Get out your diaries, the great cultural festival of the autumn is back: on September 20 and 21, 2025, the Journées du Patrimoine celebrate their 42nd edition in Paris and the Île-de-France region. As every year, this event gives the public the chance to visit thousands of famous and little-known sites in cities across the country.
Museums and castles, factories, backstage department stores, prestigious schools, theaters and gardens, as well as train station technical centers, historic monuments and hidden townhouses: French history and heritage come to life in these exceptional places, which open their doors to all visitors.
In Paris, the Heritage Days are an opportunity to discover some amazing sites, including a historic monument built by Gustave Eiffel himself... No, it's not the famous Tower! But an industrial laboratory designed to test the aerodynamic properties of aircraft and cars. This Eiffel wind tunnel, inaugurated in 1912, is still in operation today. The site rarely opens its doors to the public, so don't miss this opportunity to visit!
The Eiffel Wind Tunnel: how this jewel of our scientific heritage is still in operation after more than 120 years of service!
Everyone knows Gustave Eiffel for his works, but few are aware of his second career, devoted to the development of an emerging science at the beginning of the 20th century: aerodynamics.
From this second career was born, in 1912, the "Eiffel" Wind Tunnel, located in the heart of Paris, in the 16th arrondissement, and still in operation today!
After more than 120 years in operation, this jewel of our industrial heritage continues to support scientists and industrialists in the development of their innovations and the reliability of their products.
The wind tunnel was listed as a historic monument in 1996.
In 2001, the CSTB (Centre Scientifique et Technique du Bâtiment) bought the building and the Société d'Exploitation Aérodynamique Eiffel, which then became a subsidiary.
The wind tunnel's activities have evolved in line with the orientations and demands of industry and the scientific community.
And, of course, don't miss the special tours of the Eiffel Tower during these Paris Heritage Days.
Heritage Days 2025 at the Eiffel Tower: visit the machinery of the historic elevator
The Journées du Patrimoine (Heritage Days) take place this weekend, September 20 and 21, 2025, in Paris and the Île-de-France region. It's an opportunity to discover the secrets of the capital's most emblematic monument: the Eiffel Tower. We reveal the program! [Read more]
Dates and Opening Time
From September 20, 2025 to September 21, 2025
Location
Eiffel wind tunnel - Aerodynamics laboratory
67 Rue Boileau
75116 Paris 16
Prices
Free
Heritage Days 2025 at the Eiffel Tower: visit the machinery of the historic elevator
