Heritage

August 15 ephemeris: Laying the foundation stone for the Arc de Triomphe in Paris

On August 15, 1806, the foundation stone was laid for the Arc de Triomphe, built by order of Napoleon 1st to commemorate the victories of the French armies. We tell you the story of the moment that saw the birth of one of the symbols of Paris.

Can you visit the Moulin Rouge? Here's what you can truly discover inside the famous Parisian cabaret.

Le Moulin Rouge, located on Boulevard de Clichy at the foot of Montmartre, draws crowds year-round—spectators and curious visitors eager to glimpse its hall, its history, and its backstage areas. But under what conditions can one actually step inside this iconic Paris cabaret, and are there sightseeing options outside of performances? Here’s everything you need to know!

This hotel-restaurant in Saint-Germain-en-Laye hides a secret room—the birthplace of Louis XIV.

A royal cradle tucked away in a hotel-restaurant! In Saint-Germain-en-Laye, the Pavillon Henri IV houses the oratory where Louis XIV was born in 1638. Discover the secrets of this exceptional historic residence and the conditions for visiting its centerpiece.

Can you visit the Conseil d'État in Paris? Here’s how to discover the Palais-Royal in a different way

Based in the Palais-Royal, in Paris’s 1st arrondissement, the Conseil d’État is among the capital’s most discreet institutions. Many people think it opens its doors only on rare occasions. Yet several options let you discover this historic site. Here’s how to visit!

Heritage Days 2026: visit Saint-Laurent Church in Paris

For Heritage Days 2026 in Paris, head to Saint-Laurent Church to discover this flamboyant Gothic masterpiece right in the heart of the capital. The program includes guided tours of the building on Saturday, 19 and Sunday, 20 September 2026.

This 1930s garden city hides an astonishing Art Deco décor.

conceived in the 1930s as a true city within a city, this garden suburb brought together housing, schools, shops, bathhouses and green spaces. Its horseshoe-shaped layout and Art Deco architecture still offer, today, a different way of imagining the working-class suburb.

Candlelit evenings at the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte in 2026: a magical stroll with a drone show

Candlelit evenings at the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte promise a magical moment to share with loved ones. The program includes a nighttime tour by the glow of 2,000 candles, water games, a romantic stroll through the gardens set to Baroque music, and even fireworks if conditions permit! An exceptional experience running from May 16 to September 26, 2026.

This medieval tower and its historic ruins in Seine-et-Marne open to the public for free this summer.

Just a stone’s throw from Provins, the Tour de Saint-Loup and its ruins welcome visitors this summer for a free dive into medieval history. A fortified 13th-century priory saved from the ravages of war, this historic monument hides a fascinating past.

Together with the Cormeilles fort, this military strongpoint formed one of Paris's defensive bulwarks.

With its neighbor a little further to the west, this imposing military work formed one of the main defensive bottlenecks protecting the capital’s northern approaches in the wake of the Franco-Prussian War. Still owned by the Ministry of the Armed Forces, it has retained its military character and much of its original fittings, making it a rare witness to the fortification system conceived at the end of the 19th century.

This 43-hectare fortress in Val-d'Oise is among the best-preserved in France.

Built to defend Paris after the Franco-Prussian War of 1870, this military fort has weathered nearly 150 years of history without losing the essence of its architecture. With its ramparts, casemates and vast, still-intact spaces, it today ranks among the best-preserved fortified works in Île-de-France.

This basilica captivates as much with its architecture as with the treasure it houses.

A major monument of the 19th century, this religious building captivates the eye not only with its scale and neo-Romanesque design but also with the treasure it guards within its walls. For centuries, one of Christianity’s most famous relics has drawn pilgrims, curious visitors, and heritage enthusiasts here, making this site one of France’s most important pilgrimage sanctuaries.

With its Italian villa vibe, this château stands out in the heart of Île-de-France.

With brick and stone façades, turrets, loggias and terraces, this elegant residence looks straight out of a grand Italian Renaissance villa. Yet this setting is right here in Île-de-France, where it tells the story of a leisure estate nestled in a park that has been shaped for more than three centuries.

With its clock tower and timber-framed façade, this Val-d’Oise railway station looks as if it were from another era.

With its postcard-perfect silhouette, a clock tower that towers over the platforms, and half-timbered façades, this station stands out from the usual image of suburban stations. Heir to the sweeping railway transformations of the interwar period, it preserves a distinctive charm that whisks travelers to another era, long before daily commutes and information screens.

This timber-framed station with a clock tower stands out as one of the most remarkable in Île-de-France.

With its unconventional silhouette, its clock tower and timber-framed façades, this station stands out from the usual image of suburban rail hubs. Behind this almost picturesque setting lies the history of a railway building transformed in the early 20th century, which over the decades became a true architectural landmark for everyday travelers.

8 offbeat outings to explore the heritage of Paris and Île-de-France this summer, 2026

Between secret tours, little-known architecture, and immersive experiences, this summer reveals a new side of Île-de-France’s heritage. Here are eight fresh ideas to explore the region differently, where history meets hidden curiosities.

This former school is the oldest preserved building in L'Isle-Adam.

For years devoted to educating children, this 17th-century house is today one of the most precious witnesses to the local past. Behind its stone façades lies a story of transmission, faith, and heritage that spans more than three centuries of history.

This bourgeois house conceals the history of a former princely castle.

This site, designated as Regional Heritage, hides behind its bourgeois waterfront-house façade the traces of an old princely estate. A discreet address, but steeped in history.

This Gothic church in Val-d'Oise shines once more after 14 years of renovation.

The Saint-Germain-l'Auxerrois Church in Presles, Val-d'Oise, shines once more after fourteen years of restoration. This jewel of flamboyant Gothic architecture, listed as a Historic Monument, was inaugurated on Friday, June 5, 2026.

You pass them every day in Paris without noticing: these little bollards and posts hide a royal history.

In Paris, bollards, posts and wheel guards lining the sidewalks have protected façades, pedestrians and terraces for centuries. From carriages to scooters, a retrospective on the history of these urban sentinels we pass by without really seeing.

This Pompadour-era château in the Yvelines hides a superb estate and a Japanese garden.

Few people know the Château de La Celle-Saint-Cloud, in Yvelines, which hosts a 23-hectare estate featuring a Japanese garden, contemporary sculptures, and a classified park. For Rendez-vous aux Jardins 2026, we headed out to discover this hidden historical treasure that’s well worth a stroll.