Our Cross-Channel Geopark Supporters

Guide Nature Littoral

Supporter

Guide Nature Littoral is an association specialising in animation and awareness of nature, landscapes and biodiversity on the Pas-de-Calais coast. It offers educational outings and activities for different audiences, in particular children and families, in order to introduce them to the local fauna, flora and geological formations.

As a partner of the Geopark Transmanche, some of its members are geoambassadors and carry out guided tours in the field. They participate in training courses and provide mediation actions, allowing visitors to better understand and appreciate the geosites and landscapes of the coast.

Thanks to its guided tours and educational activities, Guide Nature Littoral raises public awareness of geodiversity and biodiversity, while promoting the natural and geological heritage of the Transmanche Geopark territory.

Château d’Hardelot

Supporter

The Château d’Hardelot, located on the Opal Coast, is a flagship site of the Transmanche Geopark. It symbolizes the entente cordiale between France and England, illustrating the history of cooperation and cultural exchanges between the two countries. Its neo-medieval architecture and landscaped park highlight the historical heritage while being part of the geological context of the Boulonnais.

In 2024, the castle hosted the Geopark festival, highlighting its central role in the promotion of the territory and scientific and cultural mediation. A geo-ambassador member provides guided tours of the site, allowing visitors to discover the link between historical heritage, landscapes and geological resources.

Its symbolic, historical and geological dimension makes it an emblematic place, representative of the cross-Channel identity and the enhancement of the landscapes and natural resources of the territory.

SAP – Société d'Animations et de Productions

Supporter

The SAP is an association created in 2015, whose objective is to develop ecotourism activities in the Pas-de-Calais. It offers activities to discover and raise awareness of nature, geology and local landscapes, in connection with the territory of the Transmanche Geopark.

The SAP is a partner of the Geopark and some of its members are geoambassadors, contributing to training and the dissemination of geological knowledge to the public.

Its activities make it possible to raise awareness among different audiences, including children and families, of biodiversity, geodiversity and the natural and cultural heritage of the region, while promoting environmentally friendly tourism.

Thanks to its fun and educational approach, the SAP fully participates in the enhancement and transmission of the landscapes and geological resources of the Transmanche Geopark.

Opale Sport Évasion

Supporter

Opale Sport Évasion is an association in the Pas-de-Calais region specialising in outdoor activities, with a particular focus on young people. Very present in the natural areas of Boulonnais and Calais, it offers orienteering, hiking or discovery of the landscape, allowing children to explore the territory while having fun.

As a partner of the Transmanche Geopark, the association has among its members geoambassadors involved in the Geopark’s training and actions.

Role and commitment
• Raising children’s awareness of nature, geodiversity and landscape reading through fun activities.
• Participation in the training of geoambassadors and contribution to the dissemination of knowledge in the territory.
• Enhancement of the local natural heritage through activities promoting environmentally friendly sports.

Thanks to this educational and active approach, Opale Sport Évasion contributes to bringing young people closer to the landscapes and values of the Transmanche Geopark.

Eden 62

Supporter and Geosite owner

EDEN 62, based in the Pas-de-Calais, is an organization dedicated to the preservation, management and enhancement of the natural spaces of the department. The association operates on the French part of the Transmanche Geopark, where it implements its expertise in ecology, management of natural sites and mediation with the public.

A major partner of the Transmanche Geopark, EDEN 62 has several geoambassadors among its members involved in the training and dynamics of the network. The association also manages many geosites in the Geopark, including the Guémy chapel, Mont Pelé, Mont Hulin, the Grand Site des Deux Caps and the Marais Audomarois, among others. It ensures their monitoring, protection, maintenance and accessibility for visitors.

EDEN 62 plays an important role in raising public awareness of the natural and geological heritage through activities, guided tours and educational actions. It also supports local authorities in the sustainable management of these areas and in the promotion of environmentally friendly tourism.

Through its expertise and commitment, EDEN 62 fully contributes to the objectives of the Transmanche Geopark, in connection with the conservation, transmission and enhancement of geosites.

Opaleolithic

Supporter

Opaléolithique is a partner of the Geopark Transmanche, specialising in archaeology and the study of the local prehistoric heritage on the Opal Coast and its surroundings. The association brings its expertise on the understanding of remains and geological formations related to prehistory, thus contributing to the scientific and educational component of the Geopark. It actively participates in the geological formations offered as part of the network of geoambassadors.

CEN Hauts-de-France

Supporter and Geosite owner

The Conservatoire d’espaces naturels Hauts-de-France (CEN HDF) is one of our main partners in the framework of the Transmanche Geopark. He supports the approach on its scientific component, by providing his expertise in geology, ecology and management of natural territories.

The CEN HDF manages several geosites in the Geopark, including several limestone hillsides and the fortress of Mimoyecques, contributing to their preservation, enhancement and public education on the natural and geological heritage. Present since the beginning of the project, the CEN HDF plays a central role in scientific coordination, awareness-raising and educational animation in the territory. Some of its members are also gemambassadors and actively participate in the geological formations offered by the Geopark.

Role and commitment:

• Management and preservation of geosites, respecting geodiversity and associated ecosystems.
• 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.
• Scientific monitoring and advice for the planning, rehabilitation and sustainable development of sites.

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.
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Gîtes de France

Supporter

Gîtes de France is a network and certification mark of homestay accommodation in France and Europe. The National Federation of Gîtes de France (FNGF) association was created in 1955 on the initiative of Senator Émile Aubert, with the aim of developing tourist accommodation at home and fighting against the desertification of the countryside.

Organization and functioning

The Gîtes de France are managed by department with a national federation. Each department labels and classifies its accommodation, offers marketing via a booking centre and knows the local area well. Each gîte receives a number of ears indicating its level of comfort and quality, from 1 to 5.

Labels

• Eco-lodges: accommodation with a low environmental impact.
• Gîte Panda: in partnership with the WWF, intended for gîtes located in natural and national parks, with ecological commitment and sustainable management (energy, water, waste, environmental education).

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