The Journées du Patrimoine, scheduled for September 20 and 21, 2025, is a not-to-be-missed event for all lovers of history and culture. Every year, this exceptional weekend enables the general public to discover emblematic sites that are often closed to the public for the rest of the year. It's also a unique opportunity to delve into the history of France through its monuments and institutions. Among this year's not-to-be-missed sites, the Maison Saint-Sulpice in Paris opens its doors to you for an original visit.
Located in the heart of Paris's 6th arrondissement, the Maison Saint-Sulpice is a place steeped in history. This former seminary, built in the 17th century, played a central role in the training of Parisian clergy. With its elegant architecture and vast gardens, the Maison Saint-Sulpice is a real jewel hidden in the middle of the capital. This historic building, originally designed to train the priests of the Saint-Sulpice parish, is also a living testimony to the religious and cultural influence of the period. Today, the Maison continues to shine through its spiritual and cultural activities, while preserving its charm of yesteryear.
During the Journées du Patrimoine, the Maison Saint-Sulpice invites you to discover its fascinating history and spaces usually closed to the public. It's a rare opportunity to stroll through its history-filled corridors, admire its period architecture and works of art, and explore its peaceful gardens. Visitors can also learn more about the Maison's current missions and its spiritual heritage.
* The exhibition traces the history of the Sulpicians' seminary, which became the diocesan seminary of Paris under the Concordat of 1801. In the midst of a profoundly changing society slowly moving towards secularization, the Séminaire Saint-Sulpice succeeded in maintaining and renewing the field of ecclesiastical studies in France. Drawing vocations from many countries, it contributed to the formation of a native clergy in Africa and Asia before the decolonizations.
* From the 17th to the 20th century, the Saint-Sulpice seminary simultaneously occupied two different sites: one in Paris (near Saint-Sulpice church, then rue du Regard), the other in Issy-les-Moulineaux (photo above).
* Explanatory panels and numerous labels will accompany the works of art, old engravings and archival documents on display.
The exhibition will be freely accessible as part of the European Heritage Days on Saturday, September 20.
It will also be open from Tuesday September 16 to Friday September 19, and again on Monday September 22 and Tuesday September 23 (9.30am-6pm).
A former major seminary, with its chapel, garden, library, various halls and 46 rooms, this religious house is now the headquarters of the Compagnie des Prêtres de Saint-Sulpice, founded in Paris in 1642 and present in 16 countries.
All day Saturday, September 20: free tour of the chapel and main rooms on the first floor:
* Salle Pierre de Bérulle (Sulpician dining room, 3 early paintings).
* Salle Jacques-André Emery.
* Library and historical archive workroom.
* Recently restored chapel.
* Sacristy.
* Salle Saint-Jean (with open-air exhibition "Histoire du Séminaire Saint-Sulpice de la Révolution à nos jours").
* Salle du Conseil (also known as Salle Jean-Jacques Olier).
Guided tours of the Grand Chapelle and Salle Olier are available at 10 am, 11 am, 3 pm and 5 pm (free access outside these times).
For more information on these guided tours and the exhibition, visit the European Heritage Days website.
Please note: no tours on Sunday 21.
Photo: Mass for the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, February 2, 2022.
A former major seminary, with its chapel, garden, library, various rooms and 46 bedrooms, the "Maison Saint-Sulpice" is today the headquarters of the Compagnie des Prêtres de Saint-Sulpice, founded in Paris in 1642 and present in 16 countries.
Located near the entrance, the beautiful "Salle Olier" was once the "grand parloir", the place where visitors were welcomed. It is now the Salle du Conseil, the room where regular meetings of the Sulpicians' governing bodies are held.
This room is almost never open to the public. Particularly valuable works of art have been brought together here as historical mementos: paintings from the 18th and 20th centuries (Pierre Mignard, Hyacinthe Rigaud, Peter Gray) and several astonishing pieces of religious silverware: a Pekingese chalice from the early 20th century, a chalice given by Pope Pius XI to Cardinal Verdier, Archbishop of Paris and Superior General of the Society, and more.
The works will be presented by a leading expert. A Sulpician will also be on hand to answer questions about the organization of the Compagnie de Saint-Sulpice. He will also explain why the Sulpician tradition places such importance on the "collegial exercise of responsibilities" (i.e. councils).
This chapel was built in 1910 in the neo-Romanesque style. At that time, a major work was transported here: the painting La Descente du Saint-Esprit sur les Apôtres___,_ painted by Charles LE BRUN in the 1650s, for the first seminary of Saint-Sulpice. In the 1960s, architect Pierre PINSARD remodeled the church, installing a new altar, a beautiful travertine floor and stained glass windows by painter and master glassworker Léon ZACK. Restoration work (lighting and painting) began in April and will be completed for the European Heritage Days.
The chapel is used several times a day by the Sulpicians, by the other priests who live at the Maison and by the nuns who welcome visitors. The photo above was taken last June, when renovation work had already begun. The temporary lighting particularly highlights the beautiful blue ceiling, which will be preserved as is.
Open to the general public, the presentations will explain the history of the chapel, its liturgical function and the works of art housed there.
After the presentations, visitors can linger in the chapel and sacristy to admire an exhibition of "paramentique" (9 chasubles and other "ornaments" from the 19th and early 20th centuries).
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Dates and Opening Time
On September 20, 2025
Location
House Saint-Sulpice
6 Rue du Regard
75006 Paris 6
Access
Metro line 4 "Saint-Sulpice" station
Prices
Free
Official website
journeesdupatrimoine.culture.gouv.fr
