The Journées du Patrimoine is one of Europe's biggest cultural events of the year. This annual event gives the general public the chance to visit thousands of artistic, historical, political or religious sites close to home: for an entire weekend, museums, castles, institutions, places of power, churches, department stores... welcome visitors of all kinds. And best of all, these open houses are often free!
As you've probably guessed, these events are the perfect opportunity to discover the heritage treasures that surround us, or to visit places that are usually closed to the public. Through these monuments and buildings, we often learn more about thehistory of the town or region in which we find ourselves.
This is particularly true of Bourg-la-Reine. This Hauts-de-Seine commune is home to many places of interest, including the Maison des Sœurs de Notre-Dame-du-Calvaire, the Villa Hennebique, the Villa Saint-Cyr... Or theair-raid shelter. This relic of the Second World War will be open to visitors free of charge on the weekend of September 20 and 21, 2025, to mark the 42nd Journées du Patrimoine.
Visit a World War II air-raid shelter.
Discovered in 2015, this shelter was built in 1939 to protect the population in the event of an air raid. After restoration, part of the shelter is now open to visitors.
This shelter is a singular testimony to the living conditions of civilians during the war. Built to protect the 400 children of Bourg-la-Reine's only school from bombardment, the shelter follows a "rack and pinion" layout, in line with the passive defense recommendations issued by the French government before the war: a corridor broken by right angles to attenuate the effects of bombs.
A supporting exhibition presenting the history of the shelter's construction and the local context precedes the self-guided tour.
Exhibition accompanying a visit to a World War II air-raid shelter
Discovered in 2015, this shelter was built in 1939 to protect the population in the event of an air raid. After restoration, part of the shelter is now open to visitors.
This shelter is a singular testimony to the living conditions of civilians during the war. Built to protect the 400 children of Bourg-la-Reine's only school from bombardment, the shelter follows a "rack and pinion" layout, in line with the passive defense recommendations issued by the French government before the war: a corridor broken by right angles to attenuate the effects of bombs.
A supporting exhibition presenting the history of the shelter's construction and the local context precedes the self-guided tour.
An unusual and historic visit, not to be missed this September.
Dates and Opening Time
From September 20, 2025 to September 21, 2025
Location
World War II air-raid shelter
14 Boulevard Carnot
92340 Bourg la Reine
Prices
Free
Official website
www.bourg-la-reine.fr
