The Heritage Days, scheduled for September 19 and 20, 2026, offer a chance to uncover the hidden gems of French heritage. This annual event invites curious minds to dive into the history of iconic sites that are often off-limits for most of the year. It’s also the perfect occasion for culture and history enthusiasts to experience an immersive journey at extraordinary venues. And among the highlights on the program for this 43rd edition, the Pasteur Institute, in Paris, opens its doors to reveal a pinnacle of science and medical research.
The Institut Pasteur, founded in 1887 by the famed Louis Pasteur, stands as a true beacon of scientific research. This world‑renowned center has played a pivotal role in medical breakthroughs of the 20th century, particularly in the field of infectious diseases. The InstitutPasteur is an institution that has left an indelible mark on the history of medicine. Located in the 15th arrondissement of Paris, it also houses the Pasteur Museum (currently closed for renovation).
During the Heritage Days,Institut Pasteur invites you to go behind the scenes and relive the great scientific discoveries that have changed the world. It's a great opportunity to follow in the footsteps of the greatest researchers, and to learn more about current research.
Exploring the Pasteur Institute
On the occasion of European Heritage Days, the Pasteur Institute is pleased to open its doors to you. Dive into the history and mission of a landmark in science!
On the program:
- Encounters with researchers: passionate researcher duos will welcome you at every step to share their scientific work and the site’s history.
- A tour of places steeped in history: explore the behind-the-scenes of an institute that has shaped science since 1888.
Participation terms: Registration link coming soon - Free | Booking required - https://journeesdupatrimoine.culture.gouv.fr/
Schedule: Saturday, September 19, 2026 - 2:00 PM ⤏ 6:00 PM | Sunday, September 20, 2026 - 2:00 PM ⤏ 6:00 PM
Visit to the Pasteur Institute's Ultrastructural Bioimaging Platform
Dive into the heart of the infinitesimally small at the Pasteur Institute!
For European Heritage Days, the Pasteur Institute’s Ultrustructural Bioimaging platform is opening its doors to the public for a special, one-off visit.
Come discover electron microscopy, a fascinating technology that lets us glimpse the tiniest details of life, invisible with a conventional microscope.
What you’ll see on this tour:
• Learn how samples are prepared and imaged at the atomic scale to reveal the structure of infectious agents.
• Delve into bioimaging and observe living systems using state-of-the-art imaging technologies.
• Talk with the scientists and discover the diversity of their professions. From cutting-edge research to training international researchers, they’ll explain how they share their know-how in daily practice.
Registration required: link to follow. Maximum 10 participants per tour.
Tour duration: 45 minutes.
Participation terms: Limited to 10 people per visit. - Free | Reservation required - musee@pasteur.fr
Hours: Saturday, 19 September 2026 from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM | Sunday, 20 September 2026 from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Visit to the Pasteur Institute's Photon Bioimaging Technology Platform
Dive into the world of the infinitesimally small at the Pasteur Institute!
On the occasion of European Heritage Days, the Pasteur Institute's Bioimaging and Photonics Technology Platform is opening its doors to the public for a rare, exceptional visit.
As a cutting-edge technology and service unit, its mission is to provide optical imaging expertise for the life sciences, with a focus on infection biology. During this tour, you'll see how scientists use imaging to observe living systems and understand in real time how viruses and bacteria infect our cells.
What to expect on the tour:
• Go behind the scenes of research and see how scientists push the boundaries of physics to film life at the cellular scale.
• Watch how innovations in research and development enable visualization of host–pathogen interactions with different types of microscopes, opening the door to new therapies.
• Meet multidisciplinary teams who share their expertise daily with scientists around the world.
Registration required. A maximum of 10 people per tour.
Tour duration: 45 minutes.
Participation requirements: Limited to 10 people per tour. - Booking required | Free - musee@pasteur.fr
Schedule: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 2:00 PM–6:00 PM
Lady Pipette Takes the Stage
What if science could be experienced differently?
A microbiologist, rapper and advocate for outreach, Yaëlle Wormser, aka Lady Pipette, is a PhD candidate at the Institut Pasteur and the 2026 recipient of the jury prize at the national final of Ma Thèse en 180 secondes. On stage, she turns her tuberculosis research into an artful, both funny and enlightening, performance, blending urban music with scientific communication to prove that research can make you move as much as think.
Registration required: link to come
Participation requirements: Free | Booking required - musee@pasteur.fr
Schedule: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM
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Dates and Opening Time
From September 19, 2026 to September 20, 2026
Location
Pasteur Institute
25, rue du Dr Roux
75015 Paris 15
Route planner
Accessibility info
Prices
Free
Booking
www.eventbrite.fr
