The Heritage Days, it's one of the must-attend events in September in Paris and the Île-de-France region. A true highlight of the cultural calendar, this essential rendezvous invites us to discover our heritage in a new light, spotlighting our most precious treasures for a weekend.
Many venues are jumping in, including museums, monuments, castles, gardens, but also ministries, ministries, grand institutions, or even embassies. All are joining the show to reveal their secrets through a programming that is often free, featuring open or guided tours, animations and unprecedented workshops for young and old. As you can tell, this is a cultural insider tip you won’t want to miss during the weekend of September 19–20, 2026!
The whole Île-de-France is in on it every edition! It's also the chance to set off in search of the region's heritage, which more than earns the detour. A getaway to Seine-et-Marne could easily prove it: the department 77 is brimming with patrimoine treasures that remain too little known. This time, we're taking you to Melun, to discover the program awaiting in this city accessible by public transport for this 43rd edition of the Heritage Days!
Heritage Days 2026 at Astrolabe, Melun's municipal archives
Investigations in Melun: On the Origins of Photography
As part of the European Heritage Days and the bicentennial of photography, the Municipal Archives of the City of Melun invite you to join genealogical and historical research workshops aimed at tracing the Melun-lens lines of photographers. Workshops led by Jérôme Malhache, a professional genealogist. Groups of up to 10 participants, aged 18 and older.
Participation conditions: Registration required — 10 participants per workshop, ages 18 and up — Free. Booking mandatory — archives@astrolabe-melun.fr, 01 60 56 54 30
Schedule: Sunday, September 20, 2026 — 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM, 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Heritage Days 2026 at the Saint-Jean Space
Photography and Archaeology
A slideshow on the archaeology of the Saint-Sauveur islet, the focus of historical and archaeological research—both preventive and planned—since the mid-19th century, and a showcase for the photographic documentation and the NuMel digitized database.
Participation conditions: Free | No reservation required
Hours: Friday, September 18, 2026 – 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM | Saturday, September 19, 2026 – 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM | Sunday, September 20, 2026 – 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Heritage Days 2026 at the Astrolabe Media Library
Monumental botanical cyanotype projections on the façade of the Administrative City
Botanical cyanotypes from the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris
Henri Bodin was an architectural decorator specializing in wallpaper and textiles. Around 1895 he created a series of cyanotype photograms of plants and leaves. This photographic process, born in the 19th century, yields unique prints without a camera, simply by harnessing sunlight.
You will encounter these botanical ornaments set against Prussian blue, projected across the façade of the Cité administrative, throughout September from Tuesday to Saturday, at dusk.
Participation requirements: Free | No reservation required
Schedule: Friday, September 18, 2026 — 8:00 PM ⤏ 11:30 PM | Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 8:00 PM ⤏ 11:30 PM
Dates and Opening Time
From September 19, 2026 to September 20, 2026
Location
Melun
melun
77000 Melun
Route planner
Official website
www.ville-melun.fr
