TRAVER(RE)SE Project

The Traver(re)se project aims to enhance the cultural, tourist, and economic appeal of the Franco-Walloon cross-border region by promoting its industrial glassmaking heritage, while fostering social inclusion and innovation. It is based on a collaborative, cross-border approach involving three groups of stakeholders (museums, universities, and tourism offices) that are closely linked to community organizations. The goal: to build a shared narrative around the tangible and intangible heritage of the glass industry, which has historically been rooted on both sides of the border. This sector, which has been a cornerstone of the Sambre industrial valleys and the Avesnois Highlands, developed independently of administrative borders. The project therefore follows a relevant territorial axis, from Floreffe to Trélon, notably tracing the route of EuroVélo 3, which follows the former energy and logistics corridors of the glass industry.

Traver(re)se aims to translate this shared narrative into five immersive cycling tours, designed using a participatory methodology that combines contributions from citizens and professionals. These routes will be enhanced by geolocated digital features, complemented by cultural programming, engaging content, and tools for interpreting the region. The goal is twofold: on the one hand, to transform the partners’ working practices through the development of shared tools (methodology, data sharing, governance); on the other hand, to offer the public (residents, tourists, visitors, and school groups) an immersive experience rooted in the history of the area.

The project aims to change residents’ perspective on their region by reviving the memory of the glassworks through a socio-anthropological and intergenerational approach. This is a co-creation process that fosters a sense of meaning and pride, based on intertwined narratives. This work will lead to the development of a “rooted” tourism offering, co-created from start to finish with citizens. By building the professional capacity of stakeholders and facilitating cross-sectoral and cross-border exchanges, the project offers a method that can be adapted to other regions facing the loss of their industrial base. Concrete deliverables include immersive tours, a collaboration platform, and a methodological guide for facilitating citizen collectives.

Traver(re)se stands out for several original features: the central role given to collective narratives rooted in local experiences, translated into immersive solutions designed with a transmedia approach; the joint mobilization of expertise in industrial history, social sciences, tourism engineering, and digital technology; and a strong transdisciplinary and transregional approach.