The aim of this research is to analyse and understand relationships between religious heritage and mountain protected areas (natural heritage). This research highlights the persistent boundaries between natural and cultural heritage and the meaning of the sacred in the heritage process.The meaning of “religious spaces, places and edifices” and the relationships between heritage / society / mountain areas and granting of heritage status have been studied. Recently, Natural Parks develop new missions and are interested by the “cultural landscape” concept developed by international authorise (e.g. UNESCO). What are the meaning and the significance of cultural and religious heritage in mountain protected areas? The studied areas are the Grande-Chartreuse monastery (French Alps), the Qadisha valley and the Forest of cedars of God (Northern Lebanon). Qualitative methodology has been chosen for this research, such as chronosystemic approach, textual analysis (tourist documents and travel books) and analysis of collected data (legislations, interviews, government reports, fieldwork, maps, etc.).
