International audience For the small mountain territory of Vicdessos, the closure of the Pechiney metallurgy plant in Auzat, in 2003, brought to an end a century dominated by industrial activity. The closure has led to a new economic project based on tourism development. The shift from aluminium electrometallurgy to outdoor recreation will entail a far-reaching change in local cultural identity, seen as key to the success of the project and the employment opportunities it envisions based on new economic foundations.