Heritage

This church facing Notre-Dame, one of the oldest in Paris, houses a Byzantine treasure.

In the shade of René-Viviani Square, the church of Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre defies time with quietly captivating discretion. While its façade may look modest, it houses one of Paris's most singular liturgical treasures: a monumental iconostasis. A sacred pause just steps from the bustle of the Seine riverside scene.

Did you know? There used to be another geode, just like the one at La Villette, in La Défense.

Have you ever noticed the spherical silhouette on the La Défense esplanade? From 1992 to 2000, this Dome housed the world’s largest IMAX theater, delivering total immersion for film buffs. A chapter that would not last more than eight years...

Essonne: a château with remarkable gardens you absolutely must discover to go green

The Domaine de Courson, a château classified as a Historic Monument and a park labelled Jardin Remarquable in Courson-Monteloup, Essonne, opens its doors to visitors until November 1. Now is the time to discover its sublime green spaces and, perhaps, delve into the castle’s history through a guided tour.

This major French luxury group has confirmed the return of its Journées Particulières in October 2026.

LVMH's Journées Particulières return this fall, October 16–18, 2026, for a sixth edition focused on excellence. A chance to visit for free the ateliers, estates, cellars, and historic boutiques of the Group’s maisons, in iconic and one-of-a-kind venues.

Château-Musée de Nemours : discover this little-known medieval fortress, a unique gem in Île-de-France

Rare urban medieval castle in Île-de-France, the Château-Musée de Nemours reopened its doors this April with the exhibition "Paysages d'eau" ("Water Landscapes"), just a stone's throw from the Loing, its free-access gardens, and a Natura 2000–listed island. It’s the transportive discovery that’s well worth the detour.

Why did the Liège station on Line 13 change its name after the war?

Liège station stands apart from any other. With its asymmetric platforms and murals celebrating Belgium, this stop on Line 13 hides a turbulent history, a symbol of a heroic resistance that operated part-time for years.

Roland-Garros 2026: where does the Paris tennis tournament come from? 5 facts and anecdotes

For nearly a century, Paris has rightly stood as the global hub of tennis, with the Roland-Garros tournament at its heart. You may follow this event with enthusiasm, but do you know everything there is to know about this clay-court fixture?

This Napoleon III–style bourgeois mansion hides a little-known park along the Oise.

Elegant 19th-century silhouette posed within a vast green setting, this property on the banks of the Oise tells, in its own way, another story of Île-de-France's heritage. Between bourgeois architecture, a tree-lined park, and local memory, this site—today designated Regional Heritage—retains a discreet charm that deserves a visit.

A Parisian square in the 6th arrondissement hides benches shaped like books under the shade of cherry trees.

Under the shade of the Institut de France’s dome, a small garden offers a sculpted homage to the literary soul of the 6th arrondissement, through striking limestone benches where you can read in the shadow of the cherry trees. A little secret that only reveals itself to passersby who aren’t in too much of a hurry.

Museum Night 2026 at the Château de Versailles (Yvelines, 78): the program for the Sun King’s domain.

What’s in store for the 2026 Night of Museums at the Château de Versailles? Here’s what to expect for the 22nd edition, taking place on Saturday, May 23, 2026.

Yvelines: the little-known château that inspired Ronsard and Cézanne is open to visitors!

Nestled on the banks of the Seine in Médan, Yvelines, the Château de Médan is a former hunting lodge listed as a Historic Monument, a site whose history weaves together poetry, painting and royal intrigues. The château is open to visitors once a month, for group bookings, or on special occasions such as Open Gardens or Heritage Days—we’ve got the full details.

Yvelines: The Templar Commandery and its historic chapel reinvented as the Digital City

In Élancourt, in the Yvelines, the Commandery of the Templars of La Villedieu has weathered the centuries, reinventing itself as a true digital hub, set between a listed medieval chapel, free exhibitions, and innovative tools for everyone.

At Disneyland Paris, this little-known relic behind Space Mountain harks back to the early days of animation.

At Disneyland Paris, a hidden praxinoscope in Discoveryland, behind Space Mountain, near the Discoveryland Theater, brings Mickey to life in his sorcerer’s apprentice costume. This little-known object reveals one of the park’s most discreet details, straddling optical illusion, the history of animation, and retro-futurist charm.

This keep in Essonne is a miniature replica of Philippe Auguste's medieval Louvre.

Did you know? The keep of the Château de Dourdan, in Essonne, was built on the same model as Philippe Auguste’s medieval Louvre. Just 44 km from Paris, this listed monument is open to visitors year-round.

Seine-et-Marne: you can sleep in this 12th-century royal keep!

In Moret-sur-Loing, Seine-et-Marne, the Donjon de Moret offers an extraordinary stay inside a 12th‑century historic monument, a former royal residence. Whether you’re after a night in a guest room in a place steeped in history or a family-friendly rental that’s a refreshing change, this is an experience to behold.

Hauts-de-Seine: the keep that dominates Île-de-France was meant to be the Sacré-Cœur’s little sister

High above Suresnes in the Hauts-de-Seine, a strange 25-meter neo-medieval fortress has watched over Paris since the early 20th century. Behind its machicolations and murder holes lies a delicious tale of unapologetic anticlericalism.

Disneyland Paris: this long-forgotten Main Street USA show that used to make car fans dream

At Disneyland Paris, Main Street U.S.A. wasn’t just about lining up Victorian façades and ragtime tunes: at the park’s 1992 opening, Main Street Motors was rumored to have offered visitors a genuine American garage setting populated by vintage cars. A little-known, ultra-nostalgic anecdote that continues to brighten the eyes of both car enthusiasts and park fans.

This stunt show propelled you into the heart of a movie set at Disneyland Paris.

For many years, Moteur... Action ! Stunt Show Spectacular was one of Disneyland Paris’s most spectacular shows. With cars tearing through at full speed, micrometer-perfect explosions, and filming secrets laid bare for the audience, this now-defunct attraction at the Walt Disney Studios plunged visitors into the behind-the-scenes world of action cinema.

This keep in Val-d'Oise, which hides a 100-meter secret passage, reopens its doors

In the heart of the village of La Roche-Guyon, one of Val d'Oise's most beautiful villages in France, an extraordinary troglodyte castle rises, opening to visitors from April 1, 2026, with a medieval keep and its closely guarded secrets.

In Yvelines, you can climb to the top of this tower for a sweeping view of the medieval town.

Rising 25 metres above the Yvelines, Houdan's keep hides a history as solid as it is unusual. A survivor from the 12th century, this stone colossus weathered demolition by being transformed into a functional water tower for nearly a century. An architectural curiosity that today offers an exceptional panorama of the medieval town.