For more than 50 years, the inhabitants, local elected officials, Departmental Councilors of Pas-de-Calais and the State have realized that this exceptional natural site must be protected! Here are some dates recalling the preservation actions put in place for this setting of well-being :
- 1963 : Cap Gris-Nez cove is the first to be classified
- 1973 : Classification of the Slack and Pointe aux Oies estuary,
- 1978 : the Grand Site des Deux-Caps benefits from the first Grand Site Operation approach in France: it integrates the 26 Major National Sites,
- 1987 : the entire site is classified,
- 1989 : Operation Cap 93 is launched, it enables the first emergency works to be carried out
- 2000 : the “Reseau Grand Sites de France” created and has 17 members: this is the start of Operation Grand Site (OGS), orchestrated by the Regional Natural Park of Caps et Marais d'Opale,
- 2004 : the General Council becomes the contracting authority for the OGS project,
- 2005 : safety work is carried out on Cap Blanc-Nez,
- June 2007-2010 : completion of the first phase of work,
- 2010 : start of the second phase of the works,
- March 29, 2011 : The Grand Site des Deux-Caps obtains the “Grand Site de France” label and becomes the 9th labeled site in France out of the current 18. The Minister in charge of Ecology, Sustainable Development, Transport and Housing awarded this label to the Department of Pas-de-Calais.
- May 2018 : Renewal of the label by the Minister of Ecological and Solidarity Transition Nicolas Hulot.
