World Heritage Identification Number: 1603
World Heritage since: 2019
Category: Natural Heritage
WHE Type: Protected Areas & National Parks
Transboundary Heritage: No
Endangered Heritage: No
Country: 🇫🇷 France
Continent: Europe
UNESCO World Region: Europe and North America
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French Austral Lands and Seas: A Biodiversity Haven in the Southern Ocean
The French Austral Lands and Seas (FALS) is an extraordinary expanse of land and sea located in the remote southern Indian Ocean. Comprising several archipelagos and isolated islands, this UNESCO World Heritage Site encompasses over 166 million hectares, making it one of the largest territories under French sovereignty.
More to come…UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site
The French Austral Lands and Seas comprise the largest of the rare emerged landmasses in the southern Indian Ocean: the Crozet Archipelago, the Kerguelen Islands, Saint-Paul and Amsterdam Islands as well as 60 small sub-Antarctic islands. This ‘oasis’ in the middle of the Southern Ocean covers an area of more than 166 million ha and supports one of the highest concentrations of birds and marine mammals in the world. In particular, it has the largest population of King Penguins and Yellow-nosed albatrosses in the world. The remoteness of these islands from centres of human activity makes them extremely well-preserved showcases of biological evolution and a unique terrain for scientific research.
UNESCO Justification of the World Heritage Site
Criterion (vii): The French Austral Lands and Seas, with their pristine natural heritage, are one of the last wilderness areas on the planet. They feature a unique concentration of marine birds and mammals in the sub-Antarctic region, with enormous colonies where an abundance of species, sounds, colours and scents blend harmoniously. A few examples are the world’s largest colony of King Penguins on Île aux Cochons in Crozet Archipelago, the world’s biggest colony of Yellow-nosed Albatross on the sheer cliffs of Entrecasteaux on Amsterdam Island, and the second largest population of Elephant Seals in the world on Courbet Peninsula in Kerguelen. Grandiose volcanic landscapes teeming with life reinforce the exceptional character of the site. These territories stimulate the imagination and are a source of inspiration to anyone.
Criterion (ix): The French Austral Lands and Seas lie at the convergence of three ocean fronts and have large continental shelves. This makes them extremely productive areas in the midst of a relatively poor ocean, allowing the development of a rich and diverse food web. The site is vast and includes one of the largest marine protected areas in the world. Because of this, it features a high representation of the biodiversity of the Southern Ocean and the ecological processes that occur in it. It protects all the key areas to support the life cycles of species in the territory, thus ensuring the maintenance of high concentrations of marine birds and mammals. The importance of these primary productive areas and their role in the regulation of the carbon cycle make an essential contribution to the health of oceans. These remote islands, which lie thousands of kilometres away from any continent and are protected from the impact of human activities, are true showcases of biological evolution and therefore unique models to monitor global changes.
Criterion (x): The French Austral Lands and Seas are an exceptional site for the conservation of the world’s birds. They are home to over 50 million birds of up to 47 species. Close to half of the global population of 16 of these species breeds on these islands. For example, they feature the largest population of King Penguin and Yellow-nosed Albatross in the world, as well as 8 endemic species such as the Amsterdam Albatross, a flagship species and one of the world’s rarest birds. They also host large populations of Pinnipeds, including the second largest colony of Southern Elephant Seals and the third largest colony of sub-Antarctic Fur Seals in the world, and also cetaceans such as Commerson’s Dolphin, an endemic subspecies occurring in Kerguelen. The species richness and diversity of the French Austral Lands and Seas, which is unique in the Southern Ocean, gives the site an Outstanding Universal Value.
Encyclopedia Record: French Southern and Antarctic Lands
The French Southern and Antarctic Lands is an overseas territory of France.Additional Site Details
Area: 166,267,100 hectares
Number of Components: 3
(ix) — Outstanding example representing ecological and biological processes
(x) — Contains most important habitats for biodiversity
Coordinates: -49.3803611111 , 69.3528055556
IUCN World Heritage Outlook
The 2025 Conservation Outlook on French Austral Lands and Seas reports the following assessment:
Source: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) · View assessment
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© Nelly Gravier. Used with permission.
World Heritage Research
Discover scientific research and academic studies that deepen our understanding of French Austral Lands and Seas from its history and significance to its conservation, management, and contemporary challenges.
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Lagoon hydrodynamics of pearl farming islands: the case of Gambier (French Polynesia)
A comprehensive nine-month study of the Gambier lagoon in French Polynesia revealed critical hydrodynamic patterns influencing black pearl oyster (Pinctada margaritifera) spat collection, a cornerstone of the region's pearl farming industry. The research, conducted between 2019 and 2020 as part of the ANR-funded MANA project, deployed an extensive array of autonomous oceanographic instruments to measure temperature, pressure, and currents across sixteen locations in the lagoon and forereef. Key findings highlighted the wave climate, tidal dynamics, and lagoonal circulation, particularly in the northern region and Rikitea sub-lagoon—a prime spat collection site. These observations provided foundational data for a high-resolution biophysical model aimed at understanding oyster larvae connectivity. The study underscores the importance of detailed hydrodynamic data in advancing sustainable pearl farming practices while contributing to broader ecological insights for UNESCO World Heritage Sites like the French Austral Lands and Seas.
Bruyère, O., Le Gendre, R., Liao, V., & Andréfouët, S. (2024). Lagoon hydrodynamics of pearl farming islands: the case of Gambier (French Polynesia). Earth System Science Data, 16(1), 667–679. https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-16-667-2024
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The genus Ramalina (Ascomycota, Lecanoromycetes, Ramalinaceae) from the Scattered Islands (French Southern and Antarctic Lands), with descriptions of three new species
A systematic survey of lichens conducted in the French Scattered Islands (French Southern and Antarctic Lands) identified five species of the genus Ramalina, including three previously undescribed species: Ramalina gloriosensis sp. nov., R. hivertiana sp. nov., and R. marteaui sp. nov. These discoveries were made using a combination of morphological analysis—examining macroscopic and microscopic features—and advanced chemical profiling via high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD-MS). The study also provided an identification key for the species found in the region, which will aid future research on this genus. This work contributes to the understanding of lichen biodiversity in these remote and ecologically significant islands.
Poncet, R., Lohézic – Le Dévéhat, F., Ferron, S., Hivert, J., Fontaine, C., Picot, F., Bidault, E., & Kervran, L. (2021). The genus Ramalina (Ascomycota, Lecanoromycetes, Ramalinaceae) from the Scattered Islands (French Southern and Antarctic Lands), with descriptions of three new species. Plant and Fungal Systematics, 66(2), 211–224. https://doi.org/10.35535/pfsyst-2021-0019
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Business families in Southern Patagonia: from the end of the 19th Century to the first decades of 20th century
Family businesses played a pivotal role in the economic development of Southern Patagonia during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, serving as the foundation for trade in hunting products, leather, and exotic feathers. These enterprises, often established through personal and familial networks, expanded rapidly by integrating with international markets and leveraging land concessions. The study analyzes the genealogical and commercial trajectories of three prominent family businesses—particularly the Braun-Menéndez Behety family—to uncover strategies that ensured their survival and growth. It highlights the interplay between local economic structures, European capitalism, and interregional connections, while also emphasizing the role of familial and social dynamics in entrepreneurial success. The research employs a genealogy-based approach, combining economic history and entrepreneurial theory to elucidate the evolution of these businesses.
Bandieri, S., & Almaraz, A. (2020). Business families in Southern Patagonia: from the end of the 19th Century to the first decades of 20th century. Journal of Evolutionary Studies in Business, 5(2), 33–79. https://doi.org/10.1344/jesb2020.2.j076
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The French Austral Lands and Seas Biodiversity haven in the Southern Ocean
The French Austral Lands and Seas, encompassing the Crozet Archipelago, Kerguelen Islands, and Saint-Paul and Amsterdam islands, were inscribed as the 50th marine World Heritage Site in 2019. This recognition highlights their exceptional biodiversity and ecological significance in the Southern Ocean. The region, administered by the Terres australes et antarctiques françaises (TAAF), serves as a critical haven for conservation, research, and sustainable fisheries management. Spanning between the 37th and 50th southern parallels, these territories support unique ecosystems that thrive in the harsh conditions of the southern Indian Ocean, underscoring their global importance for biodiversity preservation.
(Ed.). (2020). The French Austral Lands and Seas Biodiversity haven in the Southern Ocean. World Heritage Review, 2020(96), 24–29. https://doi.org/10.18356/27887138-2020-96-3
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