In Paris, in the 20th arrondissement, there’s an artistic venue devoted to contemporary sculpture. The Espace Monte-Cristo puts the Villa Datris Foundation’s collection in the spotlight and regularly hosts striking, colorful exhibitions. On September 19 and 20, 2026, the Espace Monte-Cristo will take part in the 43rd edition of the Heritage Days, inviting us to come and discover its treasures.
Not familiar with the Journées du Patrimoine? Here's a little catch-up: this Europe-wide cultural event takes place every year on the third weekend of September. Thousands of historic, artistic and cultural sites all over France open their doors free of charge. Museums, monuments, churches, parks, sports and entertainment venues, places of power, factories, department stores: every city, every region tells its own story through its buildings and relics.
If you love the contemporary art, and you’re in the Père-Lachaise neighborhood on September 19–20, 2026, don’t miss a visit to Espace Monte-Cristo to admire its collections!
The Grand Celebration of Women's Heritage
The Great Matrimoine Festival at Espace Monte-Cristo
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Saturday, September 19 and Sunday, September 20, open until 8 p.m.
The exhibition Dialing Silence reminds us that history is built from powerful, inspiring stories that deserve to be discovered, rewritten, and shared. For European Heritage Days and Matrimoine, we invite you to celebrate pioneering women and bring their stories into the present, as part of the Great Matrimoine Festival at Espace Monte-Cristo.
### What’s on, Saturday and Sunday
11:00–20:00: Activation of the work Political Ribbons by Andrea Bowers
Free, no reservation required, continuous
Drawing on activist practice, the artist offers satin ribbons in bright colors, inscribed with slogans: “Sexism sucks,” “My body is not your business,” “Women and the Earth have to tolerate a lot,” “Gender is a universe and we are all stars”… Take a ribbon from the installation to extend your action beyond the walls of the exhibition and help turn activism into a collective mobilization!
11:30–13:00: Guided tour
“Memori·elles: notable and inspiring figures”
Free, reservation required
During this tour we’ll work to fill in the gaps in history, honoring the memories of women who are lesser known, overlooked, or misunderstood. In dialogue with the works in Diseuses de silence, you’ll rediscover figures such as Jeanne la Flamme, 14th‑century knight, the knitting women of the French Revolution, and Casque d’Or, the emblematic face of early-20th‑century Parisian banditry.
14:00–17:00: The Matrimoine Quiz
Free, no reservation required, continuous
Can you identify the great matrimoine figures and master the feminine vocabulary often erased from French? Ask for the quiz at reception, explore the rooms, gather clues from the facilitators… then come back to share your answers and discuss them together.
The celebration continues… in chorus
17:00–18:00 and 18:30–19:30: Feminist choir from Every Little Moment
Free, no reservation required
To lift messages of hope together, we’ll spotlight singing and its unifying power by inviting you to join the Every Little Moment feminist choir.
Raise your voices to imagine a better world with a joyful, committed medley. Julien Granel’s “Plus Fort” or Björk’s “It’s Oh So Quiet” promise unforgettable moments in this collective experience. “Shh, Shhh”… you don’t need to be a perfect singer. Feel your body, warm up your voice, snap your fingers—let’s go!
Every Little Moment?
Emma Stubbs, founder of _Every Little Moment_, creates collective experiences around singing and music to bring people together and help them connect. Her music workshops value each person’s uniqueness while composing a harmonious whole.
You do not need to sign up to participate in the choir. However, we’d love to welcome you properly, so please let us know you’re coming.
We can’t wait to see you at Espace Monte-Cristo for this weekend you won’t want to miss, celebrating the women who, yesterday, today, and tomorrow, shape our history 💜
Participation conditions: Free | No reservation required | Booking required - https://fondationvilladatris.fr/espace-monte-cristo/les-activites/
Opening hours: Saturday, September 19, 2026 – 11:00 ⤏ 20:00 | Sunday, September 20, 2026 – 11:00 ⤏ 20:00
An often overlooked cultural spot that's a must-see! And to keep you busy over the weekend, pick out some new things to do in our guide to JEP in Paris.
Heritage Days 2026 in Paris (75): the schedule of visits and activities by arrondissement
For Paris’ 2026 Journées du Patrimoine, the capital’s monuments and historic sites throw open their doors—often free of charge—to reveal their secrets. Don’t miss this must-attend weekend, scheduled for September 19–20, 2026, as you discover the program built around the themes “Heritage in Peril” and “Heritage of Photography.” [Read more]
Dates and Opening Time
From September 19, 2026 to September 20, 2026
Location
Espace Monte-Cristo
9 Rue Monte-Cristo
75020 Paris 20
Route planner
Accessibility info
Access
Metro line 2 "Alexandre Dumas" station
Prices
Free
Official website
fondationvilladatris.fr
Heritage Days 2026 in Paris (75): the schedule of visits and activities by arrondissement
