Highlighting the invention of Braille and the lives of blind and visually impaired people... That’s the mission of the Valentin Haüy Museum which opens its doors for the 43rd edition of the Heritage Days. The event is back in Paris and the Île-de-France region on September 19–20, 2026. However, the museum will be accessible only on Saturday, September 19, 2026. Admission is free, and the visit is accessible to people with mobility impairments as well as to those with visual disability.
This museum, owned by the Valentin Haüy Association, traces the daily life of the blind and visually impaired across history. It weaves together issues like blindness and citizenship at the heart of the fight for the rights of the blind in France. The museum was founded by a blind man, Edgard Guilbeau, to showcase the invention of Braille and place it in its historical context. The collections are richly varied and are highlighted by Art Nouveau furniture, giving the room the atmosphere of a cabinet of curiosities.
Rare relief-print works, tactile guides and tablets, terrestrial globes, geography maps, calculating devices, early writing, typesetting and printing machines, etchings, photographs... A treasure trove of tools for tracing the history of Braille, of Valentin Haüy, founder of the first school for blind children, and of other figures who advanced the cause. In short, the perfect occasion to explore a little-known chapter of France’s history and that of our societies...
Discovering the Valentin Haüy Museum, dedicated to the history of the blind
What was happening in Paris for the visually impaired between 1786 and 1837? From Valentin Haüy to Louis Braille.
Participation requirements: Free | No reservation required
Hours: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
An exciting excursion to discover a little-known museum in Paris.
Dates and Opening Time
On September 19, 2026
Location
Valentin Haüy Museum
5, rue Duroc
75007 Paris 7
Route planner
Prices
Free
Official website
www.avh.asso.fr
