Heritage Days 2026: Guided tour to discover the Comédie-Française

Ready to dive into a lively, cultural weekend? This September, Parisians and residents of Île-de-France will be able to discover, for free, the finest museums, buildings, and other institutions of the capital, as part of the 43rd edition of Heritage Days. If you’re a theatre aficionado, head to the Comédie-Française, which invites you exceptionally to uncover the history and secrets of this iconic Parisian institution, on 19 and 20 September 2026.

• To be read
• Top picks for the week of August 24–30, 2026 in Paris and Île-de-France

This building in the 1st arrondissement of Paris is an Italian-style theater built by Victor Louis between 1786 and 1790, in the Salle Richelieu of the Palais-Royal. The Troupe de la Comédie-Française, founded in 1680 at the Hôtel de Guénégaud, moved here in 1799. The theater underwent several transformations, in 1822, from 1860 to 1864, and again after a fire in 1900. Today, this cultural institution still shines with plays performed in the purest tradition.

A little anecdote: the theater is nicknamed "La Maison de Molière" (the House of Molière), as he was once considered the institution's "patron". Yet the famous playwright had been dead for seven years when the first troupe of the Comédie-Française was created... The chair in which Molière died on stage is on display here, at the back of the bust gallery. A great opportunity to discover this legendary piece of furniture!

Heritage Days 2026: architectural gems to visit in Paris and the Île-de-France region
The European Heritage Days unfold over the weekend of Saturday, September 19 and Sunday, September 20, 2026, in Paris and Île-de-France. Attention, architecture fans: this is the perfect chance to uncover the secrets of the Paris region’s most surprising monuments through architectural tours. [Read more]

Journées du Patrimoine 2026: tours of Parisian theatres and performing arts venues
During the European Heritage Days in Paris and Île-de-France, theatres and performance venues open their doors for free to give us a behind-the-scenes look. See you on Saturday, 19 September and Sunday, 20 September 2026. [Read more]

Heads up, the spots are limited, so you’ll need to be quick to register. Also note that the tour is paid and offered at a preferential rate for the event.

The program for this year’s Heritage Days 2026

• Guided tour through the history of the Opera

  Discover more than three centuries of Opera history in Paris through our guided stroll, savoring the beauty of both the tangible heritage (architecture) and the intangible (music). As we wander the streets of Paris, we uncover the lyrical houses of yesterday and today, those abandoned ones and those where melodies still echo today. The itinerary brings stories and anecdotes from great composers and musicians, political intrigues and passions, as well as the musical refinements that make this unique genre so rich. Photos and sounds accompany the journey to illustrate this lyrical promenade.

  Outdoor-only stroll

  Meet in front of the main entrance of the Comédie-Française theatre

  1 Place Colette, 75001 Paris

  Participation terms: Flat rate €10. Outdoor stroll only. Meet-up in front of the main entrance of the Comédie-Française Theatre, 1 Place Colette, 75001 Paris. - Special rate | Booking required - https://exploreparis.com/fr/7903-paris-la-capitale-de-lopera-la-balade-a-travers-lhistoire-dart-lyrique.html

  Schedule: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM | Sunday, September 20, 2026 — 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM

Le programme est mis à jour en fonction des annonces officielles.