Every year, a sense of curiosity and wonder spreads across France thanks to the Journées du Patrimoine... These unique days invite us to revisit our roots, open doors that are often closed, and embrace the rich heritage that surrounds us. And for this 2025 edition, held over the weekend of September 20 and 21, it's time to rediscover our national treasures.
Nestled in the heart of the Val-d'Oise, Pontoise is a city of art and history. Its picturesque alleyways, half-timbered houses and ramparts bear witness to its rich medieval past. But that's not all: Pontoise is also a city of painters! Renowned artists such as Camille Pissarro were captivated by its beauty, leaving a priceless artistic legacy to the city.
In addition to its architectural and artistic heritage, Pontoise comes alive with a host of activities for the whole family: workshops, guided tours, exhibitions... A real cultural immersion awaits you, all in a festive and friendly atmosphere. Pontoise opens its arms to you, ready to reveal its thousand and one secrets for the Journées du Patrimoine!
Heritage Days 2024 in Cergy (95), places of interest to discover
During the Journées du Patrimoine 2024, Cergy reveals its medieval history and modern urbanity. Discover the secrets of this Val-d'Oise town, its monuments, and enjoy unique cultural events. [Read more]
Come and have fun discovering the history of Pontoise. For the whole family!
Dominated by a majestic flamboyant Gothic façade, the cathedral retains traces of its early Romanesque architecture.
Subject to church service on Sundays from 10:30am to 12pm.
Guided tours by a Tourist Office guide every 30 minutes. Saturday, 2 pm to 6 pm and Sunday, 1 pm to 5 pm. No reservation required.
Tour of the sacristy by the sexton.
Dominated by a majestic flamboyant Gothic façade, the cathedral retains traces of its early Romanesque architecture.
Discover the treasures of the Sacristy!
Climb the bell tower for an exceptional panoramic view.
Please note: 175 steps up and then down a narrow spiral staircase. Not suitable for people with reduced mobility or vertigo.
Saturday, 2pm to 5:30pm and Sunday, 1pm to 5pm.
Please note, places are very limited. Free and by reservation only: 01 30 73 90 77 (Wednesday to Sunday) or [musee](mailto:musee@ville-pontoise.fr).
Atelier " Petite académie de peinture ", painting workshop on the motif by Fabrik Nature. Free admission.
Grand concert by the Rocamadour Sacred Music Foundation, in partnership with the Fondation du Patrimoine. The musicians will perform works by Johann Sebastian Bach, among others.
Saturday, September 20, 8.30pm.
Free admission, subject to availability.
The association les Heures musicales presents an organ concert by Philippe Bardon.
The Moineaux cellar is cross-vaulted. A former network of quarries dug between the 12th and 15th centuries, its Gothic hall and vaulted staircases are used for film shoots.
Open for guided tours from 2 pm to 6 pm.
Tours every 30 minutes
This 2-storey former quarry is one of the largest in the historic center, with its famous Gothic hall featuring ribbed vaults.
This exceptionally open cellar has just been restored by its owners.
The property was occupied at the end of the Ancien Régime by Paul-François Pihan de la Forest, subdelegate of Pontoise. It is one of the most interesting underground buildings in Pontoise: on 3 levels, discover its beautiful ribbed vaults, 6m high, 50 m2 room and magnificent staircase.
This magnificent 2-storey cellar, recently restored by its owners, now houses an art exhibition gallery. This year, you can discover sculptures by Denise BRIMSON, paintings byHélène LEGRAND andUte Hadam, and photographs by Jacques Paray.
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Jacques Paray
As a photographer since the late 70s, I've never stopped responding to the demands of my clients, while at the same time indulging myself with images gleaned here and there. My instinct is to seek out the teasing image, the symbolic image, the poetic image, the image as a story, even the pareidolia in image.
This time I present my new series, a sort of anti "nose in the air", consisting of photos of shadows taken in New York, Melbourne and Paris.
Hélène Legrand
To contemplate is to restore our closeness to a world that otherwise becomes opaque, fractured and atomized. Painting is a place of embodiment and connection, not a mere tool of representation, a prelude to monopolizing the world and taking it over. Hélène Legrand always opens up several avenues for the eye to explore. Her figuration is never closed, leaving us free to roam. The painter invites the viewer to be co-creator, in the sense of co-born, the one who is born with it. What could be more contemporary than a painting that generates itself as you look at it?
Christine Sourgins, Art critic, Art historian
Denise Brimson
Everything I try to express revolves around this deep sense of interaction between species, worlds, lives... The plant world behind my evocative silhouettes intertwines with the animal world (and, in short, the human world), all sharing the same destiny, undergoing Nature's laws on a written, inescapable curve.
Ute Hadam
A dominant cameo of color, enhanced by subtle collages of marouflaged paper, suggests the subject.
Whether it's a nude, a still life or any other motif, lurking in the play of fluid curves, it emerges sculptural.
The characteristics of his style reveal an incessant search for rhythm in composition, structuring space according to his own intuition.
Each work emanates an atmosphere imbued with gaiety and refinement.
Ute Hadam has achieved international renown, confirmed by numerous prizes and awards.
Jean-Louis AVRIL, Univers des Arts
Cité Judiciaire
Accompanied by a lawyer from the Pontoise bar, take a behind-the-scenes look at one of the department's major courts.
Please bring identification.
Limited number of places, booking essential.
Stephanie Von Euw, Mayor of Pontoise, will welcome you to her office on Sunday from 3:30 to 4:30 pm.
In the Hôtel-de-Ville courtyard.
2pm-2.45pm: Sophie Legris school concert
2:45pm-3:30pm: At your desks
3:30 - 4:15 pm: Jazzimuth
As part of the "Journées européennes du patrimoine" (European Heritage Days), the association "Culture et Patrimoine en Val-d'Oise" (Culture and Heritage in Val-d'Oise) is offering a guided tour of the town of Pontoise through its paths and gardens, accompanied by two members of the CPVO association.
Meeting point at 2.45pm in front of the Hôtel-de-Ville entrance, departure at 3pm.
Duration: 2h30 with many stops
BRING GOOD SHOES
Founded in 1177 and transformed over the centuries, this church, consecrated in 1599, has undergone major restoration work and is now illuminated every evening.
Schedules subject to religious service on Sunday at 6 p.m.
The presbytery houses an old circular quarry with a room converted into an underground chapel.
Saturday and Sunday from 3pm to 5pm, your visit to the underground chapel will be accompanied by the gentle guitar of Fabien Vilpoix.
Friends of the People Lodge
Les Amis du Peuple à l'Orient de Pontoise GODF was founded on May 15, 1848 by a lawyer. In 1905, it naturally moved to rue des Tables Rondes, near the courthouse. The basement houses the temple hall, where meetings are held. Come and meet the members of the Lodge, who will tell you all about the history of the place.
Pontoise has been a major jurisdictional center since the Middle Ages. The Val-d'Oise Bar Association was founded in Pontoise in 1887. Here you can discover the Bar's collection of objects, documents and illustrations relating to justice and lawyers, dating from the 17th to the 20th century.
Free with registration, number of places limited.
Registration on 01 30 73 90 77 (Wednesday to Sunday) or musee@ville-pontoise.fr
Aucun événement annoncé à ce jour, le programme est mis à jour en fonction des annonces officielles.
Musée Tavet Delacour
Fabrik Nature's "Builders' Meal" culinary workshop. After painting at the cathedral and learning about the history of this historic monument, come and feast on a medieval-flavored meal, which you can either prepare yourself (registration from Wednesday to Sunday on 01 30 73 90 77 or [musee](mailto:musee@ville-pontoise.fr)) or simply enjoy.
Place des Moineaux
A magical travelling show for young and old. Acrobats bring Camille Pissarro's paintings to life! Departure from Place des Moineaux.
Postponed to the Dôme in case of bad weather. Free admission.
Vineyards of the Free Commune of Saint-Martin
Discover the vineyard and taste the ginglet cuvée 2024.
Souterrain de l'escalier du Général Leclerc
Ancient cellar dug into the side of the cliff.
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Dates and Opening Time
From September 20, 2025 to September 21, 2025
Location
Pontoise
Pontoise
95000 Pontoise
Prices
Free
Official website
www.ville-pontoise.fr
