Heritage Days 2026: an architectural tour of the Memorial to the Martyrs of Deportation

On the occasion of Heritage Days 2026, discover the Memorial to the Martyrs of Deportation, a memorial site located on Île de la Cité in Paris. Immerse yourself in the history of those deported during World War II and enjoy this moving, free visit, exceptionally open to the public on September 19 and 20. A must-attend event for all history and heritage enthusiasts.

The Heritage Days are back for the weekend of September 19–20, 2026, offering once again the chance to discover France’s cultural and historical treasures. Over these two days, monuments, museums, and other notable sites open their doors to the public, mostly free. It’s the perfect opportunity to visit places that are often closed the rest of the year and to dive into the history and architecture of our country. One of the emblematic sites not to be missed this year is the Memorial to the Martyrs of Deportation, a poignant tribute to the victims of the Second World War.

Located on theIle de la Cité in Paris, the Mémorial des Martyrs de la Déportation was inaugurated in 1962. The monument, designed by architect Georges-Henri Pingusson, is dedicated to the 200,000 French deportees who were sent to Nazi concentration camps between 1940 and 1945. With its sober, symbolic architecture, it immerses visitors in an atmosphere of contemplation and reflection. The long, narrow, dark stone corridor leads to a crypt where an eternal flame burns in tribute to the victims, reminding us of the importance of collective memory.

This site, less well known than other Parisian monuments, offers a visit imbued with gravity and emotion. It's the perfect opportunity to discover a place steeped in history, while paying tribute to those who suffered during one of humanity's darkest periods. Take advantage of these Heritage Days to immerse yourself in this essential page of our history, and let this place remind you of the importance of memory and peace.

The 2026 Heritage Days program at the Memorial to the Martyrs of Deportation:

Memorial to the Martyrs of Deportation - Self-guided Visit
### Free Visits to the Memorial of Deportation Martyrs

Flash tours on request

In the heart of Paris and inaugurated in 1962, the memorial honors all those deported from France. A symbol-filled space that invites reflection, it stands as a powerful reminder of the past.

The Memorial of the Deportation Martyrs on Île de la Cité, conceived by the Départment/Réseau du souvenir association and entrusted to architect Georges-Henri Pingusson, was unveiled on April 12, 1962, in the presence of General de Gaulle.

Distinctive in its approach, the site evokes some core aspects of the concentration camp experience—imprisonment, oppression, the impossibility of escape. By inviting visitors to move through its spaces, the memorial fosters contemplation.

To extend the memorial’s reach and impact to a broad audience, an accompanying educational route was launched in April 1975. The renovated version presented in spring 2016 builds on this plan, and its new interpretive display—grounded in recent historical research—lets visitors study the particularities of the various deportations while placing them within the nation’s tribute.

Open from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (last entry at 5:45 p.m.), with flash tours available all day upon request.
Participation conditions: Open from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. (last entry at 5:45 p.m.), flash tours available all day on request. Free. - Free | No reservation required
Hours: Saturday, 19 September 2026, 09:30–18:00 | Sunday, 20 September 2026, 09:30–18:00
Guided tours “Architecture in the Service of Memory” — Memorial to the Martyrs of Deportation
### Guided Tours “Architecture at the Service of Memory”

At 11:00 and 3:00 PM

How do you safeguard a masterpiece of modernist architecture—designed for eternity yet tested by time and the fragility of its own materials?

On the occasion of European Heritage Days, under the theme “Heritage in Danger,” rediscover the Memorial to the Martyrs of Deportation through the eyes of its architect, Georges-Henri Pingusson (1894-1978). Inaugurated by General de Gaulle in April 1962 on the tip of Île de la Cité, this monument, classified as a historic monument in 2007, stands as one of the major achievements of this figure of the French modernist movement, who shaped the century with a rigorous and sensitive approach to space. Yet this bold architectural gesture, carved in raw concrete on the banks of the Seine, now poses the specific challenges of 20th-century heritage conservation: wear of time on its materials, misuses tied to tourist footfall, and the vicissitudes of its urban surroundings, notably the redevelopment works around Notre-Dame. Part architectural lesson, part memory site, the Memorial to the Martyrs of Deportation bears witness to the culture and sensitivity of its designer.
Participation conditions: Free – Registration for themed guided tours – Aged 10 and up. Free, accessible self-guided visit – Architecture tour not accessible for those with reduced mobility. Free | Booking required - https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Kj6Qtfz-BywndGQfu74fYpsKbovkdXNYjWtYF-RPZds/edit?usp=sharing
Hours: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 11:00–12:00, 3:00–4:00 PM | Sunday, September 20, 2026 — 11:00–12:00, 3:00–4:00 PM

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