Every year the Heritage Days invite us to dive right into the treasures at the heart of the Paris region. Across the Île-de-France, museums, castles, craft venues, major institutions, monuments and other surprising spots reveal their secrets through a turbo-charged program rich in visits and activities, often free and sometimes crafted for everyone, young and old. Each edition, Paris and its region rise to the occasion, and the exceptional openings of places normally closed to the public are also on the menu for this weekend of cultural discovery.
On the doorstep of Paris, at the terminus of line 1, the City of Vincennes, perched beside the eponymous forest and famed for its château, invites us to the 43rd edition of Heritage Days to discover, in turn, its history and monuments. A chance to explore or rediscover this charming commune in the Val-de-Marne close to the capital and brimming with good addresses and ideas for outings. We’re sharing the program of what awaits you for this weekend of September 19 and 20, 2026.
Heritage Days 2026: Guided tours to discover the Château de Vincennes (94)
For Heritage Days 2026, the Château de Vincennes, home to the tallest keep in Europe, awaits you for a delightful cultural discovery of this medieval monument this weekend of September 19–20, 2026. [Read more]
Heritage Days 2026: Guided tours of the Bank of France in Vincennes (Val-de-Marne, 94)
The Banque de France in Vincennes will open its doors on an exceptional date, 19 September 2026, for the Heritage Days. It’s an opportunity to discover its history and its missions. [Read more]
Bank of France – Vincennes Branch
Let’s Talk This Through — Guided Tour of the Bank of France in Vincennes and Briefings on Its Mandates
As an independent institution, the Bank of France acts as the bankers' bank.
But what role does it play in our economic landscape?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_z1nhTETuk
Participation requirements: Two entry windows for morning and afternoon sessions, limited to 60 people per session: 09:30 and 11:00, then 13:30 and 15:00. Pre-registration and presentation of a valid ID are required for the visit. Children under 10 years old do not need to register. - Free | Reservation required - https://my.weezevent.com/journees-du-patrimoine-banque-de-france-vincennes?_gl=1djio3zgclau*OTIzODMwMDUzLjE3ODI4MDI3MTAuMjA0MjYzMjAzOS4xNzgyODAzNDY0LjE3ODI4MDM0NjM.*_gaMTQ5Mzg1NTczOC4xNzgyNDg4OTkx_ga_39H9VBFX7G*czE3ODI4MDI3MDAkbzEkZzEkdDE3ODI4MDg3MzgkajM4JGwwJGgxNTA3ODM5NjY5
Schedule: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 9:30–10:30, 11:00–12:00, 13:30–14:30, 15:00–16:00
Saint Louis Church in Vincennes
Saint-Louis Church in Vincennes — Self-guided visits
Saint-Louis Church stands as a striking example of the revival of sacred art in the early 20th century. On the construction site, architects Jacques Droz and Joseph Marrast brought together some of the movement’s most respected craftsmen and artists: Maurice Denis and Henry Marret, Maurice Dhomme, and Raymond Subes.
The church was listed as a historic monument in 1996. A major restoration project of Henry Marret’s frescoes has just been completed, returning them to their full splendor.
Participation requirements: Free | No reservation required
Hours: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 9:00–19:00 | Sunday, September 20, 2026 — 9:00–11:00, 12:00–19:00
Saint-Louis Church in Vincennes — Guided Tours
Saint-Louis Church stands as a striking example of the renewal of sacred art at the dawn of the 20th century. Architects Jacques Droz and Joseph Marrast brought together on the project some of the period’s most renowned artisans and artists: Maurice Denis and Henry Marret, Maurice Dhomme, and Raymond Subes.
The church was designated as a historical monument in 1996. A major restoration of Henry Marret's frescoes has just been completed, restoring them to their full splendor.
Participation terms: Free | No reservation required
Schedule: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 10:00–11:00, 15:00–16:00 | Sunday, September 20, 2026 — 15:00–16:00
Vincennes Town Hall Esplanade
Vincennes Town Hall — 6th Creators' Days
Around twenty artisan-creators spanning a broad range of crafts—from jewelry and ceramics to bookbinding, stained glass, contemporary furniture, leather goods, feather work, straw marquetry, cutlery, mosaic, glassworking, tapestry, lighting, and weaving—will showcase their work and demonstrate their craftsmanship.
Participation conditions: Free | No reservation required
Hours: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 10:00 AM–6:30 PM | Sunday, September 20, 2026 — 10:00 AM–6:30 PM
Vincennes City Hall
Vincennes City Hall — Self-guided Tours
The town hall embodies both the neo-Renaissance style that defined the early years of the Third Republic and the Art Deco flavor seen in its interiors, added during the 1935 expansions, some rooms of which were protected as historic monuments.
The façade restoration project, wrapped up in 2023, has brought the building back to full glory.
Participation terms: Free | No reservation required
Opening hours: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 10:00 to 18:30 | Sunday, September 20, 2026 — 10:00 to 18:30
Vincennes Town Hall - Conference on the Restoration of Painted Interiors
A major restoration campaign for the town hall's painted interiors will be launched in 2027.
At this conference, Marie Bégué, a certified restorer, will present the assessments carried out to ensure the success of the project and will explain the protocols to be implemented.
Participation terms: In the wedding hall - Free | No reservation required
Schedule: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM
Vincennes City Hall – Family storytelling tours
The City Hall embodies both the Neo-Renaissance style of the early Third Republic and the Art Deco influence, as seen in the interior décor created during the 1935 expansions, some of which were later protected as historic monuments.
The facade restoration work, completed in 2023, has reclaimed the building’s full splendor.
Participation conditions: Meet at the Town Hall steps, on the General Leclerc Esplanade side — Free | No reservation required
Times: Sunday, September 20, 2026 — 2:30 PM–3:15 PM, 3:30 PM–4:15 PM, 4:30 PM–5:15 PM
Guillaume Bottazzi's Artwork in Vincennes
Dreamlike ceramics by Guillaume Bottazzi in Vincennes
This ceramic work spans 3.80 meters in length. Created in 2023, it embodies a holistic approach that weaves in place-specific parameters. It forges a poetic, enchanting space that evolves with each viewer’s imagination.
On the occasion of the 43rd edition of European Heritage Days, painter-artist Guillaume Bottazzi, a pioneer of applied neuroaesthetics, invites us on a sprawling artistic journey of more than 90 patrimonial artworks that uplift us.
These works can be discovered across France, from Hauts-de-France to Occitanie, including the capital and Greater Paris, as well as Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Provence-Alpes-C Côte d'Azur.
Guillaume Bottazzi has signed over 180 patrimonial pieces aimed at valorizing heritage in Europe, the United States, China, and Japan, commissioned by cities, museums, and architects. They are integrated into the architectural fabric of the sites where they reside.
This initiative comes as the European Union and France designate mental health as a “Great National Cause” for 2026. These on-site works enhance our quality of life. These poetic creations, grounded in neurobiological knowledge, cultivate an ecosystem that helps people live more happily.
Visitors are invited to stroll through the spaces and view the works to see if they can receive their daily dose of well-being.
Official site of Guillaume Bottazzi
Participation terms: Self-guided exterior visit — Free | No reservation required
Timings: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 9:00 AM–6:00 PM | Sunday, September 20, 2026 — 9:00 AM–6:00 PM
Dates and Opening Time
From September 19, 2026 to September 20, 2026
Location
Vincennes Town Hall
53 bis Rue de Fontenay
94300 Vincennes
Route planner
Accessibility info
Access
Metro Château de Vincennes (line 1) or Vincennes (RER A)
Official website
www.vincennes.fr
