The coastal zone is an area of conflicting processes reflecting its position at the interface between the terrestrial and marine environments. Thus, this area needs further study and an enforcement of coordinated conservation policy for the implementation of effective protection. The question is: How integrate the natural heritage in the Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) processes? After a presentation of the French Atlantic coast, e.g. English Channel and Bay of Biscay, the main characteristics of the natural heritage, the knowledge tools, the current legislation applicable to the coastal natural heritage for the species and the territories are given. In conclusion, is given the status of the recent development in term to integrate the natural heritage in the ICZM. It appears that there are numerous interactions of multiple interventions thus asks for a clarification of the network of current expertise resulting in an eventual harmonisation and institutional coordination taking into account all organisms which are linked to this coastal zone. The reform of the status of the Conservatory of the Coastal Areas and Lakeshore, the marine action plan for the marine environment by the French Ecology Ministry, the creation of a National Marine Protected Areas Agency, the green book and ‘Marine Strategy Framework Directive’ that underline the need to increase the knowledge on the marine ecosystem, offer nowadays interesting prospects to insure a better integration of the protection of the littoral natural patrimony in the ICZM process.