Heritage Days 2026: an exclusive tour of the Pincevent archaeological site (77)

Heritage Days are back in Paris and the Île-de-France region on 19 and 20 September 2026. In Pincevent, the Seine-et-Marne commune, discover the local archaeological site through a specially tailored program.

The European Heritage Days, initiated in 1984 by the French Ministry of Culture, are an annual event held every third weekend in September, and have been open to all European countries since 1991. It's a unique opportunity to discover sites and monuments that are usually closed to the public, or to gain free "behind-the-scenes" access to cultural sites that are rarely accessible to the general public.

In Paris, the European Heritage Days take on a special dimension thanks to the diversity and density of the capital's cultural and historical sites. Visitors can explore hidden treasures such as private mansions, ministries and embassies, as well as prestigious cultural institutions like the Louvre,Opéra Garnier and Philharmonie de Paris. Guided tours, temporary exhibitions and workshops are often organized for the occasion.

But Paris doesn't have a monopoly on beautiful places and curiosities... The archaeological site of Pincevent, located in Seine-et-Marne, is one of the most important prehistoric sites in France. Discovered in the 1960s, it is a Magdalenian settlement dating from around 12,000 BC. Excavations have revealed remarkably well-preserved evidence of the daily life of reindeer hunters, including flint tools, remains of fireplaces and dwelling structures.

This site offers a rare glimpse into the lives of the last hunter-gatherers of prehistory, and is regularly studied by archaeologists aiming to better understand the lifestyles and environmental adaptations of our ancestors. Discover it during Heritage Days 2026, with guided tours on September 19 and 20.

The Heritage Days 2026 lineup at the Pincevent Archaeological Site:

Guided tours of the Pincevent site
You can explore the remnants of encampments uncovered since the 1960s, and discover the methods scientists use to shed light on this exceptional site.

Tours run hourly, starting at 10 a.m.
Conditions de participation : Open to ages 8 and up. Each session is limited to 24 participants. - Free | Booking required - 06 29 93 30 43, PinceventJEP2026@hotmail.com, 01 64 85 60 42
Hours: Saturday, September 19, 2026, 10:00–18:00 | Sunday, September 20, 2026, 10:00–18:00
Workshop on Livelihoods
An awareness workshop on Paleolithic subsistence and target shooting with the spear-thrower will also be offered in addition to these drop-in sessions. The aim of this workshop is to show the public how Magdalenians hunted to feed themselves, as well as the weapons used for hunting: the spear-thrower and the atlatl.

Explore hunting weapons known from prehistory and the various types of atlatls and projectile points known from the Magdalenian period, accompanied by an introduction to target shooting with the atlatl.

Ongoing workshops. Duration: 1 hour.
Participation requirements: Open to all for the discovery segment; shooting initiation available from age 8 — Free | No reservations required
Hours: Sunday, September 20, 2026 — 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Kamishibai storytelling session: “I Want to Go Reindeer Hunting”
The kamishibai workshop "I Want to Go Reindeer Hunting" invites visitors to glimpse the life of the Magdalenians who lived in the southern Île-de-France region at the end of the Late Paleolithic. Originating in Japan, kamishibai is illustrated storytelling performed with a Butai, where the images unfold before the audience. The tale traces the everyday life of young Ourna and her family at their campsite.
Participation requirements: From age 5. Each session limited to 15 participants. Free of charge | Reservations required - PinceventJEP2026@hotmail.com, 0629933043, 0164856042
Hours: Sunday, September 20, 2026 — 10:00 to 18:00

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