Impossible d'évoquer les Journées du Patrimoine without thinking of discoveries that shift how we view Paris. This year, an original guided tour takes the public to the porte de la Chapelle, in the 18th arrondissement, to meet the Femmes en or, the monumental statues unveiled during the cérémonie d'ouverture of the Jeux olympiques de Paris 2024, on 19 et 20 septembre 2026. This balade lets visitors locate these works now installed on rue de la Chapelle and learn more about their history, their creation, and the personalities they represent. A way to extend the Olympic legacy while exploring a neighborhood undergoing a transformation.
These ten gilded statues marked one of the highlights of the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games, on July 26, 2024. Rising from the Seine before millions of viewers, they paid tribute to ten women who left an enduring imprint on France’s history through their struggles, discoveries, or commitments. Notably, Olympe de Gouges, Simone Veil, Louise Michel, Alice Milliat, Gisèle Halimi, Christine de Pizan, Paulette Nardal, and Jeanne Barret are among them. Standing about four meters tall and made of fiberglass-reinforced resin, these sculptures were later placed on a permanent site on rue de la Chapelle, where they now form a true open-air promenade. Their installation reflects a commitment to giving greater visibility to prominent women in public space while preserving a strong heritage from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Located on Rue de la Chapelle, the Femmes en or instantly impress with their monumental presence and radiant colors. The guided tour mainly revisits the journeys of the ten figures depicted and explains why they were honored in Paris’s public spaces. Olympe de Gouges, Simone Veil and the others acquire a new dimension when their struggles are seen in their proper historical context. This stroll gives the neighborhood a reading that is at once historical and artistic, with an accessible route that should appeal to both the curious and history enthusiasts.
Golden Women in the Chapelle District
On the occasion of the 2026 European Heritage Days, come discover the Golden Women of Porte de la Chapelle!
The Golden Women, created for the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games, have been installed on Rue de la Chapelle. They symbolize a commitment to making women's history visible in public space and remind us of that extraordinary event.
Find the registration link for this event:
https://www.paris.fr/evenements/jep-2026-femmes-en-or-dans-le-quartier-de-la-chapelle-113694
Participation conditions: Limited to 25 participants — advance booking required | Free - https://www.paris.fr/evenements/jep-2026-femmes-en-or-dans-le-quartier-de-la-chapelle-113694
Schedule: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 11:00 AM–12:00 PM
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Dates and Opening Time
On September 19, 2026
From 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Location
Chapelle Street
Rue de la Chapelle
75018 Paris 18
Route planner
Accessibility info
Prices
Free
Official website
journeesdupatrimoine.culture.gouv.fr
Booking
www.paris.fr
