On Thursday, 30 April, the Espaces et Sociétés department at University of Angers hosted a seminar dedicated to the growing role of sunsets in tourism development. The event formed part of the Atlantic Sunset project, funded by the Interreg Atlantic Area programme.
The seminar brought together researchers, tourism professionals, and local stakeholders to explore how sunsets can become a valuable cultural and tourism asset for Atlantic regions.
The morning sessions focused on academic and research perspectives surrounding sunsets and tourism. Historian Johan Vincent presented a historical analysis based on postcards and archival films, while Guillaume Aubry explored artistic representations of sunsets through the lens of art history. Emmanuel Jaurand offered a geographical perspective, introducing a typology of tourism practices linked to sunset experiences. In addition, Lou Robert-Bonamy and Alan Gema shared sociological and geographical insights, drawing on their experiences as interns involved in the Atlantic Sunset project.
In the afternoon, the discussion shifted toward practical initiatives and local tourism strategies. Vincent Lucas from the Pléneuf-Val-André Tourist Office and Marie-Rose Coulombel from the Iroise Bretagne Tourist Office presented regional approaches to promoting sunsets as part of destination branding and visitor experiences. Xavier Poirel also introduced the Suncatcher app, a digital tool designed to help users discover and enjoy sunset locations.
Throughout the day, participants highlighted the strong synergy between academic research and local tourism initiatives. The seminar underscored the potential of sunset-related tourism as an innovative and sustainable development opportunity for Atlantic territories.