Once a year, on the third weekend of September, a touch of magic sweeps across France, swinging open the doors to all monuments, historic sites, and art centers across the country. Well, almost… No sorcery here, just a major cultural event that lets us enjoy the rich French heritage for a weekend.
This event is, of course, the Journées du Patrimoine, returning for a 43rd edition, on 19 and 20 September 2026. On this occasion, thousands of important, little-known or famous sites welcome curious visitors of all ages. Rich in several millennia of history, traversed and occupied by different nations, various styles and artistic movements, and countless events, France possesses an exceptional heritage, hidden in every town and village.
That's right: you don't have to go far to discover unsuspected treasures! If you live inEssonne, and more specifically in the town of Corbeil-Essonnes, you can even take advantage of the many visits and activities specially prepared for these Heritage Days.
Let yourself be seduced by the monuments and places of interest in this Ile-de-France town, which just might surprise you... Here's the program for the weekend.
Corbeil-Essonnes Mosque
A visit to the Mosque of Peace
Exploring the mosque through its history, an exhibition and a guided tour.
Workshops, an introduction to calligraphy, or a tasting await visitors.
Participation requirements: Free | No reservation required
Schedule: Saturday, September 19, 2026, 10:00–17:00 | Sunday, September 20, 2026, 10:00–17:00
Saint Spire Cathedral
Guided Tour of Count Haymon Square
Two hundred years ago, relive Place du Comte Haymon as if you were there.
Frédéric Gatineau, president of the Essonne and Hurepoix Historical and Archaeological Society, takes us on a journey through time.
Starting from the forecourt of Saint-Spire Cathedral.
For ages 7 and up.
Participation terms: Free | No reservation required
Schedule: Saturday, September 19, 2026 – 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM
Secrets and Mysteries of the Saint-Spire Cathedral
Twelve voices recount the astonishing history of this building from twelve different spots around the site.
In partnership with the Historical and Archaeological Society of Essonne and Hurepoix.
Suitable for ages seven and up.
Participation Terms: Free | No reservation required
Schedule: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM
Guided Tour of Saint-Spire Cathedral
Discover this iconic cathedral, a cornerstone in the story of how the royal town of Corbeil was built.
Guided tours every hour.
Participation terms: Free | No reservation required
Schedule: Sunday, September 20, 2026 – 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Tarterets Boiler House
What lives in our hearts
“What Lives in Our Hearts,” the collective artwork conceived by Aristide Barraud in May and June 2026, will be exhibited at the heart of this industrial building. This three-metre-tall mural made up of letters was crafted from strips of wallpaper salvaged from the neighborhood’s demolished towers. The multidisciplinary project raised awareness among residents about the heritage and memory of Corbeil-Essonnes through visual art. Accompanied by mediators, Aristide led sessions for children, families, youths, seniors and people with disabilities.
Plastic workshops supervised by the artist will take place during these days:
- Podcast Workshop - Recording archives and memories
- Bookmaking Workshop to take away a memento, a small piece of the work.
- StopMotion Workshop: creation of a participatory video around historical postcards of the Tarterêts district; postcards printed via risography that everyone can take home. Risography is a blend of digital printing and silk-screen printing. It is a stencil-based printing process, eco-friendly and economical, imported from Japan.
- Photography Workshop: Young photographers invite you to have your portrait taken in a setting specially designed from the wallpaper and in dialogue with the boiler house’s architecture. You’ll leave with the photos taken on this occasion.
Come discover the artwork, the artist, and the intimate history of the city.
Fresque opening on Saturday, September 19 at 11:30 a.m. in the presence of the artist.
A former professional rugby player, Aristide was trained by the artist JR at the Kourtrajmé school in 2020. Since then, he has created collective works, often monumental, in public spaces with residents.
Participation requirements: Free | No reservation required
Hours: Saturday, September 19, 2026 – 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM | Sunday, September 20, 2026 – 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Commanderie Saint-Jean
The Knights of the Noble Art of the Arquebus in the 18th Century
The Royal Arquebus Company of Corbeil invites visitors to a historical reenactment on the iconic site of the Commandery.
Come discover the costumed knights and their ladies, who will recount their glorious moments and present a papegay shooting demonstration at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Participation requirements: Free | No reservation required
Hours: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM | Sunday, September 20, 2026 — 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Church of Saint Joseph des Tarterets
Discover Pierre Mabille's stained-glass windows at Saint-Joseph-des-Tarterêts
Guided tour and activity focusing on the stained glass windows created by Pierre Mabille and the Duchemin workshops at Saint-Joseph-des-Tarterêts Church
Terms of participation: Free
Schedule: Saturday, 19 September 2026 — 16:00–17:00 | Sunday, 20 September 2026 — 12:30–13:30
A Tour of Saint-Joseph Church
Guided tour and exploration of the contemporary stained-glass works by artist Pierre Mabille, whose recurring motif is the mandorla.
Featuring a workshop on stained glass.
Participation requirements: Ages 7 and up — Free | No reservation required
Schedule: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 4:00–5:00 PM ⤏ Sunday, September 20, 2026 — 12:30–1:30 PM
Saint-Etienne Church
Guided tour of Saint-Etienne Church
Discover a 12th‑century church, its nave adorned with unusually rare painted decorations.
Guided tours every hour.
Participation requirements: Free | No booking required
Schedule: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Jacques Bourgoin School
Aucun événement annoncé à ce jour, le programme est mis à jour en fonction des annonces officielles.
Municipal art gallery
Aucun événement annoncé à ce jour, le programme est mis à jour en fonction des annonces officielles.
Chantemerle multimedia library
Aucun événement annoncé à ce jour, le programme est mis à jour en fonction des annonces officielles.
Médiathèque municipale
Aucun événement annoncé à ce jour, le programme est mis à jour en fonction des annonces officielles.
Corbeil-Essonnes Protestant Temple
Guided tour of the Protestant temple
Through a tour of the temple inaugurated in 1862, visitors will see how the building’s history is intertwined with that of the town. Exhibits and artifacts to discover.
Participation terms: Free | No reservation required
Hours: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 10:00–12:00, 14:00–18:00
The guided tours
In the heart of Corbeil's Grand Mills
We invite you to stroll through the Grands Moulins’ various buildings, spanning from the 19th to the 21st century. The tour reveals the history and evolution of the Grands Moulins, as well as urban life across the centuries: trades, architectural landscape, and Paris’s enduring connection.
The following points of interest are on the route:
- Place Galignani;
- Abandoned mills (Paris’s supply quay);
- The Seine and former quays;
- Mills (Paris’s supply quay) and the hoisting tower;
- The New Mill.
This stroll is suitable for school groups and can be discussed with the teacher in charge.
Participation conditions: 30 - Free | No reservation required
Schedule: Friday, September 18, 2026 — 09:00–10:00, 10:00–11:00
"Grands Moulins Evolution", a self-guided tour app around Grands Moulins Evolution
What if you could discover the history of the Grands Moulins de Corbeil in a new light?
With the app "Grands Moulins Evolution," free to download on the Play Store or App Store, visit the Grands Moulins de Corbeil and trace the story of this industrial cathedral that marked the profound development of the Grand Paris Sud area.
Download the app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=fr.grandparissud.grandsmoulinsevolution&hl=fr
Participation requirements: Free | No reservation required
Hours: Saturday, September 19, 2026, 08:00 ⤏ 20:00 | Sunday, September 20, 2026, 08:00 ⤏ 20:00
Heritage stroll tracing the memory of the working class
Join us to explore the working-class memory of Corbeil-Essonnes and its major industrial sites—the memories and struggles that have shaped the region’s identity.
Starting point: MJC – 45 Allées Aristide Briand, for a 10-km loop with a picnic packed for the day.
Participation conditions: Free - for ages 10 and up - group limited to 30 people - Free | Registration required - ihs91@cgt.fr
Schedule: Saturday, September 19, 2026 ⤏ 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM
Essonne and its communes are brimming with heritage treasures, so discover them all during this JEP weekend!
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Dates and Opening Time
From September 19, 2026 to September 20, 2026
Location
Corbeil-Essonnes Town Hall
2 Place Galignani
91100 Corbeil Essonnes
Route planner
Official website
www.corbeil-essonnes.fr
