Journées du Patrimoine 2025 in Paris: visit the Maison d'Ourscamp in the heart of the marshes

For the 42nd edition of the Journées du patrimoine in Paris, we're discovering some of the capital's still-secret places. For example, have you heard of the Maison d'Ourscamp, also known as the Maison de l'ours? No ? Well, chances are you've already walked past it, as it's located in the heart of the Marais, on rue François Miron. So head to the 4th arrondissement to discover the Maison de l'Ours, with its Renaissance façade and basement dating back to the 13th century.

For Heritage Days 2025, Maison d'Ourscamp is offering free guided tours on Saturday September 20 and Sunday September 21.

Here's what's in store for you during the JEP 2025:

• Guided tour of the Maison d'Ourscamp
  Saturday, September 20, 2025 - 11:00 ⤏ 18:00 | Sunday, September 21, 2025 - 11:00 ⤏ 18:00
  

  This house was originally a Parisian possession of the Cistercian abbey of Ourscamp in the Oise region. The only remaining evidence of this period is a mid-13th-century cellar in the basement, comprising three rib-vaulted naves supported by six pillars with geometric capitals. One of the side walls houses a staircase set into the thickness of the masonry. It was only later, in 1585, that the two houses with their symmetrical ashlar facades were built. They feature Renaissance-style dormers with pilasters and triglyphs. These residences, specimens of Parisian rental architecture under Henri III, are distributed around a courtyard with exposed half-timbering, from which lead timber-framed staircases with rampant and turned balusters. Home to the Association pour la sauvegarde et de la mise en valeur du Paris historique, this house was saved from demolition by the association's volunteers, who are continuing its restoration.

  
  
  

Le programme est mis à jour en fonction des annonces officielles.

• To be read
• Journées du Patrimoine 2025: the full program for this year's event in Paris and the Île-de-France region
• This Week’s Best Deals in Paris and Île-de-France, December 29, 2025 – January 4, 2026

Originally, in the 13th century, this house belonged to the Cistercian abbey ofOurscamp, in the Oise region. The original basement cellar can still be seen, arranged around three rib-vaulted naves, falling on six pillars adorned with geometric capitals. One of the side walls even houses a staircase set into the thickness of the masonry. The symmetrical ashlar facades of the two houses date from the late 16th century. They feature Renaissance-style dormers with pilasters and triglyphs.

Destined for demolition at the beginning of the 20th century due to insalubrity, the Maison de l'Ours was saved in extremis by the Paris historique association, which has now set up quarters there. A great family visit for the 2025 Heritage Days.