Des Guides Joanne au Guide Vert Michelin : points, lignes, surfaces

Abstract

This article deals with tourist perception of the space from the end of the nineteenth century to our days. It compares three collections of French tourist guides: Guides Joanne, blue guides Hachette and Guides Verts Michelin. Three main periods can be distinguished. First, railway travel determines linear representation of the landscape, with a few glances on the countryside at the stations. In a second period, the car mobility makes possible a surrounding vision of regions. French school of geography influences the prefaces of the guides. Editors introduce more and more maps inside the guides. Regional cohesion becomes perceptible, especially from a naturalistic point of view. Interesting sights, museums, churches, castles and ruins remain important as well. Now, motorway, high-speed train and tourist industry transform practices and representation of the space. Tourists seem to enjoy collecting tourist sites and making circuits with themes.

Keywords

• guides touristiques
• itinéraire
• lieux
• paysage
• perception de l’espace
• région