Every year, the Journées du Patrimoine (Heritage Days ) take place all over Europe to the delight of enthusiasts and the curious. This cultural event offers the public the chance to rediscover our heritage from a different angle, through an attractive program of visits, often free of charge, and original events.
Museums, monuments, castles, institutions and even places that are usually inaccessible to the public, including ministries, many of our heritage treasures lend themselves to the game and reveal their secrets for the occasion. And, as you'd expect, Paris and the surrounding region are also taking part!
This time, the date is set for the weekend of September 20 and 21, 2025. These dates mark the 41st edition of the Journées du Patrimoine. Why not take advantage of this opportunity to discover the most beautiful towns in the Île-de-France region? In the Seine-et-Marne region, Fontainebleau is one of the perfect places for a lovely Ile-de-France getaway! With its verdant landscapes, sublime château and other treasures, this town steeped in history is well worth the detour. And just as well, Fontainebleau is taking part in the Journées du Patrimoine!
Heritage Days 2025 at the Château de Fontainebleau (77): a lively weekend at the château
The Château de Fontainebleau is taking part in the Journées du Patrimoine 2025, on September 20 and 21. We reveal the program for this magnificent Seine-et-Marne château. [Read more]
Atelier Georges Devoux
Visit the studio of Georges DEVOUX, multi-disciplinary art deco art nouveau artist
Maison des Compagnons
### History of the Maison des Compagnons
* A remarkable 17th and 18th century heritage building
In 1973, with the aim of setting an example of restoration, a small companion house was acquired by heritage enthusiasts under the impetus of Georges Galipon, supported by the Comité de Défense, d'Action et de Sauvegarde de Fontainebleau created two years earlier.
A small house probably built at the end of the 16th century, during the reign of Henri IV, it was rebuilt as a bourgeois house in the early 18th century. Over time, it has remained authentic, without having undergone any detrimental transformations. A small center of the Compagnonnage movement, as evidenced by the emblem - square and compasses - that adorns the window railings on the noble floor facing the street, it has revealed many surprises.
The present exhibition retraces the circumstances of its origin, the various stages of its construction, the people who lived there and then those who, during the nearly fifty years of its restoration, made a voluntary contribution, led by the indefatigable Georges Galipon.
### Conference to complement the exhibition:
History of the Maison des Compagnons by Francis Ménard
& Anecdotes about the owners of the Maison des Compagnons by Pierre Knafo
See exhibition description
A small house probably built at the end of the 16th century, during the reign of Henri IV, it was rebuilt as a bourgeois house at the beginning of the 18th century. Over time, it has remained authentic, without having undergone any detrimental transformations. A small center of the Compagnonnage movement, as evidenced by the emblem - square and compasses - that adorns the window railings on the noble floor facing the street, it has revealed many surprises.
Duration: 1 hour, free admission (subject to availability)
Reservations recommended by e-mail: [cdasf](mailto:cdasf@neuf.fr)
Maison forestière de la Garenne Gros Bois
Our association will present the buildings to visitors, explain how our 100 large hounds are bred, introduce them to the Trompe de chasse (a UNESCO World Heritage site) and answer questions about the history and practice of venison in Fontainebleau from the kings to the present day.
Jeu de Paume du château
Aucun événement annoncé à ce jour, le programme est mis à jour en fonction des annonces officielles.
Médiathèque municipale
Take a behind-the-scenes look at the Fontainebleau Médiathèque's ancient collection, which includes over 35,000 documents dating from the 15th to the 19th century.
Our librarians will take you on one of 4 guided tours of the heritage reserve. A selection of exceptional documents will be presented, as well as the main tasks of their profession, which specializes in written heritage.
The Médiathèque celebrates local heritage and history during a week that opens on the occasion of the JEP 2025, from Saturday September 20 to Saturday September 27.
The events organized will highlight the wealth of Bellifontaine's heritage in all its forms: natural, historical and architectural. Varied themes include the forest, the castle, art history and the town, all linked to the Médiathèque's heritage collections and recent restorations.
Book signing by Mr. Jean-Claude Polton "Claude-François Denecourt" - Saturday September 20 - 3pm.
Stop motionworkshops on comics by the Association L'Enfant et le 7e art - Wednesday September 24 - 10am and 2pm.
Conference by Mr. Guillaume Larrège of ANVL "Le massif de Fontainebleau, un site à la richesse biologique exceptionnelle" - Thursday, September 25 - 6:30pm.
Revue d'histoire de Fontainebleau et sa régionround-table discussion: Heritage and Tourism / How to write history? Biography and comics - Friday, September 26 - 3pm to 6pm.
Storytelling walk in the footsteps of Denecourt by Mme Geneviève Bayle-Labouré - Saturday September 27 - 2:30pm.
As part of the 2ᵉ edition of the Semaine Fontainebleau à la croisée des patrimoines, the municipal media library invites you to an exceptional lecture dedicated to Claude-François Denecourt (1788-1875), a major figure in local history and inventor of tourism in the forest of Fontainebleau.
Also, to mark the 150th anniversary of the death of "Sylvain", author Jean-Claude Polton will preview the biographical comic strip he has dedicated to Denecourt, co-written with Dominique Polton and illustrated by Pierre-Yves Cezard. The meeting will be followed by a signing session, in a friendly format open to everyone aged 12 and over. Through this lively and accessible account, participants will discover a fascinating part of Bellifontaine's history.
The Médiathèque celebrates local heritage and history during a week that opens on the occasion of the JEP 2025, from Saturday September 20 to Saturday September 27.
The events organized will highlight the wealth of Bellifontaine's heritage in all its forms: natural, historical and architectural. Varied themes include the forest, the castle, art history and the town, all linked to the Médiathèque's heritage collections and recent restorations.
Book signing by Mr. Jean-Claude Polton "Claude-François Denecourt" - Saturday September 20 - 3pm.
Stop motionworkshops on comics by the Association L'Enfant et le 7e art - Wednesday September 24 - 10am and 2pm.
Conference by Mr. Guillaume Larrège of ANVL "Le massif de Fontainebleau, un site à la richesse biologique exceptionnelle" - Thursday, September 25 - 6:30pm.
Revue d'histoire de Fontainebleau et sa régionround-table discussion: Heritage and Tourism / How to write history? Biography and comics - Friday, September 26 - 3pm to 6pm.
Storytelling walk in the footsteps of Denecourt by Mme Geneviève Bayle-Labouré - Saturday September 27 - 2:30pm.
Fire Brigade Museum
Come and discover the world of firefighting!
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For two unforgettable days, immerse yourself in the fascinating world of firefighting through immersive exhibitions and demonstrations.
### On the program:
- Musée des sapeurs-pompiers: Explore 540 m² of exhibition space dedicated to the history and equipment of firefighters. A true journey to the heart of their daily lives.
- Visit the fire and rescue center: Go behind the scenes of these heroic interventions, with the chance to watch live demonstrations.
- Intervention demonstrations:
o Road rescue exercise (daily at 11am)
o Presentation of specialized vehicles for fire-fighting in natural areas, animal rescue, operations in hazardous environments (rope access), and rescue and clearing.
- Fireman's course: Test your skills in an artificially smoky space, equipped with breathing apparatus, and experience real-life training.
### And much more for young and old!
A not-to-be-missed event for enthusiasts, the curious and families in search of a thrill!
Dates and Opening Time
From September 20, 2025 to September 21, 2025
Location
Fontainebleau Town Hall
40 Rue Grande
77300 Fontainebleau
Official website
fontainebleau.fr
