dock Basin, one of the major geological ensembles of the Geopark. This direct link with local resources makes it a witness to the regional know-how and the use of materials from the Boulognese subsoil.
By welcoming many visitors each year, the monument contributes to making this historical heritage known while highlighting the geology that has shaped the identity of the territory.
Museum of Ceramics
Supporter and Geosite owner
The Museum of Ceramics, located in Desvres in the Pas-de-Calais, is a geosite of the Transmanche Geopark. It presents the history and art of earthenware and pottery, from traditional techniques to contemporary creations. The museum highlights the close connection between local geological resources, especially clays, and the ceramic know-how that has shaped the industrial and cultural heritage of the region. Through its collections and exhibitions, the museum illustrates how geology directly influences human activities and contributes to the richness of the territory, thus strengthening the educational and enhancement mission of the Geopark.
Visit the website!
Stinkal
Business partner and Geosite owner
Stinkal – Official Partner of the Transmanche Geopark
Stinkal is a company specialising in the extraction of geological materials such as gravel, sand and clay, based in the Pas-de-Calais region. It is part of the Marquise quarry basin geosite, including the Parisienne quarry, which dates back to the Devonian period, one of the oldest areas of the Geopark. The company actively collaborates with the Geopark Transmanche as part of the landscape plan, integrating the principles of sustainability, enhancement and education in geological heritage.
Role and commitment:
- Responsible exploitation of local resources, respectful of the geosite and geodiversity.
- Participation in local dialogue and consultations with local authorities and the Geopark.
- Contribution to scientific promotion and mediation, through educational visits, exhibitions and public awareness.
- Commitment to the rehabilitation of sites and the reduction of environmental impacts (water, dust, noise, transport).
Stinkal is an example of how an extractive company can coexist with natural heritage, while supporting the Geopark’s sustainability and education goals.
Boulonnais Quarries
Geosite owner/manager and business partner
The Boulonnais Quarries, located in the Pas-de-Calais region, are the largest quarries in France. Exploited for centuries, they form part of
the Marquise Quarry Basin geosite, within the Channel Tunnel Geopark. The site is distinguished by its impressive size (approximately 2500
x 1500 meters) and a depth of 150 meters, with the bottom located 65 meters below sea level.
The quarry primarily extracts limestone, used for the production of aggregates for industry, construction, and public works. Extraction is
carried out in terraces, using blasting, transport by dump trucks, and crushing of aggregates of various sizes.
Role and commitment:
- Responsible exploitation of local resources, respectful of the geosite and geodiversity.
- Participation in local dialogue and consultations with the authorities and the Geopark.
Contribution to scientific promotion and mediation, through educational visits, exhibitions and awareness-raising activities. - Commitment to site rehabilitation and reduction of environmental impacts (water, dust, noise, transport).
Historic Heart of Boulogne-sur-Mer
Geosite owner and manager
The historic heart of Boulogne-sur-Mer, managed and promoted by VAH Boulogne, is an emblematic geosite of the Cross-Channel Geopark. The use of local stone in the construction of its buildings and monuments clearly demonstrates the close relationship between geology, architecture and urban history.
Among these landmarks, the Belfry of Boulogne-sur-Mer, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, perfectly illustrates how local geology has shaped the city’s built environment. This architectural heritage bears witness to the use of regional geological resources and reflects the cultural history of Boulogne-sur-Mer.
Working alongside the Cross-Channel Geopark, VAH Boulogne contributes to the promotion and interpretation of the site. Guided tours, interpretation trails and educational activities help visitors better understand the links between geology, building materials and the city’s identity.
The association also supports the preservation and restoration of built heritage by encouraging the use of local stone and promoting practices that respect the urban environment.
The historic heart of Boulogne-sur-Mer shows how an urban area can become a true geosite — a place of memory, learning and discovery — fully aligned with the sustainable development objectives of the Cross-Channel Geopark.
City of Calais
Geosite owner
The historic heart of Calais, managed and promoted by VAH Calais, is an emblematic geosite of the Transmanche Geopark thanks to the use of local stone in the construction of its buildings and monuments, including the Town Hall and the Belfry, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This architectural heritage illustrates the exploitation of regional geological resources and the cultural and urban history of the city.
Alongside the Transmanche Geopark, VAH Calais contributes to the promotion and interpretation of the site. Guided tours, interpretive trails, and educational activities help to better understand the link between local geology, construction, and the identity of the territory.
The association also contributes to the preservation and restoration of built heritage, by promoting the use of local stones and integrating practices that respect the urban environment.
The historic heart of Calais thus illustrates how an urban space can become a true geosite, offering a testimony of the past, an educational support and a place of discovery, in perfect connintony with thn antinable development objectives of the Geopark.
Carrière de la Vallée Heureuse
Geosite owner
Carrière de la Vallée Heureuse – Official Partner of the Cross-Channel Geopark
Located at the heart of the Geopark, Carrière de la Vallée Heureuse works a major deposit of Carboniferous limestone, formed in marine environments over 300 million years ago. The site is both an active quarry and an important geological observation site, contributing to the understanding and appreciation of local natural heritage.
As a committed partner of the Cross-Channel Geopark, the quarry is developing an approach that balances economic activity with environmental responsibility and public engagement. This partnership is reflected through educational and interpretation activities, the hosting of school and professional groups, and the sharing of scientific knowledge about the geological history of the site.
The company also implements practices aimed at reducing its environmental footprint, including responsible resource management, minimising disturbance, progressive restoration of worked areas, and careful landscape integration.
Through its subsidiary CVH Pierre Naturelle, the company extracts and processes two ornamental stone resources — Lunel marble and Marquise stone — helping to preserve traditional know-how and support the conservation of regional and national built heritage.
Carrière de la Vallée Heureuse demonstrates that an active quarry can also be a place for discovery, learning and the promotion of geological heritage, fully aligned with the sustainable development objectives of the Cross-Channel Geopark.
Join the Geopark Geosite owners and managers network
Join a growing network of remarkable places helping to tell the deep-time story of our shared chalk landscapes and the people who live and care for them. By becoming an official partner with the Cross-Channel Geopark, your site will benefit from recognition, resources, and connection — all while contributing to something much bigger.
Whether you manage a nature reserve, heritage site, visitor centre, or cultural venue, your role is vital in helping visitors understand and enjoy the landscape. We’ll support you every step of the way.
Benefits for Cross-Channel Geosites owners and managers include:
- Official recognition on the Geopark website, visitor map, and partner communications
- Free branded signage and tailored interpretation support, including geological expertise, storytelling advice, and co-branded panels
- Permission to use the official Cross-Channel Geopark logo, with supporting guidance for confident and consistent use
- A digital welcome pack, certificate, and branded materials
- Increased visibility through campaigns, social media, press activity, and public events
- Staff and volunteer training opportunities on geology, guiding, sustainability, accessibility, and visitor engagement
- Access to expert advice on sustainable tourism, environmental action, and aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Invitations to exclusive events and workshops for Cross-Channel Geopark partners across the UK and France
- Opportunities to take part in seasonal campaigns, the Cross-Channel Geopark Festival, and cross-border creative projects
- Support to develop and promote learning and engagement activities linked to geology, landscape, and culture
- A Cross-Channel network of like-minded site managers and partners, committed to nature, culture, and sustainable futures
- A voice in shaping the Geopark’s direction, with opportunities to contribute to the Action Plan and join the Advisory Board
- A shared story to tell — bringing your site to life as part of a bold, cross-border community
Join us in shaping a Cross-Channel Geopark that’s rooted in deep time, thriving in the present, and working for a better future — on both sides of the Channel.