For the 42nd Journées du Patrimoine, visit to discover the jewels of France's heritage, on September 20 and 21, 2025. This cultural event allows us to explore the monuments and historic buildings close to home. And it often costs us nothing! More than 1,500 sites in Paris and the Île-de-France region are taking part. How about discovering these fabulous places? Now's your chance!
Heritage Days 2025 in Val de Marne (94): cultural treasures to visit this weekend
The Journées du Patrimoine return to the Val de Marne this weekend of September 20 and 21, 2025. For the occasion, the many castles and museums of the Val-de-Marne open their doors to us for guided tours, workshops and original events! [Read more]
The Val-de-Marne is taking part in this great celebration of history and culture, over the weekend of September 20 and 21, 2025. If you live in the département, you'll have plenty to do! Museums, churches, châteaux, old buildings, gardens... The list goes on! But don't forget to add a detour to Nogent-sur-Marne to your weekend program.
The Pavillon Baltard is a jewel to be rediscovered at every opportunity. Originally installed in the heart of Paris, in Châtelet, the building was completely dismantled and reassembled in Nogent-sur-Marne to be saved. Why was this? It was one of ten iron, cast-iron and glass pavilions designed byarchitect Victor Baltard to house the Halles centrales de Paris in Châtelet. Today, this historic building hosts numerous public and private events, including gala evenings, television programs and trade shows. It opens to the public on rare occasions, including the Journées du Patrimoine.
The Pavillon Baltard opens its doors to the public, offering a unique opportunity to discover the Gaumont-Palace cinema organ.
VISITS AND DISCOVERY OF THE CHRISTIE ORGAN
2pm > Musical welcome.
2.05pm > History of the Pavillon Baltard, from early 20th-century Paris to modern-day Nogent, by Vincent Villette, Director of the Musée Intercommunal de Nogent.
2.25pm > History of the Gaumont-Palace organ, by Eric Cordé, a passionate Christie organist. Accompanied by his personal photos and archive documents, he will retrace the epic story of this majestic instrument.
The Pavillon Baltard opens its doors to the public, offering a unique opportunity to discover the Gaumont-Palace cinema organ.
SCREENING, TESTIMONIAL AND DEMONSTRATION
2:35pm > Screening of the documentary Un quart d'heure d'entracte. This short film by Tommy Desserre (1907-1989), shot shortly before the Gaumont-Palace was demolished in 1972, tells the story of the vanished profession of cinema organist.
3:50 pm >Testimony ofAlain Villain on the rescue of the Christie organ. When the Gaumont-Palace closed in 1970, filmmaker Alain Villain rescued the organ from the dumpster, had it dismantled and stored. In 1976, it was sold at auction. To prevent it going abroad, it was listed as a historic monument. At the instigation of Roland Nungesser, then mayor of Nogent, the organ was bought at auction for 200,000 francs.
4.10pm > Organ demonstrations: playing, percussion and sound effects.
The Pavillon Baltard opens its doors to the public, offering a unique opportunity to discover the Gaumont-Palace cinema organ.
CINÉ-CONCERT AND VISIT TO THE CHRISTIE ORGAN
4:30 pm > Screening of Buster Keaton's silent short The Scarecrow.
Buster and Roberts, who share a room, use an infinite number of ingenious systems to save space and time in their daily lives.
4:45pm > Visit the interior of the organ with organists Eric Cordé and Marc Pinardel.
Organist at Notre-Dame de Grâce de Passy (75016), Marc Pinardel is organist at the Gaumont-Palace in Pavillon Baltard, in charge of the improvisation course for agrégatifs at the Sorbonne. He teaches organ and improvisation at the Conservatoire de Saint-Maurice (94).
Happy Heritage Days in Val-de-Marne!
Dates and Opening Time
On September 20, 2025
Location
Pavillon Baltard
12, avenue Victor Hugo
94130 Nogent sur Marne
Prices
Free
Official website
www.pavillonbaltard.fr
Heritage Days 2025 in Val de Marne (94): cultural treasures to visit this weekend
