Parisian know-how and monuments worthy of Unesco listing

Just as the skills of Parisian roofers have been recognized by Unesco, we take a look at the skills, traditions and places in Paris that also deserve to be included in Unesco's heritage list (tangible and intangible).

As a State Party to the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, France can submit nominations to Unesco for the inclusion of some of its elements on the ICH lists of humanity. Indeed, "only countries that have signed the World Heritage Convention and thereby committed themselves to protecting their natural and cultural heritage may submit nominations of properties located on their territory for inclusion on the World Heritage List."

In 2024, the skills of Parisian roofers and zinc roofers (responsible for the emblematic roofs of the City of Light) were classified as intangible heritage, as was fairground culture. In the past, other typically French and even Parisian traditions have been classified as intangible cultural heritage by Unesco.

We're thinking, for example, of craft skills and the culture of the baguette de pain (in 2022), perfume-related know-how in the Pays de Grasse (in 2018) or the gastronomic meal of the French (in 2010). These candidacies illustrate France's commitment to promoting its unique traditions and know-how.

Alongside these skills, Paris is also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its many emblematic monuments. But what know-how could be next to be inscribed on Unesco's intangible cultural heritage list? And which monuments could be inscribed on Unesco 's (tangible) World Heritage List?

We take a look at some of the most deserving: traditions that embody unique aspects of Parisian culture that deserve to be preserved and recognized, but also places that, for the moment, have slipped through the cracks of Unesco's net.

Traditions and skills that deserve to be classified as intangible heritage by Unesco:

Haute couture and fashion expertise. Paris is world-renowned as the capital of fashion, and houses such as Chanel, Dior and Saint-Laurent embody unique craftsmanship. The idea of registering haute couture and fashion-related crafts (embroidery, featherwork, goldsmithing) as world heritage sites has been raised as a way of preserving these practices in the face of globalization.

Luxury jewelry and watchmaking. Paris is home to internationally renowned jewelry and watchmaking workshops(Place Vendôme), where ancestral techniques are still used to design unique pieces.

The expertise of leather craftsmen. Paris is a world center for fashion and leather goods, with prestigious houses perpetuating exceptional craftsmanship in the manufacture of leather bags and accessories.

French gastronomy. While traditional French baguettes were registered in 2022, other traditions linked to Parisian gastronomy remain to be promoted, such as the art of service in Parisian brasseries, fine patisserie and bistro cuisine.

The art of Parisian cafés and terraces. Parisian cafés and bistros are emblematic of the city's cultural and social life. These places, where artists, intellectuals and citizens meet, are unique spaces for conviviality and exchange.

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Wine culture. Although French gastronomy in general has been registered with Unesco, certain culinary practices specific to Paris, such as wine production, have not.

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Dance and cabarets. Institutions such as the Moulin Rouge, the Lido (closed in 2022, but with a rich history) and the Crazy Horse embody the art of dance, costume and scenography.

Parisian theater and opera. The theatrical and musical traditions of iconic venues such as the Comédie-Française, the Opéra Garnier and independent opera houses have a rich heritage.

Places and monuments worthy of Unesco World Heritage listing:

Paris's covered passageways. These covered shopping arcades, built in the 19th century, are emblematic architectural features of historic Paris.

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The historic gardens of Paris. Although Paris already boasts several listed gardens (such as those at Versailles and Luxembourg), some of the city's historic gardens, such as the Jardin des Plantes, the Palais Royal gardens and the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, have yet to be listed. Typical of the classical era, these gardens symbolize the art of the French garden.

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The Paris canal system. Paris boasts a network of historic canals, some of which were designed in the 19th century. While these canals are not as famous as those in Venice or Amsterdam, they nevertheless played an essential role in the city's water supply and industrial development. Some argue for their inclusion on the Unesco list, as they are still partly in use and form an integral part of the urban landscape.

The great Haussmann boulevards. The Haussmann boulevards, designed by Baron Haussmann in the 19th century, transformed Paris into a modern city with wide avenues lined with uniform buildings. This innovative urban plan, which reshaped Paris, remains a model of urban planning and architecture both in France and internationally.

Montparnasse's cultural and creative centers. Montparnasse, the historic district of artists and intellectuals, particularly in the early 20th century, was the birthplace of many artistic and literary movements. Cafés such as Le Dôme and La Rotonde, as well as artists' studios, played a central role in the history of modern art.

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The vineyards of Montmartre. This urban vineyard, one of the last in Paris, plays an important role in the city's historical memory, particularly in relation to popular culture and the history of Montmartre.

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Parisian tearooms. Parisian tearooms have a long tradition and an important place in the city's social culture. Institutions such as Angelina, Ladurée and Café de la Paix are part of Paris's gastronomic and cultural history, symbolizing the Parisian art of living.

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Markets and fairs. Christmas and antique markets, such as those in Saint-Ouen, represent commercial and craft traditions that combine intangible heritage and the places themselves. And let's not forget food markets like the Enfants Rouges.

Manufacture des Gobelins. The famous royal manufactory, founded in the 17th century, is renowned for its tapestries and exceptional craftsmanship in the manufacture of art textiles, influencing the history of decorative art.

The Lutetia arenas. The Lutetia arenas, a Gallo-Roman vestige in the Latin Quarter, are the remains of an ancient amphitheatre built in the 1st century.

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Cirque d'Hiver and the circus tradition in Paris. The Cirque d'Hiver de Paris is one of the oldest circuses still operating in the world. The art of the circus in Paris, with its acrobatics, clowning and animal training, is part of a tradition that has left its mark on French entertainment culture.

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