Heritage Days 2025 at the Institut de France in Paris: exceptional opening

Do you know theInstitut de France? This institution, hidden away in a magnificent building in the 6th arrondissement of Paris, is largely unknown to the general public. Yet this society, which brings together the country's scientific, literary and artistic elite, was founded in 1795!

Culture at its best... This is what theInstitut de France has to offer, an establishment whose mission is to provide the five Academies (French, Sciences, Fine Arts, Moral and Political Sciences) with a harmonious framework within which to work on perfecting their respective fields.

Want to find out more? Take advantage of the Journées du Patrimoine to discover this unique institution. On the weekend of Saturday September 20 and Sunday September 21, 2025, the Institut de France opens its doors to visitors free of charge.

Journées du Patrimoine: history, dates and 2025 theme of this not-to-be-missed cultural event
The European Heritage Days return on Saturday September 20 and Sunday September 21, 2025, with a new theme. Although the cultural event is celebrating its 42nd edition this year, few people actually know the origins of this essential back-to-school event. We'd like to tell you about the history of the Journées du Patrimoine, created in 1984 by the French Ministry of Culture. [Read more]

Journées du Patrimoine 2025 in Paris (75): full schedule of visits by arrondissement
For the Journées du Patrimoine 2025 in Paris, the capital's historic and artistic monuments and landmarks are opening their doors (often free of charge) to let us in on their secrets. Don't miss this not-to-be-missed event, scheduled for the weekend of September 20 and 21, 2025, on the theme of "Architectural Heritage". [Read more]

Journées du Patrimoine 2025 in Paris: must-see openings and exceptional tours
The Journées du Patrimoine 2025 in Paris is also an opportunity to discover places that are usually closed to the public. We've put together a list of places that will be opening their doors to the public on the weekend of September 20 and 21, 2025. [Read more]

• To be read
• The Institut de France, the cultural center with its 5 academies at the end of the Pont des Arts
• Journées du Patrimoine: history, dates and 2025 theme of this not-to-be-missed cultural event
• Journées du Patrimoine 2025 in Paris (75): full schedule of visits by arrondissement

Created in 1795, theInstitut de France is housed in the Palais du quai de Conti, which occupies the former Collège des Quatre Nations. Founded between 1662 and 1688 by Cardinal Mazarin, it also manages four research libraries: the Mazarine Library, the Institute Library, the Fondation Dosne-Bibliothèque Thiers Library and the Musée Condé Library in Chantilly.

Find out more about the history of this institution, its architecture, its dome, its grand auditorium and its missions during the Heritage Days open house. You can visit the monument freely, and even meet the academicians who will be signing their books.

Journées du Patrimoine 2025 at the Institut de France in Paris, the program

• Institut de France open house
  Saturday, September 20, 2025 - 09:00 ⤏ 18:00 | Sunday, September 21, 2025 - 09:00 ⤏ 17:30
  

  For the 42nd edition of the European Heritage Days, organized on the theme of "architectural heritage", the Institut de France is opening its doors to reveal all the historic areas of its Palais, many of which are usually closed to the public.

  Visitors will discover the Mazarine and Institut de France libraries, the two academicians' meeting rooms and the Cupola, the most symbolic place of the Institut and the companies it houses: the Académie française, the Académie des inscriptions et belles-lettres, the Académie des sciences, the Académie des beaux-arts and the Académie des sciences morales et politiques. The history and life of the five academies will be presented through an immersive and intuitive tour. Numerous academicians will be on hand to sign their works and talk to the public on a wide range of subjects, reflecting the diversity of their specialties.

  The event will also highlight the actions and resources offered by the Institut: France Mémoire, the mission in charge of national commemorations, the Institut's podcast platform with its thousands of audio programs, and the Librairie de l'Institut located on the forecourt of the Palais, a stone's throw from the Coupole. For families, a booklet-game will be distributed to children.

  At the end of this rich itinerary, visitors will be able to visit the Académie des Beaux-Arts exhibition at the Pavillon Comtesse de Caen, entitled "Trémois, l'anatomie du trait". Featuring some sixty works by Pierre-Yves Trémois (1921-2020), a former member of the Académie des Beaux-Arts' engraving and drawing section, this retrospective is an invitation to rediscover his world, dive into his dazzling graphic style and measure the scope of his legacy.