Hybrid places and tourism, a necessary network

Third places and hybrid places: what are we talking about?

The concept of third places (Third Place An (English) was gradually adopted about ten years ago to designate spaces for meetings and practices that promote hybridization. Since “a third place is not defined by what it is, but by what we do about it”, there are as many definitions as there are places. However, France Tiers-Lieux presents the 5 elements that characterize them:

• Places rooted in their territory which are born from a desire to undertake local businesses and bring together a diversity of local actors.
• Places for experimentation, creation and innovation dedicated to practice. They are spaces that are evolving and adaptable.
• Places for cooperation and contribution where users are involved in the project, animate it and make it evolve.
• Hybrid places in which economic and social utility activities are found. Economic and governance models are also hybrid.

• Places open and friendly who they favor hospitality and facilitate meetings. They are creators of social connections.

The hybridization of uses and audiences is therefore one of the characteristics of a third place, but not all hybrid places are third places. The concept of hybrid places is therefore more inclusive than that of third places.

What are the links between hybrid places and tourism?

As part of the “Photography of third places” carried out by the Third-Places Cooperative in 2016, 32% of third places say they receive tourists or vacationers and 56% welcome nomadic workers.

The next examples make it possible to understand how the phenomenon of hybrid places contributes to the tourist dynamic of a territory.

1. The hybridization of places to meet the needs of customers

In tourism, the concept of hybridization is not new and has become a way of promoting new experiences (e.g.: Glamping) and to adapt to changes in customer behavior (e.g.: Workation, Staycation, Bleisure).

The most common model in terms of the hybridization of places in tourism is undoubtedly the link between accommodation and catering since many accommodation establishments also offer a catering service. But new models are emerging, offering services that are open to all and accessible to the local population.

‍Evi Hob: rural hotels

Evi Hob, in France, has created three “hobs” in rural areas with the mission of revitalizing territories through a new tourist and leisure offer: local products in the restaurant, local beer bar, theme evenings, concerts and exhibitions by local artists, concerts and exhibitions by local artists, specific events, etc. With its concept, Evi Hob targets both tourist and local and professional customers.

2. The hybridization of places to meet the needs of the community — The example of the mix of tourism and scientific research

La Uapishka station located at the foot of the Groulx Mountains, in the heart of the Uapishka Biodiversity Reserve, is another model of an inspiring hybrid place. This co-management company was formed by the Pessamit Innu Council and the Manicouagan-Uapishka World Biosphere Reserve (RMBMU). It combines a mission to acquire scientific knowledge with an ecotourism vocation. The site offers accommodation, food and outdoor activities, as well as logistical support associated with scientific activities. It thus welcomes several types of clients (affiliated university, student, government authority, etc.).

3. Third places, actors in the tourist offer of a territory

For many third places, accommodation and catering are a way of generating autonomous income. They then participate in the local tourist offer.

Thus, the Jean-Moulin Workshops in Plouhinec welcome large groups and thus make up for the lack of accommodation capacity in hotel establishments in the region. Seasonal workers are also accommodated on site.

La Maison Glaz, accommodation at the heart of the business model

Located on the peninsula of Gâvres, in Brittany on a former military site, the Glaz House was born out of a desire to revitalize rural areas. This activist third place is intended to be a place to raise awareness and reflect on ecological transition and climate change. There is a shared workspace, accommodation for groups and you can attend workshops, conferences and concerts. Its economic model is based on welcoming MICE customers (seminars, groups, etc.) and renting for events. With 12,000 annual visitors, Maison Glaze can keep several full-time employees all year round and attracts “activist tourism.”

4. Third places, tools for the enhancement of heritage

With environmental and social vocations, many third places have emerged from projects to temporarily occupy space (wasteland) or to rehabilitate historical and/or industrial heritage. The examples are numerous, such as the Village at Pied-du-Courant in Montreal, La Recyclerie in Paris (former train station) or the International City of the French Language which will see the light of day at the Château de Villers-Cotterêts. These places are then an opportunity to rediscover the material and intangible heritage of a territory.

Mother House: an inspiring example in Quebec

In Baie-Saint-Paul, the organization Mother House is an example in terms of heritage rehabilitation and hybrid places. This NPO's mandate is to manage the heritage complex of the former convent. His vocation? “Making the former convent of the Petites Franciscaines de Marie the heart of sustainable innovation in Baie-Saint-Paul”. Today, the complex is occupied by various innovative companies and combines numerous services:

• Rental of commercial spaces for companies and associations, room rental (work, cultural or corporate event);
• One shared workspace promoting entrepreneurship;
• One Museum itinerary with exhibitions and interpretation that allows you to discover the history of the place and that is part of a sustainable tourism perspective;
• One alternative accommodation service offered to workers, students and interns in order to attract and retain workers. In particular, this accommodation made it possible to welcome students from the first cohort of the AEC Guide program in adventure tourism and ecotourism in collaboration with Formation Continue Charlevoix.

“Maison Mère remains a valuable partner for the tourism industry because of its museum history and the nature of the activities of some of its occupants, including, in particular, the Auberge des Balcons, the Mousse Café and the Cuisine & Cinema.”

Mother House will soon welcome Espace Bleu in Charlevoix as part of the government project of Blue spaces, a network of cultural and heritage sites whose aim is to preserve built heritage while contributing to the economic, cultural and tourist vitality of Quebec.

5. The hybridization of reception areas to animate the territory

“Often the Guéret Tourist Office refers people to us who are more in search of social ties, who want to know about cultural events or who want to discover something else.” The Hardware store, a third place in Guéret

Today, there is a real potential to diversify uses in tourist reception areas. In France, many tourist offices are working to become regional organizers and to build more links between visitors and residents. Without being able to be qualified as third places, some tourist offices are rethinking their spaces and services (e.g.: game library, library, digital museum, shared workspace, bike park, etc.). I refer you on this subject to This article by Jean-Luc Boulin published on etourisme.info last April. Through three concrete examples, it illustrates how tourist offices in France have opened up to residents.

A solution for more sustainable tourism and territorial development

Through these numerous inspiring examples illustrate that the mix of uses, places and audiences appears as a solution to develop our territories more sustainably. Still not convinced? Here is a non-exhaustive list of the benefits of hybrid places:

• Meet the needs of the local community (territory, residents, residents, businesses, associations) and of a new tourist clientele looking for authentic places and meetings;
• Are more resilient, as they are often places with multiple statuses and funding sources. The classic business model is to rent multi-purpose spaces to associations, start-ups, etc.
• The hybridization of uses and users offers the opportunity to counter seasonality and to create annual jobs;
• Maximize partnerships with local actors and promote the social acceptability of tourism;
• Participate in the development of entrepreneurship.

So what are we waiting for?

Still timid in Canada, third places are very common in France. If today, France has more than 3000 TL, supported by the public authorities and grouped into a network, it is because the State has recognized the social value of third places and their value as a laboratory for innovations.

In essence, a third place cannot be imposed on the community. They are born through local collective action, in response to a need or problem of the territory, and then become places at the service of wider societal transitions (tourism, agriculture, digital technology, work, culture, learning).

Thus, if we want to see this type of place multiply in our territories, it is up to us to approach our public authorities, to make them aware of their importance. It is up to us, project leaders and tourism actors, to work more in partnership with other sectors of activity, other actors outside tourism to create hybrid models that are more attractive and resilient.

‍To go further, our selection of articles on territorial and tourism development:

(Re) discover your territory: inspiring initiatives!

Consulting residents, a must today!

And also‍

The Third-Lieux Cooperative and the MONA (2021). Small Precise Third-Places and Tourism.‍

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