Journées du Patrimoine 2025 at the Department for the preservation of Paris' photographic heritage

Museums, unusual places and major institutions open their doors to make the Journées du Patrimoine 2025 a festival of discovery. In Paris, from Friday September 19, immerse yourself in the 16 million images preserved by the Department of Photographic Heritage.

Forget the usual tourist trails and get ready to spark your curiosity… The European Heritage Days, taking place on September 20 and 21, 2025, open the doors to a range of sites—some little known, others usually closed to the public. Iconic museums, major cultural institutions, artists’ studios, or unusual hidden spots welcome visitors for special tours—each discovery becoming a moment worth capturing.

Heritage Days 2025: craft and know-how sites in Paris and the Île-de-France region
The Journées du Patrimoine (Heritage Days) are coming to Paris and the Ile-de-France region this weekend, September 20-21, 2025. How would you like to take advantage of this opportunity to delve into the heart of craftsmanship and know-how in the Paris region? Here are the not-to-be-missed tours in the Paris region. [Read more]

In Paris, one of the highlights this year is the guided tour of the Department for the Preservation of Photographic Heritage, scheduled for Friday, September 19. Established in 1983 by Anne Cartier-Bresson, the niece of the renowned photographer, this department—now called D3P—oversees 16 million photographic objects stored across the city's museums, archives, and heritage libraries.

Since 2018, under the leadership of Agnès Gall-Ortlik, a team of about ten specialists operates like a true photographic hospital: four conservator-restorers assess and diagnose images, tailor treatments to each photographic technique, and ensure that every picture retains its grain and quality for the next 200 years. Meanwhile, three conservation technicians meticulously dust and pack photographs into custom folders and boxes, while the logistics manager oversees their movement from intake to storage. Every step is carefully planned to be discreet yet thorough, safeguarding the visual treasures’ readability and longevity.

Heritage Days 2025 Program at the Department for the Preservation of Photographic Heritage in Paris:

Visit to the Department for the Preservation of the Photographic Heritage of the City of Paris
friday, september 19, 2025 - 10:00 ⤏ 11:00
Discover how the City of Paris cares for its photographic heritage by visiting the D3P and its recently installed workshop at Porte de la Chapelle. Teams of restorers study and treat photographs from the City of Paris' libraries, archives and museums.

Reservations required for this event.

Places are limited, so please unsubscribe if you are unable to attend.

The exact meeting place will be communicated to you when you register online. Please arrive 10 minutes early.

The registration link will be activated on September 10, 2025.