Take a fresh look at Oriental languages... This is what theInstitut national des langues et civilisations orientales has in store for you for the 42nd Journées du Patrimoine (Heritage Days) on September 20 and 21, 2025.
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?
For over two centuries, France has had a unique institution, open to all, dedicated to learning the languages and civilizations of the five continents. The École spéciale des langues orientales, now known as the Institut national des langues et civilisations orientales (Inalco), was founded in 1795. At the time, it was a new type of school, public and free, dedicated to the teaching of modern languages of public and commercial utility. At the beginning of the 19th century, around ten languages were taught, compared with around a hundred today.
Built in 1716, the Hôtel de Bernage housed several successive tenants, before being transferred to the École in 1873, which adapted it to its new functions. The architect Louis Faure-Dujarric took great care in the interior design, which featured numerous orientalist references.
Today, Inalco, also known as "Langues O'", offers a unique expertise in languages and societies based on centuries of experience. No other institution or country offers such a diversity of courses, such openness and such a wealth of knowledge. The institution is a key player in the promotion and preservation of the world's languages and civilizations.
On the occasion of the European Heritage Days, Inalco's Maison de la Recherche will exceptionally open its doors to the public, who will be able to discover various heritage treasures and enjoy a free, documented tour retracing the singular history of this establishment, renovated in 2019. Several architectural elements, including the floor mosaics, the monumental staircase and the moldings and medallions in the historic salons, have been awarded the "Heritage of Regional Interest" label by the Île-de-France Region in 2020. Visitors will also have the opportunity to consult the volumes of the Description de l'Égypte held at the Inalco, a monumental work resulting from Napoleon's military campaign in Egypt.
In parallel with the tours, Inalco's student associations will be offering calligraphy workshops in South Asian and Arabic alphabets. Speed searching - short presentations of research topics for the general public - will be given by 4 doctoral students.
Inalco's Maison de la Recherche will be open to the public on Saturday September 20 from 1pm to 6pm (last admission at 5:30pm). Admission is free of charge.
On the occasion of the European Heritage Days, four Inalco doctoral students from the Experimentarium program invite you to discover research in a different way. These short, interactive encounters provide an opportunity to grasp the diversity and richness of the research being carried out at Inalco today.
Since January 2025, Inalco has been part of the Experimentarium network, a national scheme to introduce PhD students to scientific mediation. This program was born in Burgundy twenty years ago and is now booming. It invites young researchers to go beyond the academic realm to meet a variety of audiences and share their scientific approach in a simple, lively and interactive way.
To mark the European Heritage Days, Inalco's student associations invite you to discover the richness and diversity of writing through two calligraphy workshops.
The Chaïstani association will be immersing you in South Asian alphabets: Urdu, Telugu, Tamil, Bengali and Devanagari (used for Hindi, Marathi and Nepali).
The Assila association will present the art of Arabic calligraphy, a living heritage rich in meaning and tradition.
These workshops offer a glimpse of the linguistic and cultural wealth taught at Inalco.
Dates and Opening Time
On September 20, 2025
Location
National Institute of Oriental Languages and Civilizations
2 Rue de Lille
75007 Paris 7
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.
