What if the Journées du patrimoine became the chance to trace your ancestors? On Saturday, September 19, 2026, the Seine-et-Marne Departmental Archives, in Dammarie-les-Lys, will invite the public to go behind the scenes and gain a clearer understanding of the work done by those who safeguard the memory of the territory.
Created to collect, classify, preserve, and communicate the documents produced in the department, the Departmental Archives house a wide array of historical sources. Parish registers, civil status records, censuses, maps, photographs, administrative documents, or private archives allow the story of the evolution of municipalities, families, and daily life to be traced in Seine-et-Marne.
This site isn’t just for seasoned historians. Private individuals can also conduct their own research here, especially to piece together their family tree. A name, a birth date, or a marriage place can sometimes be enough to open a lead and gradually trace the thread of a family story.
The Heritage Days are precisely about opening up sites, collections, and know‑how that are sometimes little known to a broad audience. In Dammarie-les-Lys, they offer a rare look inside a facility central to preserving the region’s memory, while showing how archivists organize and pass along documents spanning several centuries.
Genealogy 101: Getting Started with Your Family History
How do you build a family tree and trace a family’s history? Where to start? What sources should you consult? What are the limits? Where can you find information beyond civil records? If you’re eager to begin genealogical research but aren’t sure how to get started, this introductory workshop is for you. You’ll become familiar with the various archives and the different types of documents.
Participation requirements: Booking essential | Free - https://archives.seine-et-marne.fr/fr/resa-jep2026
Hours: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 10:00–12:00, 2:00–4:00 PM
Clue Hunt "énigm'archives"
A ghost checks into the archives tower for the holidays. Step into the shoes of a team of archivists to outsmart its tricks and keep it from turning the place upside down. A puzzle game that reveals, in a playful way, the backstage world of archives.
Participation requirements: Reservation required | Free - https://archives.seine-et-marne.fr/fr/resa-jep2026
Schedule: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 10:00–11:30
Guided Tours: Behind the Scenes at the Archives
For these European Heritage Days, take a guided tour through the labyrinth of archive repositories and uncover a curated selection of archival treasures centered on endangered heritage.
Participation requirements: Free | Booking required - https://archives.seine-et-marne.fr/fr/resa-jep2026
Schedules: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 2:00–3:00 PM, 4:00–5:00 PM
Workshop "Written Heritage at Risk"
In this workshop tied to the annual theme of the European Heritage Days, children discover the dangers facing our written heritage and the measures in place to safeguard it. Moving behind the scenes—from the archives to the restoration workshop—the conservation mission will be explored through authentic examples from the Middle Ages to today. Guided by facilitators, they will then design their own posters to raise awareness of proper care and creatively consider how memory is handed down to future generations.
Participation requirements: Free | Booking required - https://archives.seine-et-marne.fr/fr/resa-jep2026
Schedule: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
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Dates and Opening Time
On September 19, 2026
Location
Seine-et-Marne Departmental Archives
248 Avenue Charles Prieur
77190 Dammarie les Lys
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