Heritage Days 2026: behind the scenes, stations... the full RATP program in Île-de-France

For Parisians and the Île-de-France residents, public transport is part of daily life. The metro, bus, tram—so familiar that you might think you know them by heart. And yet the RATP still has plenty of secrets to reveal. The company invites you to take part in special tours along the various lines of its network, on September 19 and 20, 2026, to mark the 43rd edition of the Heritage Days.

If you've never taken part in this great cultural and popular celebration, get ready to be seduced. Launched for the first time in France in 1984, the Journées du Patrimoine (Heritage Days) return every September to open the doors of thousands of sites all over France. From the country's most famous monuments to hidden curiosities in the depths of a village, visitors enjoy a weekend of discovery.

• To be read
• This week's best deals in Paris and Île-de-France for August 10–16, 2026

If you're in one of theÎle-de-France departments during these Heritage Days, don't miss the RATP tours. Please note that many of these tours are only available with registration.

The Paris program:

Heritage Days 2026: discover the secrets and hidden spots of RATP in Paris
RATP is taking part in the 43rd edition of Heritage Days with a journey across the entire transport network, exploring the metro in a playful way. Animations, exclusive experiences, tours... See you in Paris on September 19 and 20, 2026! [Read more]

RATP's lineup for Heritage Days:

Montreuil — RATP Signage Workshop

• Tour of the RATP Signage Workshop

  Visit the signage workshop, where directional panels, station names, and iconic landmarks are designed and maintained to guide travelers daily in metro stations and RER hubs.

  Online inscriptions on Journées européennes du patrimoine : rendez-vous en septembre 2026 | RATP

  Participation conditions: Free | Reservation required - https://www.ratp.fr/decouvrir/patrimoine/journees-europeennes-du-patrimoine

  Hours: Saturday, September 19, 2026 - 08:15 ⤏ 14:45 | Sunday, September 20, 2026 - 08:15 ⤏ 14:45

Saint-Germain-en-Laye - RATP Archives

• Tour of the RATP archives

  Come along on a guided tour of the RATP archives, where a wealth of valuable documents gathers—testimonies to the history of transport in Île-de-France, including maps, metro tickets, posters, photos, and more...

  Online registrations on Journées européennes du patrimoine : rendez-vous en septembre 2026 | RATP

  Participation requirements: Free of charge | Booking required - https://www.ratp.fr/decouvrir/patrimoine/journees-europeennes-du-patrimoine

  Hours: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 10:00 ⤏ 16:00 | Sunday, September 20, 2026 — 10:00 ⤏ 16:00

Are you passionate about the world of rails and trains? Here are a few ideas for outings during this exceptional weekend.

Heritage Days 2026: stations and trains to visit for rail enthusiasts
Young and old alike, trains and stations captivate a wide audience. If you’re among them, rejoice: many railway sites will be open to visitors on 19 and 20 September 2026 for Heritage Days. [Read more]