Heritage Days 2026 in Paris at the Army Health Service Museum at Val-de-Grâce

Every year, the Journées du Patrimoine (Heritage Days) invite young and old, Parisians and tourists alike, enthusiasts and the curious, to enjoy a fabulous weekend full of beautiful discoveries and cultural highlights. This key event in the Parisian calendar brightens up the month of September with an exciting concept.

• To be read
• This week's top picks for July 6–12, 2026 in Paris and Île-de-France

Over the course of a weekend, the finest treasures of our heritage open their doors to us and reveal their secrets through a program of visits, events and workshops, often free of charge or not at all expensive. From must-see museums to the most secret places, from historic monuments to private mansions, from major institutions to government ministries, many addresses are up for the challenge , and exceptional visits are legion.

Notre-Dame du Val-de-Grâce church, a royal edifice near the hospital in the Latin Quarter
Did you know that the Val-de-Grâce church was built at the request of Queen Anne of Austria, in gratitude for the birth of her son, Louis XIV? A majestic building in the 5th arrondissement, the church can be visited at the same time as the Musée du Service de Santé des Armées. [Read more]

Every year, a vast program of events awaits us, so much so that everyone can find an outing to their liking. If you're passionate about medicine or the military, here's a plan that might just catch your eye. In the heart of the capital, in theformer Val-de-Grâce military hospital, you'll find a highly specialized museum: the Musée du Service de Santé des Armées.

Since 1916, it has been housed in the cloister of theformer Royal Abbey of Val-de-Grâce, and bears witness to the adaptability and innovation of the medical teams associated with this department. Why not discover them during the next edition of the Journées du Patrimoine in Paris?

The 2026 Heritage Days program at the Army Health Service Museum at Val-de-Grâce in Paris

• A closer look at the Army Health Service Museum

  The museum of the French Army Medical Service, housed in the former royal Val-de-Grâce Abbey (17th century), traces the history of France’s military medicine. It was established in 1916 to preserve the testimonies and advances that emerged from World War I.

  The collections include medical instruments, uniforms, anatomical casts, scale models, paintings, and antique pharmaceutical objects, underscoring the pivotal role of the Army Medical Service in maintaining the health of the armed forces—from frontline evacuation to post-battle care and rehabilitation. The exhibits span conflicts from the Napoleonic wars to today’s overseas operations, highlighting the evolution of military medicine and its impact on civilian healthcare.

  Participation conditions: Free | No reservation required

  Opening hours: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 11:00–19:00 | Sunday, September 20, 2026 — 11:00–19:00