This thesis examines the privileged relationship between culture and the geographical area in Rouergue. It addresses concepts encompassed by the notion of culture (shared languages, knowledge, know-how, attitudes, interpersonal skills, local art) and nature (rurality, territories under construction, places and perceived landscapes). The dawning of the 20th century and the decline of Occitan has led to a new cultural construction that has engendered promising rural dynamics. However, identity tensions related to conflicting investment objectives in the region are feeding misunderstandings. A dichotomous opposition between natives and newcomers has rendered social relations complex and nourished feelings of ill will. In light of these challenges to local development, the cultural construction underway depends on both exogenous influences (global culture) and traditional local representations. Our hypothesis aims to demonstrate that culture is the result of a social construct connected to global culture, but also linked to nature as it is perceived by its inhabitants (natives and newcomers). As a potential element of change, culture is mediated by representations of nature. It is built on three axes that interact and/or oppose one another: atavistic culture, global culture and composite culture (either through contact or mixing). Culture is clearly linked to the land from which it emerges, first as a mediating force between the population and nature, then as a vehicle of a genuine polymorphic heritage, and finally as an instrument of social differentiation.
