Heritage Days 2026 at the Viaduc des Arts in Paris: a must-visit for lovers of craftsmanship

The Journées du Patrimoine (Heritage Days) are one of the must-see cultural events on the Parisian calendar. Every year in September, this Europe-wide event takes over the capital and the surrounding region. Over the course of an exceptional weekend, the region's most cult, secret and little-known venues open their doors to reveal what goes on behind the scenes. Get out your diary: the next event is scheduled for September 20 and 21, 2025.

Heritage is honored in all its guises, whether through visits to monuments and cultural sites, exceptional openings, gourmet outings or meetings with artisans. Each year, a number of spots take part in the game, unveiling an attractive program of visits, events and workshops for young and old, often free of charge or not at all expensive!

For this 42nd edition of the Journées du Patrimoine in Paris, what would you say to exploring an astonishing and fascinating place in the capital? In 1859, in the east of the capital, the Viaduc de Paris was one of the key crossings of the petite ceinture, the capital's former railroad line. Today, it's possible to walk along the top of the Viaduc on the coulée verte. Under the 62 arches that make up the Viaduc des Arts, you'll find several boutiques and workshops. Enthusiasts and the curious can come and meet the nearly forty artisans who can be found here.

• To be read
• This week's best tips and deals in Paris and Île-de-France, June 29–July 5, 2026

The 2026 Heritage Days program at the Viaduc des Arts in Paris:

Aucun événement annoncé à ce jour, le programme est mis à jour en fonction des annonces officielles.

Atelier Hylé

• Discovery of a heritage conservation-restoration workshop

  At the Hylé Workshop, cultural goods come in to be cared for: ancient paintings or ceramics from museums, castles, collectors or communities, archaeological artifacts or contemporary artworks—it's a wide variety of objects that pass across the workshop's tables and easels to be treated and transmitted to present and future generations.

  But who carries out this work and what does it actually involve? Do we know that it is more scientific than artistic and that there is a shared international code of ethics on the matter? What training paths lead to this profession? And what are the particularities of the specialties practiced at the workshop?

  All these questions invite you to explore them during a guided, small-group visit.

  For everyone's comfort and for the safety of objects in treatment (an accidental elbow bump can happen quickly), we limit visits to 8 people per time slot—hence mandatory reservations—thank you for your understanding.

  Young visitors are welcome; coloring sheets or plain paper will be provided for those who are more inspired by creation than restoration ;)

  Participation conditions: 8 people maximum per visit slot. Send us an email with your preferred slot and the number of people in your party. Only a positive reply from us counts as a registration. - Free | Booking required

  Schedule: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 10:30 to 12:00, 13:30 to 15:00, 15:00 to 16:30