European Heritage Days 2026: Free tours at the Jean-Jacques Henner Museum in Paris

In Paris’s 17th arrondissement, the Jean-Jacques Henner Museum is taking part in Heritage Days with free entry and a special program on September 19–20, 2026. A great opportunity to explore the painter’s world and the museum’s collections.

There are over 200 museums in Paris! We're often familiar with the most famous: the Louvre, the Centre Pompidou, the Musée d'Orsay, the Musée Carnavalet, the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle... These are extraordinary institutions, of course, but they somewhat overshadow the more confidential but equally magnificent museums.

That's what the Journées du Patrimoine are all about! This cultural event opens the doors of many historic and cultural sites throughout France. It's a great opportunity to discover hidden and little-known nuggets close to home. In Paris, you can visit the Musée National Jean-Jacques Henner, in the 17th arrondissement, free of charge.

This museum is dedicated to painter Jean-Jacques Henner: it houses nearly 300 works of art, period furniture and antique objects that trace both the life and career of the Parisian artist. This two-storey townhouse, located just steps from Parc Monceau, offers a glimpse into the daily life and society of the 19th-century painter. If you’ve never visited this charming museum, take advantage of Heritage Days, the weekend of September 19–20, 2026!

Here's what's on for Heritage Days at the Jean-Jacques Henner Museum:

Self-guided tour of the museum's collections
On the occasion of the 43rd European Heritage Days, the museum opens its doors to the public free of charge to discover its collections and the private mansion that houses them.

It is also an opportunity to explore the dossier exhibition "Family Portraits."

Last entry: 5:30 PM
Participation conditions: Free (reservation recommended) - Free | Mandatory reservation - https://billetterie.musee-henner.fr/detail-activite/jep-2026-visite-libre
Hours: Saturday, September 19, 2026, 11:00–18:00 | Sunday, September 20, 2026, 11:00–18:00
Family Portraits
As part of European Heritage Days 2026, the museum invites visitors to explore free of charge a new, never-before-seen dossier-exhibition that shines a light on the unbreakable bonds between the Alsatian painter and his family. For the occasion, about twenty portraits, drawings and canvases are being drawn from the archives. They will be on display in the museum’s Drawing Room at the Jean-Jacques Henner Museum from September 16, 2026 to January 4, 2027.
Participation conditions: Free admission - Free of charge | Reservations required - https://billetterie.musee-henner.fr/detail-activite/jep-2026-visite-libre
Hours: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM | Sunday, September 20, 2026 — 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Family Portraits — The Photographs
In response to the exhibition dossier “Family Portraits,” and to mark the bicentennial of photography, the Henner Museum is pulling from its vaults a trove of unseen photographs of Jean-Jacques Henner and his inner circle. Taken documentary-style or more formally posed, these portraits reveal the different ways people captured and preserved the image of loved ones in the artist’s era.

Several photographs come from Jeanne Smith (1857-1943), sister of painter Madeleine Smith, a student of Henner, taken during the family’s stays in Bernwiller.

An exhibition dedicated to him will be held at the Foundation of Artists (Maison nationale des artistes, Nogent-sur-Marne) from 19 September 2026 to 3 January 2027.
Participation conditions: Free admission, subject to capacity - reservations recommended - Free | Reservations mandatory - https://billetterie.musee-henner.fr/detail-activite/jep-2026-visite-libre
Hours: Saturday, September 19, 2026 - 11:00 ⤏ 18:00 | Sunday, September 20, 2026 - 11:00 ⤏ 18:00
Storytelling tour
Through the paintings, fantastical whispers, myths, legends, and stories perhaps true…

For ages 4 and up.
Participation conditions: Free of charge - Free | Booking required - https://billetterie.musee-henner.fr/detail-activite/jep-visite-contee-henner
Schedule: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Sunday in Music!
Concert in partnership with the Alfred Cortot School of Music.
Participation conditions: Limited seats - advance booking advised - Free | Booking required - https://billetterie.musee-henner.fr/detail-activite/jep-dimanche-musique-jjh
Schedule: Sunday, September 20, 2026 – 3:30 PM–4:30 PM

And if you want to visit even more museums during this festive weekend, check out our guide!

Heritage Days 2026: Paris museums and art foundations across Île-de-France
During the 2026 Heritage Days, numerous museums and art foundations open their doors for free in Paris and the Île-de-France region. Mark your calendars for Saturday, 19 September and Sunday, 20 September 2026 to enjoy a program rich with exciting discoveries. [Read more]