Here comes the must-attend date for budding explorers! The Heritage Days await you each year on the third weekend of September to immerse you in a wealth of exciting discoveries. At every edition, we are invited to enjoy free tours, 'unusual activities and exceptional openings aimed at revealing our heritage from every angle.
In Paris and the Île-de-France region, numerous monuments and other fascinating spots are in the spotlight. From museums, embassies, churches, ministries, fashion houses,temples of craftsmanship, and much more, the Île-de-France region invites us on a treasure hunt, with so many options that it’s hard not to find outings that fit your passions.
The upcoming and 43rd edition is set to return on the weekend of 19 and 20 September 2026. And perhaps this time we should head to discover the Castles of Île-de-France? In particular, in Seine-et-Marne, the Château de Brie-Comte-Robert is unveiling its Heritage Days program. This fortress, a medieval relic, was erected in the 12th century. Partially destroyed over its history, the site now listed as a historic monument continues to be the subject of archaeological digs. The Château de Brie-Comte-Robert still has more of its story to tell and may well harbor more secrets.
Guided tour of the medieval Brie-Comte-Robert castle
### Built in 1160...
Come discover or rediscover the story of Brie-Comte-Robert's medieval castle!
Built in 1160 by Count Robert, the younger brother of King Louis VII of France, the castle has stood proudly at the heart of the town for centuries.
Enjoy privileged access to unpublished anecdotes as you tour alongside a volunteer passionate about the castle's history in Brie-Comte-Robert.
This encounter will also be an opportunity to discuss restoration and conservation methods for the monument.
You will especially learn how the association Les Amis du Vieux Château de Brie-Comte-Robert, responsible for the archaeological study and preservation of the site, organizes stone-cutting and medieval masonry workshops open to everyone to help reconstruct the lord's residence.
### Practical information :
* Departures: Saturday, September 19 at 2:00 PM, 3:30 PM and 5:00 PM; Sunday, September 20 at 11:00 AM, 4:00 PM and 5:30 PM.
Duration: 1h30.
Meeting point: In the castle courtyard (77170 Brie-Comte-Robert).
Participation conditions: Free | No reservation required
Hours: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 2:00 PM–3:30 PM, 3:30 PM–5:00 PM, 5:00 PM–6:30 PM | Sunday, September 20, 2026 — 11:00 AM–12:30 PM, 4:00 PM–5:30 PM, 5:30 PM–7:00 PM
In Search of Lost Heritage
Set off on an urban adventure through Brie’s streets and retrace the footsteps of a vanished heritage.
A family-friendly scavenger hunt
Participation requirements: Free | No reservation required
Hours: Saturday, September 19, 2026 – 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM | Sunday, September 20, 2026 – 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Guided tour of the archaeological site
An Unconventional Visit...
Step through doors that are usually off limits and uncover the behind‑the‑scenes of a 40-year human and scientific adventure.
Guided by the site’s archaeologist, we invite you to enter a real treasure trove of Brie history.
Nearly 30,000 objects were unearthed during the excavation campaigns led by the association Les Amis du Vieux Château de Brie-Comte-Robert.
This encounter offers a privileged immersion to understand conservation methodologies and the work required to make the relics speak.
### Information for visitors :
Duration: about 1 hour
Location: Archaeological base in the castle courtyard of Brie-Comte-Robert
Times: Saturday, September 19 at 2:15 p.m. and 3:45 p.m.; Sunday, September 20 at 1:30 p.m., 2:45 p.m. and 4:15 p.m.
Participation terms: Free | No reservation required
Times: Saturday, 19 September 2026 – 14:15 to 15:15, 15:45 to 16:45 | Sunday, 20 September 2026 – 13:30 to 14:30, 14:45 to 15:45, 16:15 to 17:15
Photo Exhibition: Gestures Recovered
### Photo Exhibition: Recovered Gestures
Through a series of photographs, this exhibition invites you to focus on the tools, hands, and gestures that shaped and elevated the medieval heritage of the Château de Brie-Comte-Robert.
Several disciplines of excellence are highlighted: stone carving, calligraphy, and the art of pavement tiles.
Let yourself be carried away by these crafts, living witnesses to our history.
Conditions of participation: Free | No reservation required
Hours: Saturday, September 19, 2026, 2:30 PM–7:00 PM | Sunday, September 20, 2026, 10:00 AM–12:30 PM, 2:30 PM–7:00 PM
Stone-cutting demonstration
### An indispensable craft
Following the exposure of the built structures, the Friends of the Old Castle of Brie-Comte-Robert have drawn up a restoration and enhancement program for the site.
For nearly 30 years, volunteers have been trained in stone carving and are restoring the castle.
The stone carving is the first essential link in the effort to bring this 12th‑century building back to life, with the work carried out in line with the decisions made with the chief architect of historical monuments.
Discover, through conversations with our stone masons, the challenges they face in restoring the castle.
### Practical information :
Location: under the lodge in the castle courtyard
Hours: Saturday and Sunday from 2:30 PM to 7:00 PM
Feel free to ask questions!
Participation conditions: Free | No reservation required
Schedule: Saturday, September 19, 2026, 2:30 PM–7:00 PM | Sunday, September 20, 2026, 2:30 PM–7:00 PM
Kids' workshops - In the courtyard of Brie-Comte-Robert Castle
### Little builders, big plans!
Come transform the castle courtyard into a genuine playground for architecture. Kids are invited to step into the shoes of medieval builders.
On the menu: a castle puzzle, technical challenges, reconstructing arches in polystyrene, and a host of playful hands-on activities.
We’re inviting our budding builders to take on these challenges!
### Practical information
Hours: Saturday, September 19 from 2:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, September 20 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 2:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Location: In the courtyard of the Brie-Comte-Robert medieval castle
Participation conditions: Free | No reservation required
Hours : Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 2:30 PM to 7:00 PM | Sunday, September 20, 2026 — 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM, 2:30 PM to 7:00 PM
Permanent Exhibition: Over 30,000 archaeological artifacts uncovered!
### 44 years of excavations...
Since 1982, more than 30,000 archaeological objects have been uncovered by excavation campaigns led by the association the Friends of the Old Castle of Brie-Comte-Robert.
A permanent exhibition, created and run by the association, showcases the discoveries and the historical research passionately pursued by the volunteers.
All this work has revealed a wide diversity of objects dating from the 12th century to the present day.
This exhibition invites the public to discover the essential role played by the castle and the town of Brie-Comte-Robert since the Middle Ages.
Eligibility: Free | No reservation required
Hours: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 2:30 PM ⤏ 6:30 PM | Sunday, September 20, 2026 — 10:00 AM ⤏ 12:30 PM, 2:30 PM ⤏ 7:00 PM
Photographing the Heritage
Photographing Heritage
Keep an eye out for the treasures of our cultural heritage and learn how to showcase them with your camera or smartphone. You’ll walk away with a fresh perspective… and some stunning shots.
With photographer Jean-Charles Léon
Participation requirements: Free | No reservation required
Schedule: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 2:30 PM–3:30 PM, 4:00 PM–5:00 PM
Conference: Stone carving in the modern world
### Stone carving in the modern world
Timothé Cayre
It is with immense pride and satisfaction that we invite you to this exceptional conference, part of Heritage Days.
We are honored to welcome Timothé Cayre, a flagship figure of our association whose journey is a genuine source of inspiration.
He began his path as a volunteer stone carver with our association, Les Amis du Vieux Château. He has turned his vocation into real expertise.
After deepening his engagement as a civic service member and then as staff, he left the organization, only to return with renewed energy.
He trained, earned his qualifications, and became a professional stone carver. Beyond his core duties, he now leads the stone-carving workshops and oversees the volunteer projects at the château.
He presents his topic of study: Stone carving in the modern world. A reflection on the stakes of using materials often treated as belonging to the "old world."
### Practical information
Location: Centre d'interprétation du Patrimoine (CIP) of the Château de Brie-Comte-Robert
Duration: 1 hour
Time: Saturday, September 19 at 6:30 p.m.
Participation conditions: Free | No booking required
Times: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Round table: why and how to integrate contemporary buildings into a listed historic monument? The case of the Château de Brie-Comte-Robert
### Round Table
Sophie Vatin, architect
A tribute to Jean-Claude SÉMON, her collaborator.
Why and how to integrate contemporary architecture into a listed historic monument?
We have the honor of welcoming architect Sophie VATIN for a cross-disciplinary reflection on the philosophy and the choices that govern integrating and building the contemporary within a listed monument.
Sophie VATIN, the architect who, with Jean-Claude SÉMON, helped advance the château's enhancement project. Under their leadership and in collaboration with the association The Friends of Brie-Comte-Robert's Old Castle, the CIP and the archaeological base were conceived and built.
Through this round table, Sophie will illuminate the decisions that allow historic architecture to embrace contemporary creation.
Together, we will contribute to this discussion.
### Practical information:
Location: Château de Brie-Comte-Robert, in the CIP
Time: Sunday, September 20, 2:30 PM
Duration: 1 hour
Participation requirements: Free | No reservation required
Schedule: Sunday, September 20, 2026 — 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM
Dates and Opening Time
From September 19, 2026 to September 20, 2026
Location
Chateau de Brie-Comte-Robert
Brie-Comte-Robert
77170 Brie Comte Robert
Route planner
Accessibility info
Prices
Free
Official website
amisduvieuxchateau.org
