Heritage Days 2026: schedule and tours at the National Institute for Deaf Children in Paris

The Journées du Patrimoine, created in 1984 by the French Ministry of Culture, is a not-to-be-missed event for history and culture lovers. Held every year on the third weekend of September, this major event gives the public the chance to discover places throughout France that are usually closed or not easily accessible. In Paris, these days are an opportunity to visit emblematic monuments, museums and administrative buildings, as well as lesser-known sites steeped in history and anecdotes.

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During Heritage Days 2026, a multitude of Parisian and Île-de-France sites will open their doors to the public. Among the essentials, be sure to tour the Palais de l'Élysée, the Panthéon, and the Louvre Museum, which will offer guided tours and exclusive activities. In Île-de-France, landmarks such as the Château de Versailles and the Basilica of Saint-Denis will also welcome visitors for new discoveries. The days will be filled with exhibitions, lectures and workshops for all ages, delivering a unique immersion into French heritage.

TheInstitut National des Jeunes Sourds in Paris is one of those places usually closed to the public, and it's worth discovering during these days. Founded in 1760 by Abbé de l'Épée, this was the first establishment in the world designed to teach young deaf people. Located in the historic Saint-Jacques district in the 5th arrondissement, it played a crucial role in the development of French sign language (LSF). During your visit, you can explore the institute's historic buildings, watch LSF demonstrations, and discover the fascinating history of this pioneering institution.

The 2026 Heritage Days lineup at the National Institute for Deaf Youth in Paris:

• Self-guided tour of the exhibition and an introduction to sign language at the Paris Deaf Institute

  French Sign Language, an intangible cultural heritage, is it at risk? Come visit its cradle, and learn its practice under the guidance of our senior students. Come see our exhibition (FALC notices) about this language, so beautiful and yet little known. You’ll also be able to view the Gallo-Roman pottery kiln, the gardens, our 17th‑century staircase protected as a historic monument, the historic library, the chapel, and the community hall.

  Participation conditions: Free entry, free of charge, accessible for people with reduced mobility, audience with special needs (FALC/LSF) - Free | No reservations required

  Hours: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM

• Guided tour of the exhibition and an introduction to sign language at the Paris Institute for the Deaf

  Come and discover the convent buildings, the masterpieces of cabinetmaking, the Chapel, the balneotherapy room, the grand courtyard, the rose garden, and the heritage library—within the world's oldest surviving school for the deaf still in operation. You can get a taste of French Sign Language in workshops led by our senior students. Playful and expressive, Sign Language is a remarkable heritage, conceived by deaf people themselves as soon as they were gathered by our Founder, the Abbé de l'Épée, before the French Revolution.

  Participation terms: Free | No reservation required

  Schedule: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.