At the Centre d'Interprétation de l'Architecture et du Patrimoine (Architecture and Heritage Interpretation Centre), come and discover a permanent exhibition at the Pôle XXe, freely accessible, on the architecture and heritage of our region.
What is a Centre d'Interprétation de l'Architecture et du Patrimoine (CIAP - Architecture and Heritage Interpretation Centre)?
CIAPs are a key asset in the national network of Villes et Pays d'Art et d'Histoire. Their purpose is to provide visitors with keys to understanding the area, but they are also a local facility aimed at the local population (young people in particular), enabling everyone to reappropriate their heritage.
Why a 20th-century CIAP in Savines-le-Lac?
The Pays d'Art et d'Histoire "montagnes de lumières" (mountains of light) stands out for its wealth of 20th-century heritage. In the Pays S.U.D, nine buildings or groups of buildings with the label cover the entire geographical area and present a wide range of typologies: villas built by the Barcelonnette family, emigrant builders returning from Mexico (migration heritage), Maginot works (military heritage), Serre-Ponçon works and ski resorts (industrial heritage), the village of Savines-le-Lac (new village), etc.
This coherent ensemble highlights a specific feature of the area, which is characterised by the major development works carried out in the mountains and the great migratory flows of these Alpine people on the move, pioneers and inventors, "all entrepreneurs of their own fortune" (Pascalis, 1689).
Savines-le-Lac is one of the rare examples in France of a new village that has been fully recognised as a 20th-century heritage site.
At Savines-le-Lac, the CIAP recounts the tremendous adventure of the 20th century: white coal, the arrival of the tractor, the development of tourism, holiday camps and solar-powered houses are just some of the themes covered in the permanent exhibition.
A shop area plunges you into the joyous modernity of the 1960s, where you can find exclusive design objects emblematic of the era. The Pays d'Art et d'Histoire is offering a special "CIAP XXe" programme of events, and invites you to take part in a number of on-site and off-site events in the Pays S.U.D..
Audio-guides in French, English and Italian.
Guided tours and group bookings are available on request.
CIAPs are a key asset in the national network of Villes et Pays d'Art et d'Histoire. Their purpose is to provide visitors with keys to understanding the area, but they are also a local facility aimed at the local population (young people in particular), enabling everyone to reappropriate their heritage.
Why a 20th-century CIAP in Savines-le-Lac?
The Pays d'Art et d'Histoire "montagnes de lumières" (mountains of light) stands out for its wealth of 20th-century heritage. In the Pays S.U.D, nine buildings or groups of buildings with the label cover the entire geographical area and present a wide range of typologies: villas built by the Barcelonnette family, emigrant builders returning from Mexico (migration heritage), Maginot works (military heritage), Serre-Ponçon works and ski resorts (industrial heritage), the village of Savines-le-Lac (new village), etc.
This coherent ensemble highlights a specific feature of the area, which is characterised by the major development works carried out in the mountains and the great migratory flows of these Alpine people on the move, pioneers and inventors, "all entrepreneurs of their own fortune" (Pascalis, 1689).
Savines-le-Lac is one of the rare examples in France of a new village that has been fully recognised as a 20th-century heritage site.
At Savines-le-Lac, the CIAP recounts the tremendous adventure of the 20th century: white coal, the arrival of the tractor, the development of tourism, holiday camps and solar-powered houses are just some of the themes covered in the permanent exhibition.
A shop area plunges you into the joyous modernity of the 1960s, where you can find exclusive design objects emblematic of the era. The Pays d'Art et d'Histoire is offering a special "CIAP XXe" programme of events, and invites you to take part in a number of on-site and off-site events in the Pays S.U.D..
Audio-guides in French, English and Italian.
Guided tours and group bookings are available on request.
Openings
Openings
From 1 January 2025 until 30 June 2025 - Open on tuesday, on wednesday, on thursday, on saturday
From 1 July 2025 until 31 August 2025 - Closed on sunday
From 1 September 2025 until 31 December 2025 - Open on tuesday, on wednesday, on thursday, on saturday
Location
Location
Contact Centre d'Interprétation de l'Architecture et du Patrimoine - Pôle XXème
Spoken languages
Spoken languages
