Heritage Days 2026: Behind the scenes of photographic conservation in Paris

Forget the standard tourist circuit zoom and get ready to spark your curiosity... The European Heritage Days on September 19th and 20th, 2026 open doors to sites that are sometimes little known or even closed to the public, offering two days of free access. Iconic museums, major institutions, artist residences or unusual venues open their doors for visits, turning every discovery into a moment to capture.

Heritage Days 2026: celebrating craftsmanship and know-how in Paris and Île-de-France
The Journées du Patrimoine sweep into Paris and Île-de-France for the weekend of September 19–20, 2026. It’s a chance to dive into the heart of the region’s craftsmanship and know-how. Here are the can’t-miss visits in the Paris area. [Read more]

In Paris, one of the edition’s highlights is a tour of the department for the preservation of photographic heritage, which will be showcased Friday, September 18. Created in 1983 by Anne Cartier-Bresson, niece of the legendary photographer, this unit—now known as D3P—is responsible for 16 million photographic objects kept in the city’s museums, archives, and patrimonial libraries.

Since 2018 led by Agnès Gall-Ortlik, a team of about ten specialists operates like a true photography hospital: four conservator-restorers perform assessments, diagnostics, and tailor treatments for each photographic process, ensuring every image preserves its grain and texture for the next two centuries. Three conservation technicians dust, condition, and package photographs in appropriate sleeves and boxes, while the registrar manages their movement from intake to departure. Each intervention is designed to be discreet yet precise, safeguarding the legibility and longevity of these visual treasures.

Heritage Days 2026 program at the Department for the Preservation of Photographic Heritage in Paris: