Discovering Oriental languages in a new light... That’s what the Institut national des langues et civilisations orientales offers in Paris, on the occasion of the 43rd edition of Heritage Days, which will take place on September 19 and 20, 2026.
The Institut national des langues et civilisations orientales, or Inalco, was founded in 1795. Its main mission is to preserve Oriental languages and civilizations while continuing to teach them. Commissioned by the Marquis de Bacqueville in 1716, the building has been renovated and enlarged several times, and today still houses the Maison de la recherche de l'Inalco.
Formerly known as the École spéciale des langues orientales, the institution's mission is to teach living oriental languages. At the beginning of the 19th century, around ten languages were taught here, compared with around a hundred today. For the Journées du Patrimoine, you are invited to discover the premises through a special program. It's an opportunity to learn all about Oriental languages, from Russian to Oceanic, including Vietnamese, Burmese, Japanese and Mongolian, as well as their civilizations. Shall we go, friends?
Self-guided tour of INALCO's historic site
For more than two centuries, France has housed a unique, accessible institution dedicated to learning languages and the civilizations of the five continents. The École spéciale des langues orientales, today known as the Institut national des langues et civilisations orientales (Inalco), was founded in 1795. It was then a new kind of public, free school focused on teaching living languages of public and commercial utility. At the start of the 19th century, about ten languages were taught; today there are around a hundred.
The theme “Heritage at Risk: revive, resist, reimagine” for the 43rd edition of European Heritage Days resonates with this grand townhouse, built in 1716. After housing several tenants, the Hôtel de Bernage was allocated to the École des langues orientales in 1873, which adapted it to its new functions. Architect Louis Faure-Dujarric paid meticulous attention to the interior decoration, enriching it with numerous orientalist references.
Visitors will be able to explore this singular building, rich in patrimonial treasures, and enjoy a self-guided, documented tour recounting the institution’s distinctive history, renovated in 2019. Several architectural features—such as the floor mosaics, the grand staircase, and the moldings and medallions in the historic salons—have earned the “Regional Heritage Interest” label from the Île-de-France region in 2020. Among the highlights, the public will have the chance to consult the volumes of the Description of Egypt kept at Inalco, a monumental work arising from Napoleon Bonaparte’s Egyptian campaign.
Inalco, also known as “Langues O’,” today offers a unique expertise in languages and societies rooted in a long tradition. No other institution or country provides such diversity of courses, openness, and depth of knowledge. The institution is a key player in promoting and safeguarding the world’s languages and civilizations.
In parallel with the tours, one of Inalco’s student associations will run an Arab alphabet calligraphy workshop from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. A Speed Searching—short presentations of research topics for a general audience—will be carried out by several doctoral students throughout the afternoon.
The Inalco Research House will be open to the public on Saturday, September 19, from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. (last entries at 5:30 p.m.). Admission is free and open to all.
Participation conditions : Free admission, subject to strong turnout. - Free | No reservation
Schedule: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Speed searching — Meeting INALCO's PhD students
Throughout the afternoon, on the occasion of European Heritage Days, a group of INALCO PhD students trained in the Experimentarium program invites you to discover research in a different light. These short, interactive sessions are as many chances to glimpse the diversity and richness of the work being done at INALCO today.
Since January 2025, INALCO has joined the Experimentarium network, a national initiative that introduces PhD students to science communication. Born in Burgundy twenty years ago, the program is now thriving. It invites young researchers to step outside the academic setting, reach out to varied audiences, and share—in a simple, lively, and interactive way—their scientific approach.
Participation conditions: Free, no reservation required. Last entry at 5:30 PM. - Free | No reservation required
Schedule: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Calligraphy workshop hosted by an Inalco student association
From 2:00 to 3:30 PM, the student association Assila invites you to explore the richness of scripts through a hands-on calligraphy workshop. The session will showcase the art of Arabic calligraphy, a living heritage rich in meaning and tradition. It will offer a window into the linguistic and cultural wealth taught at Inalco!
Free workshop, no registration required, subject to availability.
Participation conditions: Free of charge, no reservation required. - Free
Times: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM
Dates and Opening Time
On September 19, 2026
Location
National Institute of Oriental Languages and Civilizations
2 Rue de Lille
75007 Paris 7
Route planner
Access
Metro line 1 station "Palais Royal - Musée du Louvre", line 12 station "Solférino".
Prices
Free
Official website
www.inalco.fr
More information
Open from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
