For the Heritage Days 2026, Paris offers exceptional free tours and guided visits, and above all, they’re free. Historic monuments, museums and houses of worship open their doors and unveil their secrets to the curious. Case in point: the Saint-Nicolas du Chardonnet Church in the 5th arrondissement. Mark your calendar for Saturday, September 19 and Sunday, September 20, 2026 to discover this jewel of Parisian heritage.
Built in the Grand Siècle, decorated in part by Charles Le Brun, First Painter to King Louis XIV, and frequented by Saint Vincent de Paul, Saint Louise de Marillac and Saint François de Sales, theChurch of Saint-Nicolas du Chardonnet is home to several Christian art treasures.
Unlike other Parisian churches, l'Église Saint-Nicolas du Chardonnet, this church stands out for preserving a highly traditional, active community. Here the Mass is still celebrated entirely in Latin. The priests who celebrate belong to the Fraternity of Saint Peter, a dissident movement founded in 1970 by Monsignor Marcel Lefebvre, after the council of Vatican II.
A little anecdote about the name of the place: Chardonnet refers to thistles, which were once grown in abundance in this part of the town, as they were used for carding cloth (the process of aerating the fiber before weaving).
Guided tour of Saint-Nicolas du Chardonnet
Guided tours of Saint-Nicolas du Chardonnet church, with guides on hand at the entrance. Two tours are already scheduled for Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 3:30 p.m.
Terms of participation: Free | No reservation required
Hours: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 9:00 AM–12:00 PM, 2:30 PM–6:00 PM, 7:30 PM–8:30 PM | Sunday, September 20, 2026 — 3:30 PM–4:30 PM
Dates and Opening Time
From September 19, 2026 to September 20, 2026
Location
Church of Saint Nicolas du Chardonnet
23 Rue des Bernardins
75005 Paris 5
Route planner
Access
Metro Maubert Mutualité (line 10)
Prices
Free
Official website
www.saintnicolasduchardonnet.org
