La Cité du Cinéma kicks off its grand inauguration weekend for the 2026 Heritage Days.

The European Heritage Days put heritage in the spotlight on September 19 and 20, 2026. In Paris and Île-de-France, over a weekend, the free tours, special openings, events and behind-the-scenes glimpses offer the chance to see familiar places in a whole new light. Museums, castles, grand townhouses, ministries, institutions, theatres, libraries, artisan workshops or sites usually closed to the public are part of the lineup for this major cultural celebration. And among the venues gracing the program this year, the Cité du Cinéma also promises a rich sequence of discoveries.

Heritage Days 2026: the top picks to discover in Seine-Saint-Denis (93)
Heritage Days unveil a rich program in Seine-Saint-Denis on September 19 and 20, 2026. The 93 department opens the doors of its century‑old factories and buildings. Here are the can't-miss highlights for this edition. [Read more]

September 19 and 20, 2026, the Cité du Cinéma opens its doors for the European Heritage Days. Located in Saint-Denis in a restored Art Deco power plant, this site conceived by Luc Besson has become a hub for cinema and audiovisual creation. Long off-limits to the public and mainly used for shoots and industry professionals, it now welcomes visitors with exhibitions, events, and immersive experiences dedicated to the seventh art. For the Heritage Days, guests will get to step behind the scenes and discover the workings of this iconic venue.

• To be read
• This week's best deals in Paris and Île-de-France, August 10–16, 2026

Heritage Days 2026 program at the Cité du Cinéma:

• The City Goes to the Movies: a grand opening for the new Cité du Cinéma! Screenings

  On the occasion of the European Heritage Days, the Cité du Cinéma swings open its doors. For two days, enjoy a free slate of screenings to discover this new cultural and events venue in Greater Paris, perfect for family or friends.

  Participation requirements: Free | Reservation required - https://laciteducinema.fr/

  Schedule: Saturday, September 19, 2026 - 11:00 ⤏ 18:00 | Sunday, September 20, 2026 - 11:00 ⤏ 18:00

• The City Goes to the Movies: the grand opening of the new City of Cinema!

  On the occasion of the European Heritage Days, the Cité du Cinéma opens its doors wide. Over two days, enjoy a free program blending concerts, dance performances, immersive theatre happenings, workshops, and participatory experiences, inviting families and friends to explore this new cultural and event hub in Greater Paris.

  Paris Dance Project, which will settle at the Cité du Cinéma starting in September, will present two emblematic works from the contemporary choreography scene. With We Gather in the Embers of the Noise That Burns, choreographer Idio Chichava offers an immersive performance where dance, voice, and presence create a collective, sensory, almost ritual experience. Strangling Time, Sketchbook imagined by Emmanuelle Huynh and Boris Charmatz around Ravel’s Boléro, invites the audience to experience a suspended moment, between movement and music.

  Participation terms: Free of charge | Booking required - https://laciteducinema.fr/

  Hours: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 11:00 to 18:00 | Sunday, September 20, 2026 — 11:00 to 18:00

• The City Goes to the Movies: the grand opening of the new Cité du Cinéma! Exhibition

  As European Heritage Days arrive, the Cité du Cinéma swings its doors wide open. Over two days, enjoy a free lineup of exhibitions and discover this new cultural and events hub for Greater Paris, with family or friends.

  Participation requirements: Free | Booking required - https://laciteducinema.fr/

  Opening hours: Saturday, September 19, 2026 – 11:00–18:00 | Sunday, September 20, 2026 – 11:00–18:00

• The City Goes to the Movies: the grand opening of the new Cité du Cinéma! Workshop

  On the occasion of European Heritage Days, the Cité du Cinéma swings open its doors. Over two days, a free slate of workshops invites families and friends to explore this brand-new cultural and events hub in Greater Paris.

  Participation terms: Free | Booking required - https://laciteducinema.fr/

  Schedule: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM | Sunday, September 20, 2026 — 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM

• The City Goes to the Movies: Grand Opening of the New Cité du Cinéma! Open to the Public

  For European Heritage Days, the Cité du Cinéma throws open its doors. Over two days, take the opportunity to explore this new cultural and events hub in Greater Paris with family or friends.

  How to participate: Free | Reservation required - https://laciteducinema.fr/

  Hours: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM | Sunday, September 20, 2026 — 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM