Site: « Grand site naturel de Ploumanac'h », Brittany, France

Numero di Eco-Contatori: 11

Number of Eco-Counters: 11

Products: Paving slabs, pyroelectics, tubes for hydro-cars, Eco-Twin, Eco PC Pro.

Having been using Eco-Counter since 1995, the managers of this Perros Guirec site have noted several advantages to be gained when measuring public frequentation. These tools allow them to improve the management of the public on the site and set up an appropriate system of signposting. Initially restored with the aim of attracting tourists and injecting energy into the local economy, the site's popularity rapidly reached a critical level. The problem was such that it required the traffic to be managed via various different areas of the site. Eco-Counter thus allows the managers to gauge almost immediately the impact that a new road sign will have.

The use of Eco-Counter has brought to light the effects that the change to a 35 hour working week has had on the frequentation of the site which is now in sharp increase all year round. The spread of the visitors throughout the year is also widening, including periods outside of the school holidays.

With more than 700,000 visitors a year, the battle against path erosion constitutes a very high factor in the Ploumanac'h site's future. Having knowledge of the degree of public frequentation of the site has made it possible for adminstrators to calculate the life expectancy of the paths' surfaces and thus able to justify the investments needed from political decision-makers. This information was very useful at the time when the managed area was being enlarged and allowed the planners to make the right choices.