Heritage

Rétromobile showcases a legendary train that the public has rarely seen before

The Bugatti railcar, an iconic train from the 1930s and a significant piece of railway heritage, will be on display at the Rétromobile exhibition at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles starting January 28th. As the last remaining unit of its series, this model, crafted by Ettore Bugatti, will be showcased to the public at this renowned event dedicated to vintage vehicles and transportation history.

Candlelit evenings at Vaux-le-Vicomte Castle 2026: a magical stroll culminating in a spectacular fireworks display

The candlelit evenings at Vaux-le-Vicomte Castle offer a truly enchanting experience to enjoy with loved ones. On the agenda: an evening tour illuminated by 2,000 candles, water displays, a romantic stroll through the gardens accompanied by baroque music, and even a spectacular fireworks display! An exceptional event to be savored from May 16 to September 26, 2026.

Did you know? A fire had devastated the City Hall—here's what it looked like before the blaze.

On May 24, 1871, right in the heart of Paris, the City Hall was destroyed by a fire set during the Paris Commune. Before it was rebuilt in the 19th century, the building showcased a Renaissance style inherited from François I, a look that can still be admired today at the Musée Carnavalet through models and original architectural details. Curious about what it looked like? Here's the story!

5 Unique Outings to Discover Heritage in Paris and Île-de-France This Spring 2026

Among secret visits, little-known architectures, and immersive experiences, this spring offers a fresh perspective on the heritage of Île-de-France. Here are five unique ideas to discover the region in a new light, blending history with hidden gems.

Centenary of The Great Gatsby: iconic places to relive the Roaring Twenties in Paris

Sequins, jazz and champagne: a century after the publication of Gatsby the Magnificent, the spirit of the Roaring Twenties lives on in Paris. From cabarets to brasseries, step back into the 1920s!

Time Travel Kiosk: experience the history of Paris in virtual reality on the Champs-Élysées.

The Champs-Élysées is home to the Time Travel Kiosk, a virtual reality installation created by Timescope, where you can relive significant historical events such as the Liberation of Paris or the return of Napoleon I's ashes. See you in March 2026 to travel back in time on the Champs-Élysées.

Contes et Histoires 2025: a fun investigation and storytelling tour at the Villa Savoye in Poissy (78)

For the 2025 edition of Tales and Stories in National Monuments, head to the Villa Savoye in Poissy: this cultural venue offers wonderful family activities during the Christmas holidays! Take part on December 20 and 21, 2025, and January 2 and 4, 2026.

Fabrique de la Flèche: immersive cinema, workshops, and a tour of the construction site at the Basilica of Saint-Denis

By 2029, the Basilica of Saint-Denis will have regained its spire on the north tower, which disappeared centuries ago. But while waiting for the work to be completed, you can visit the site and discover the expertise required for this restoration, starting October 17, 2025, with stone cutting, a forge workshop, and sound and light shows!

Did you know? La Santé Prison is the last prison within the city limits of Paris.

In the 14th arrondissement of Paris, the Santé prison, the last large intramural detention center, tells the story of more than 150 years of prison history. From its origins in the 19th century to its recent renovation, this establishment has seen many famous inmates pass through its doors.

The Musée de Cluny, Paris' museum of the Middle Ages, its program and age-old treasures

Located in the heart of the Latin Quarter, the Musée de Cluny is housed in the 13th-century Hôtel des Abbés de Cluny, and is home to works of art even older than that! Come and visit this museum dedicated to the Middle Ages in Paris.

Maison Hetzel: the home of Jules Verne's publisher, an endangered heritage site in Sèvres (92)

In the heart of Sèvres, discover the Maison Hetzel! A small troupe struggles to bring to life the history of this place where the family of this renowned publisher, who published Jules Verne and his Voyages extraordinaires, lived.

Following in the footsteps of the Aqueduc Médicis, where can you find the last remains in the 14th arrondissement?

Today, water flows easily beneath our feet, but there was a time when an aqueduct, the Médicis, carried water from Rungis with greater difficulty. Although it is less useful today than it was in the 17th century, there are still a few remnants to be discovered when strolling through the 14th arrondissement.

Reconstruction of the spire at Saint-Denis Basilica: our interview with a stonemason

On the occasion of the reconstruction of the spire of the Basilique Saint-Denis and the opening of the Fabrique de la Flèche, where visitors can tour the construction site, we met stonemason Albanne Cadennes to discuss this fascinating skill.

Auguste Comte's house, a memorial to the philosopher of positivism in Paris

In the heart of Paris' Latin Quarter, discover Auguste Comte's apartment-museum. A Maison des Illustres, it plunges us into the philosophy of the founder of French positivism.

The Parc des Princes, a soccer temple that has been home to Paris-Saint-Germain since 1974

After the Stade de France, the Parc des Princes is the largest soccer stadium in the Paris region, and has been home to Paris-Saint-Germain since the late 1970s. Accessible on guided tours, it is mainly used on match nights.

Heritage Days 2025: Visit Saint-Laurent church

For the Journées du Patrimoine 2025 in Paris, we're off to Saint-Laurent church to discover this masterpiece of flamboyant Gothic architecture in the heart of Paris. Guided tours of the building are scheduled for Saturday September 20 and Sunday September 21, 2025.

The Musée de l'Ordre de la Libération (Museum of the Order of the Liberation) retraces the history of the French Resistance at Les Invalides.

Located in the heart of the Invalides building, the Musée de l'Ordre de la Libération, founded in 1970, is dedicated to the order created by General de Gaulle, and traces the career of those who fought for a free France in the face of Nazi occupation.

Journées du Patrimoine 2025: Treasure hunt and demonstration at La Monnaie de Paris

For the Journées du Patrimoine 2025, the Monnaie de Paris is waiting to share its treasures and collections with you through a special program. Join us on the weekend of September 20 and 21, 2025 for a host of free events. Here's what's in store!

What religious treasures can you discover in the Pays de Fontainebleau?

Looking for a cultural and spiritual getaway near Paris? The Pays de Fontainebleau (77) reveals its little-known religious treasures through 3 original discovery trails. From the hermitage of Franchard to the churches along the Seine, explore chapels and steeples all year round.