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.
That is especially true in Bourg-la-Reine. This town in the Hauts-de-Seine region is home to numerous sites of interest, including the Maison des Sœurs de Notre-Dame-du-Calvaire, the Villa Hennebique, the Villa Saint-Cyr... Not to mention the air-raid shelter. This World War II relic will be open to visitors free of charge on the weekend of 19 and 20 September 2026, as part of the 42nd Heritage Days.
A Tour of a World War II Air-Raid Shelter
### Visit to a World War II air-raid shelter
### Discovered in 2015, this shelter was built in 1939 to protect residents in the event of an air raid. After restoration, part of the shelter is open for visits.
This shelter stands as a singular testament to civilian life during the war. Built to shield the 400 children of Bourg-la-Reine’s only school from bombardments, the shelter follows a so-called staircase-like layout—a corridor broken by right-angled turns to blunt the blast effects. It adheres to passive defense guidelines laid out by the French government even before the war.
An introductory exhibition outlining the shelter’s construction and the local context accompanies the self-guided tour.
Participation requirements: For safety reasons, groups of 20 will be formed. Free | No reservation required
Hours: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM | Sunday, September 20, 2026 — 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Exhibition accompanying a tour of a World War II air-raid shelter
### Exhibition accompanying a visit to a World War II air-raid shelter
### Discovered in 2015, this shelter was built in 1939 to safeguard the population during air-raid alerts. After restoration, a portion of the shelter is now open for visitors.
This shelter stands as a singular testament to civilian life under the war. Built to shield the 400 children of Bourg-la-Reine's only school from bombardments, the shelter follows a so-called sawtooth layout, in line with passive defense guidelines issued by the French government even before the war: a corridor broken by right angles to dampen the effects of blasts.
A supporting exhibition recounting the construction of the shelter and the local context precedes the self-guided visit.
Participation requirements: For safety reasons, groups of 20 people will be formed. - 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
An unusual and historic visit, not to be missed this September.
Dates and Opening Time
From September 19, 2026 to September 20, 2026
Location
World War II air-raid shelter
14 Boulevard Carnot
92340 Bourg la Reine
Route planner
Prices
Free
Official website
www.bourg-la-reine.fr
