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"This paper offers a critical analysis of the Great Sites Operations, a French land use planning policy to construct, establish and mark high heritage value for tourist areas. Since the beginning of the eighties, the French Ministry of the Environment has led a policy to rehabilitate some protected sites highly visited by tourists. Around 43 listed sites have been chosen in several tourist areas both on the coast and inland. In 2004, four major spots were officially selected as Great Sight-Seeing of France because of their good environmental management. These Great Sight-Seeing Operations aim at making local tourism development consistent with the preservation of undamaged landscapes. The criteria for the selection are first studied; it thus shows an 'official' geography of French heritage, whose relativity and malleability make the management of these operations long and difficult. Second, the sight-seeing operations are compared with other French landscapes and heritages protection acts: national and natural parks, UNESCO World heritage, etc. In this, the significance of those great projects of is better understood. At the end, it becomes possible to discuss the notions and improve the accuracy of the carrying capacity, of tourism flows management and of the links between tourism and heritage."