Heritage

Château de la Madeleine in Chevreuse, a Medieval Treasure in Ile-de-France

Available all year round, the Château de la Madeleine in Chevreuse, a medieval jewel in the Ile-de-France region, invites you to immerse yourself in history.

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.

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier: history and significance of this monument beneath the Arc de Triomphe

In the center of Paris, a place magnetized by history attracts glances as well as silence. Just beneath the Arc de Triomphe, a discreet but powerful symbol links the living to those never seen again. Few really know its origins, yet every evening, a flame watches over it tirelessly ...

Did you know? Only one vestige of the former Halles de Paris remains in Nogent-sur-Marne.

The sole survivor of the twelve iron and glass pavilions designed by Victor Baltard to modernize the commercial heart of Paris, No. 8 now stands in Nogent-sur-Marne. A precious testimony to the industrial architecture of the Second Empire, it has been enjoying a second life since 1976.

Paris: Le Défenseur du Temps, an astonishing automaton clock in the Horloge district of Paris

Ever heard of Le Défenseur du Temps in Paris? This historic automaton clock, recently renovated, awaits you in the Horloge district which gives it its name. Discover its history right up to the present day.

In the footsteps of André Le Nôtre in Paris and the Île-de-France region: the legacy of the famous gardener

From Vaux-le-Vicomte to Versailles, landscape gardener André Le Nôtre is responsible for some of the most famous gardens in the Paris region. We take you along in the footsteps of this famous botanical architect, to discover the places to visit in Paris and the Île-de-France region. We conquer the art of the French garden.

Carve your own bas-relief at an introductory stone-cutting workshop in the Marais.

In a workshop in the heart of the Marais district, learn the art of stone carving from passionate craftsman Grégory Philippe. In just two hours, become a builder for a day and leave with your own hand-carved bas-relief.

Did you know? Sainte-Geneviève, patron saint of Paris, saved the capital from invasion by the Huns!

An emblematic but often overlooked figure of the capital, Sainte Geneviève saved Lutetia from Attila's invasion in the 5th century. A true heroine whose imprint still marks the heights of Paris's 5th arrondissement!

Did you know? Avenue de l'Opéra is one of the only tree-free streets in Paris.

Avenue de l'Opéra has been completely deserted by greenery, and it's impossible to find a single tree... Why, then, was nature cast aside overnight in the middle of the 19th century?

Nuit des Musées 2025 at the Château de Versailles (78), the program on this royal estate

What to do for Nuit des Musées 2025 at the Château de Versailles? Here's what's in store for the 21st edition on May 17, 2025, in the heart of the Sun King's estate!

Where does the word Paname, the slang nickname for Paris, come from?

"Paname", the popular and affectionate nickname for Paris, has been intriguing people for over a century due to its widespread use, particularly in slang and artistic language. But what exactly is the origin of this surprising word, which is more reminiscent of Central America than of the French capital?

Why is rue du Poil-au-Con now called rue du Pélican in Paris?

In Paris, rue du Pélican, located in the 1st arrondissement, hides a sulphurous past: in the Middle Ages, it was called rue du Poil-au-Con, because prostitution was legalized under Saint-Louis. That's our story for today!

Who was Roland Garros, the man behind the name of the famous Paris stadium?

Roland Garros, aviator and aeronautics pioneer from Reunion Island, gave his name to the stadium that hosts the French Open tennis tournament. But who was he? We tell you his story.

Paris coat of arms: history and significance of the boat on the capital's coat of arms

Why is there a boat on the Paris coat of arms? If you're wondering, the editors of Sortiraparis may have the answer. History of the Paris coat of arms, from the seal of the water merchants to the motto "Fluctuat nec mergitur"... We tell you all!

Hôtel de Magny: the oldest building in the Jardin des Plantes, a mansion worth saving

Many historic monuments in Paris are in need of restoration, as is the case of the Hôtel de Magny, formerly a history cabinet belonging to the Muséum national d'histoire naturelle, in the heart of the Jardin des Plantes.

Château de Versailles: discover General de Gaulle's apartments in a Trianon wing

After opening the Salle du Congrès and the apartment of the President of the Congress to the public, the Château de Versailles is now unveiling the apartments of General de Gaulle in the Trianon-sous-Bois wing, from April 5, 2025.

Did you know? Île-de-France isn't an island... but it's close!

Is Île-de-France really an island without a sea? Take an express dive into the history and mysteries of the name that shapes the identity of France's most effervescent region.

La Nuit des Monuments: the program for discovering France's heritage by night

Nuit des Monuments takes place this year from May 1 to 3, 2025. Following on from the Nuit des Châteaux and the Nuit des Musées, this is a new event that you're sure to love, allowing you to discover France's heritage, sometimes exceptionally open at night! Île-de-France and the French regions will be illuminated, so discover the places that are opening up to us for this first edition, and don't forget to book as soon as possible.

Did you know? The Bièvre, a Parisian river, still flows beneath the cobblestones of the capital.

Once upon a time, a river flowed through the 5th and 13th arrondissements of Paris for all to see. It became too polluted in the 19th century, and is now buried beneath the cobblestones of the capital, but continues to flow beneath our feet, deeply hidden.

Notre-Dame de Paris, how to win a piece of the cathedral for a good cause

The Fondation du Patrimoine, one of the main funders of the restoration of Notre-Dame de Paris, is launching an exceptional competition. Participants have the unique opportunity to win an authentic stone from the cathedral, taken from the elements that could not be reintegrated after the fire in 2019. The competition, open from March 4 to April 4, 2025, aims to raise funds for religious heritage.