Every year, the Journées du Patrimoine (Heritage Days ) take place in September, offering a vast program of visits and events, often free of charge, in the heart of famous and little-known landmarks all over France.
In Paris and Île-de-France, monuments, churches, museums, libraries and other cultural venues are taking part in the game, unveiling their respective programs. It's even an opportunity to conquer places that are usually closed to the public, and take advantage of unprecedented tours.
In the 12th arrondissement of Paris, we especially take the opportunity to visit the maison de la RATP, home to the famous réseaux de transports en commun parisien, which invites us to this 43e édition des Journées du Patrimoine in the capital.
An invitation for both enthusiasts and the curious to go behind the scenes of the Paris métro—and even further—through this exceptional opening in the heart of the City of Light. Here’s the programme of activities and guided tours planned for this weekend of September 19–20, 2026 in Paris, inside the Urban Station de la RATP.
Exhibition: The Cardboard Ticket
Come to the RATP House to discover the story behind the iconic ticket.
Participation requirements: Free | No reservation required
Hours: Saturday, September 19, 2026, 10:00 AM ⤏ 6:00 PM | Sunday, September 20, 2026, 10:00 AM ⤏ 6:00 PM
Tour of the exhibition "The Traveler's Eye"
On the occasion of the Bicentennial of photography and its theme “celebrating the gaze,” an unprecedented exhibition will honor the RATP’s travelers. Titled “The Traveler’s Eye,” the show will feature photographs from the company’s heritage collections—most of them unseen—and offer a portrait of the people who have been using the network daily for more than a century.
Participation terms: Free | No reservation required
Hours: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM | Sunday, September 20, 2026 — 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Operation of tram-driving simulators and the MS61
Visit the RATP House to take the wheel of the driving simulator for an RER B line train and a tram that runs through the streets of Paris, Florence or Washington.
Participation requirements: Free | No reservation required
Hours: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 10:00 to 18:00 | Sunday, September 20, 2026 — 10:00 to 18:00
Family workshops
Come to the RATP House to discover the iconic Sprague locomotive, draw on metro tiles, play board games, and let your imagination run free as you explore the world of transport.
Participation requirements: Free | No reservation required
Hours: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM | Sunday, September 20, 2026 — 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
A ride on vintage buses
Come to the RATP House to hop aboard an old bus and take a ride.
Participation requirements: Free | No reservation required
Hours : Saturday, September 19, 2026 – 10:00 ⤏ 17:30 | Sunday, September 20, 2026 – 10:00 ⤏ 17:30
Public Transport Permit
Come to the RATP House and try to earn your public transport license through playful games designed to help you travel autonomously.
Recommended for ages: from CM2 to 5th grade
Participation requirements: Free | No reservation required
Opening times: Saturday, 19 September 2026 – 10:30–17:00 | Sunday, 20 September 2026 – 10:30–17:00
Guided talk and tour on the history of the cardboard ticket
Come to the RATP headquarters to attend a lecture led by Lise Brunet, a sociologist with the Sociovision Institute, and Grégoire Thonnat, a specialist and collector of transport tickets, who will offer a fresh perspective on the distinctive role cardboard tickets have played in the daily lives of several generations of riders.
Participation requirements: Free | No reservation required
Schedule: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM
Children's workshop with artist Kimie Quach at La Maison de la RATP
Children and their parents are invited to collaborate on artwork crafted from subway tickets with artist Kimie Quach. This drop-in workshop, no reservation required, will run from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., 1:30 to 3:00 p.m., and 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 19.
Participation requirements: Free | No booking required
Schedules: Sunday, September 20, 2026 — 10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m., 1:30 p.m.–3:00 p.m., 3:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
Dates and Opening Time
From September 19, 2026 to September 20, 2026
Location
Maison de la RATP
189 Rue de Bercy
75012 Paris 12
Route planner
Prices
Free
