Journées du Patrimoine 2026 at the Museum of Life in Times Gone By: set off to discover the trades of days gone by.

The European Heritage Days take place every year on the third weekend of September, and in 2026 they will be held on Saturday, September 19 and Sunday, September 20. This event opens up a wide range of cultural, historical, and architectural sites to free entry or reduced rates, often closed or hard to reach otherwise. In Paris, this major celebration offers a rich lineup of guided tours, workshops, concerts, and activities at iconic venues such as Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Cinemathèque, and the Petit Palais, welcoming families, history enthusiasts, and art lovers alike.

At the Museum of Life in Days Gone By, located in Ormes-sur-Voulzie, the 2026 edition offers a playful immersion into more than 20 traditional trades, to be explored inside the galleries and in the museum’s garden, open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The event is designed with children in mind, with interactive demonstrations, games and entertainment, allowing the whole family to immerse themselves in the daily life of yesteryear. Admission is at the usual rate, with tickets available online or on site: a unique program that blends history, craftsmanship and entertainment, ideal for the curious looking for a weekend of cultural fun.

Heritage Days 2026 program at the Museum of Life in Olden Times:

Period recreations, old-time games and trades at the Museum of Life in Times Gone By
September 19–20, 2026

A living-history event with traditional games and old-time trades

Event

This event, designed especially for children, invites families to step back into everyday life of the past in a playful setting! Join us in the museum’s park on September 19–20, 2026, from 10 a.m.

Bring the family to immerse yourselves in this unique reconstruction and discover a host of games and more than 20 historic trades.

In the park or at the Museum you’ll encounter a dog-trainer presenting clever tricks, a stallholder selling mills and curios, a seller of forgotten wares, and a dealer in rat poison — among many long-lost trades to discover or rediscover.

In partnership with our friends at the Napoleonic Society of the Pays de Montereau.

Prices:

Access to the village only: €5

All of the old trades are accessible with a visit to the Museum of Life in Old Times, at the usual rates.

Tickets are available through our online ticketing or at the Museum’s reception.

Additional information:

Museum of Life in Old Times – Reception

📍 Chemin de Frilure, 77134 Les Ormes-sur-Voulzie

📞 Phone: +33 (0)1 60 58 72 07

💻 Email: museevieautrefois@orange.fr
Participation terms: Access to the village on its own: €5. The full range of traditional crafts is available during a visit to the Museum of Life in Old Times, at the usual rates. - No booking required | Special rate
Schedule: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 10:00–19:00 | Sunday, September 20, 2026 — 10:00–19:00

This page may contain AI-assisted elements, more information here.