Heritage Days 2026 at Trajan Tower (91): a tour of the ancient column of Méréville

No need to travel abroad when Paris and Île-de-France are right before your eyes with all their treasures! During the Journées du Patrimoine, you can take in these monuments, museums, churches and other buildings whose architecture spans so many eras that it feels like stepping through the centuries! The 19 and 20 September 2026, we take the weekend to wander the region and uncover genuine curiosities, notably in Essonne!

Maybe you didn't know it, but the town of Méréville has at its center the twin tower of the Colonne Trajane, located in the heart of Rome! Built after the French Revolution to adorn the garden of the Marquis Jean-Joseph de Laborde, this tower is the work ofHubert Robert and Jacques Andre-Pailhet, who called it"the ancient obelisk". Listed as a historic monument, you'll need a bit of breath to climb the 199 steps and enjoy an exceptional view of the town's castle from the top.

Standing 36 metres high, the Trajan Tower was even used in 1793 to measure the arc of the earth's meridian. The Tower of Rome was built in tribute to the emperor Trajan, but in the year 113! It's an opportunity to plunge into the heart ofRoman Antiquity, and perhaps discover a few of its secrets...

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• The week's best deals from September 7 to 13, 2026 in Paris and Île-de-France

The 2026 Heritage Days program at Trajan's Tower

• Introductory tour of Trajan's Tower

  Climb the 199 steps of Trajan’s Tower to enjoy a stunning panorama of the Méréville estate.

  Participation terms: Limited seats available — Free of charge | Reservation required — tourisme@caese.fr, 01 64 94 99 10

  Schedule: Saturday, September 19, 2026 – 3:30–4:00 PM, 4:30–5:00 PM | Sunday, September 20, 2026 – 3:30–4:00 PM, 4:30–5:00 PM