Journées du Patrimoine 2026 à l'École nationale vétérinaire de Maisons-Alfort (94) Heritage Days 2026 at the National Veterinary School of Maisons-Alfort (94)

Looking for a visit that goes off the beaten path for the Heritage Days? To mark the 43rd edition of this European cultural event, the École nationale vétérinaire d’Alfort and the Fragonard Museum of the Veterinary School invite you to discover their history and facilities, on September 19 and 20, 2026. The institution, whose main campus is in Maisons-Alfort, is among the most prestigious veterinary schools in France.

Created in 1766 by architect Jacques-Germain Soufflot, the school covers a surface area of 12 hectares and includes the Fragonard Museum, with one of the world's most impressive veterinary collections, and a botanical garden designated a "Remarkable Garden".

Seven of the buildings on the site were listed as historic monuments in 1992. Today, the school is home to over 800 students and 80 teaching and research staff. This exceptional site is opening its doors to us once again this year, for the Journées du Patrimoine, an opportunity to learn more about the history of the site and discover one of the oldest schools in the Île-de-France region.

• To be read
• This week's top picks for August 17–23, 2026 in Paris and Île-de-France

For a weekend, visit this historic building and discover the various activities planned especially for the Val-de-Marne Heritage Days:

• Guided tours of the "260 Years of Alfort" exhibition

  Discover the exhibition "260 Years of Alfort". Step into how the campus and the school have evolved in the face of history's upheavals.

  Participation requirements: Free | No reservation required

  Hours: Saturday, September 19, 2026 – 10:00 AM–6:00 PM | Sunday, September 20, 2026 – 10:00 AM–6:00 PM

• Guided tour of the campus

  Veterinary students take you on a tour of the rich history of the Alfort National Veterinary School.

  Participation terms: 25 people per group — Free | Booking required — https://my.weezevent.com/journees-du-patrimoine-enva-2026-visite-guidee-du-campus?_gl=11df1a4igclau*MTQxODEyNTYzOS4xNzgxNzY4MDAyLjIwODUwMzgyMzMuMTc4MTc2ODAyMC4xNzgxNzY4MTA4*_gaMzE1NTgwMjk5LjE3ODE3NjgwMDM._ga_39H9VBFX7G*czE3ODI0Njg0MjMkbzEwJGcxJHQxNzgyNDY4NDU1JGoyOCRsMCRoNDM5ODYyODgx

  Hours: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 10:00–11:00, 11:00–12:00, 14:00–15:00, 15:30–16:30, 17:00–18:00 | Sunday, September 20, 2026 — 10:00–11:00, 11:00–12:00, 14:00–15:00, 15:30–16:30, 17:00–18:00

• Visit to the Fragonard Museum

  Skeletons, organs, flayed figures...

  4,200 pieces on display in the cases!

  Unconventional collections dedicated to animals and their anatomy.

  Participation requirements: Free | No reservation required

  Hours: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 10:00–12:30, 14:00–18:00 | Sunday, September 20, 2026 — 10:00–12:30, 14:00–18:00

• A guided tour of the library at the National Veterinary School of Maisons-Alfort

  Guided tour of the library, featuring EnvA's rare antique books from its collection, presented in a timeless setting.

  Participation terms: 20 spots per tour - Free | Booking required - http://urlr.me/ZJjHpN

  Hours: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 11:00–11:45, 14:00–14:45, 16:30–17:15

• Guided tour of the botanical garden

  Guided tour of the botanical garden to explore the benefits of plants.

  Participation terms: 40 spots per tour - Free | Reservations required - http://urlr.me/vvnyYW

  Schedule: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 2:30 PM ⤏ 3:30 PM, 4:00 PM ⤏ 5:00 PM | Sunday, September 20, 2026 — 2:30 PM ⤏ 3:30 PM, 4:00 PM ⤏ 5:00 PM

• Conference with Christophe Degueurce and François Vallet, co-star of "Caring for Animals: A History of Veterinary Medicine in France"

  Conference: "The History of Veterinary Medicine"

  By Christophe Degueurce, former director of the National Veterinary School of Alfort — from 2017 to 2026 — professor of animal anatomy and curator of the Fragonard Museum, and François Vallet, who graduated in 1971 from the National Veterinary School of Lyon, practiced from 1973 to 2012, and holds a PhD in history.

  Co-author of "Caring for Animals: The History of Veterinary Medicine in France."

  Participation conditions: Free admission, subject to capacity - Free | Booking required - http://urlr.me/Kf3Qxk

  Times: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM

For more great ideas for outings and unusual discoveries, check out our special selections.

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To make the most of Heritage Days in Paris and Île-de-France, here are 10 can't-miss tips for this weekend, Saturday, September 19 and Sunday, September 20, 2026! [Read more]

Heritage Days 2026 in Val-de-Marne (94): cultural treasures to discover
Heritage Days are back on 19 and 20 September 2026 in Val-de-Marne. To mark the occasion, the region’s numerous castles and museums will throw open their doors for guided tours, workshops and brand-new activities. [Read more]