Creating geotourism from industrial extraction: The experience of Lemptégy volcano (France)

Mines and quarries (‘industrial extraction’), expose geology and have been extensively used for geoeducation, and geotourism. There are volcano quarry sites that can be visited such as Sag Hill, Hungary, or Herzogenhügel Quarry in the Eiffel, or Montsacopa in Olot. However, in quarried volcanoes, one extracted site stands out as a success story: the Lemptégy volcano, Chaîne des Puys, France. This monogenetic volcano quarry receives about 200,000 visitors a year, is run by a local family, is self-sustaining, employing about 40 people. It protects the geoheritage while making profit. We explore, from a historical perspective, the evolution of Lemptégy volcano and we set out the conditions for its success. With this, we provide a framework, or template for the development of geosites that can be locally run, develop gradually and which can become self-sustaining geoheritage entities without heavy external finance, or interference. The success of the Lemptégy geosite relies on a combination of complementary factors, including its environmental setting, governance structure, and the nature of the geotourist offer, as well as the exceptional geological object itself. All have combined to allow Lemptégy to generate substantial and sustained revenue. This economic viability has, in turn, facilitated continuous reinvestment into new tourist and educational infrastructure, strengthening both public outreach and scientific valorization, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the site. The model of Lemptégy is applicable to many regions, geologically speaking especially for volcanoes, but also other types of geoheritage. It is also applicable to other geographic contexts as it is based on local conditions, culture, and local initiative.