Heritage

Saint-Louis Church in Fontainebleau, the other royal landmark in Seine-et-Marne

Saint-Louis Church in Fontainebleau watches over the town center, right beside the château, since the reign of Henry IV. Commissioned by Marie de Médicis and later redesigned under Napoleon III, this parish church in Seine-et-Marne is being rediscovered in 2026, after a long restoration campaign.

When will the new stained-glass windows at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris be installed?

New stained-glass windows designed by artist Claire Tabouret are set to be installed in Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. The six panels are expected to be unveiled to the public in December 2026.

When Pierre and Marie Curie Investigated a Medium: The Curious Case of Eusapia Palladino in Paris

Tables that appear to levitate, objects in motion and mysterious "ectoplasms": experiments with medium Eusapia Palladino sparked a lively debate in Belle Époque Paris. An little-known story that drew several eminent scientists, including Pierre and Marie Curie, to take a close interest in phenomena attributed to spiritism.

The Vampire of Montparnasse: the strange affair that sent 19th-century Paris into a panic

In 1849, a string of cemetery desecrations hits several Parisian burial grounds, rattling the guards and feeding the era’s darkest rumors. Known as the "Vampire of Montparnasse," the mysterious perpetrator is eventually unmasked: a look back at a macabre affair that left its mark on 19th‑century Paris.

In Paris, poisonings and black masses rocked the court of the Sun King.

What was the Poison Affair really hiding? In Paris, poisonings, occult practices, and court intrigues draw La Voisin and Louis XIV’s inner circle into a sensational judicial scandal from 1679 to 1682. A look back at a case that ultimately reached the gates of Versailles.

In Paris, a cemetery was closed to prevent miracles.

In the 18th century, Saint-Médard Cemetery becomes the stage for a phenomenon that intrigues as much as it unsettles Paris. Supposed healings, spells of convulsions, and religious fervor around the tomb of deacon François de Pâris eventually prompt Louis XV to close the site. A look back at the strange tale of the Convulsionnaires of Saint-Médard!

Did you know? This "esprit frappeur" from the Latin Quarter gave the Paris police a real run for their money.

In the summer of 1860, strange projectiles struck a dwelling on Rue des Noyers, near Rue de la Harpe in Paris. Soon the case fed the lead toward a mysterious poltergeist, with even the police dispatched to the scene said to have been targeted.

European Heritage Days 2026: tours and craftsmanship at the Monnaie de Paris

La Monnaie de Paris opens its doors to the public with a special program for Heritage Days, on 19 and 20 September 2026. Spanning its collections, craft métiers and currency production, the weekend invites visitors to discover this historic institution in a different light in Paris’s 6th arrondissement.

On this day in history: the cornerstone of the Arc de Triomphe was laid in Paris.

On August 15, 1806, the first stone of the Arc de Triomphe was laid, erected by order of Napoleon I to perpetuate the memory of the victories of the French armies. Here is the story of the moment that gave birth to one of Paris’s symbols.

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: Explore the Beautiful Saint-Laurent Church in Paris

For the new edition of Heritage Days in Paris, head to Saint-Laurent Church to discover this masterpiece of flamboyant Gothic right in the heart of the capital. On the program: guided tours of the building on Saturday, September 19 and Sunday, September 20, 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 2026: a magical stroll and fireworks

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.