Heritage Days 2026: the Sorbonne Chapel and Richelieu's Tomb in Paris

The Sorbonne’s famous dome is unusually open to visitors during Heritage Days on September 19 and 20, 2026. In the heart of the Latin Quarter, the Sorbonne Chapel reveals its classical architecture, its history, and the tomb of Cardinal Richelieu.

The Latin Quarter hides one of its finest heritage surprises with the opening of the Chapelle de la Sorbonne for Heritage Days, on September 19–20, 2026. Behind its famous dome lies a major monument in the 5th arrondissement, closely linked to the history of the Sorbonne and to Cardinal Richelieu. This weekend offers a rare chance to explore a place many know from afar but have not necessarily stepped inside, fusing classical architecture, monumental decor, and university history.

The story of the Chapelle de la Sorbonne is closely tied to that of Cardinal Richelieu. Appointed head of the Sorbonne in 1622, he set out to reshape the institution and charged architect Jacques Lemercier with building a new chapel. Construction began in 1635, producing a landmark of French classicism that would quickly become a reference in architectural circles. Its dome, visible from several streets in the Latin Quarter, continues to define the Parisian skyline. Inside lies Richelieu, whose tomb sculpted by François Girardon is regarded as one of the masterworks of seventeenth‑century funerary sculpture. Closed for part of the French Revolution before regaining its religious and patrimonial vocation, the chapel today remains a symbol of the Sorbonne and of France’s university history.

Once inside, the eye is drawn as much to the soaring spaces of the nave as to the light spilling from the dome and the richness of the ornament. The funeral monument of Richelieu naturally grabs attention, but the entire chapel deserves time to be surveyed. This exceptional opening also offers a different reading of the Sorbonne, beyond its image as a prestigious university, reminding us of the weight of history, architecture, and intellectual life in this corner of Paris. For both seasoned visitors to the Latin Quarter and those discovering it, the visit adds a less obvious waypoint to the neighborhood’s great classics and can easily turn a stroll between the place de la Sorbonne, the Panthéon, and the surrounding streets into a fuller, longer excursion.

The 2026 Heritage Days program at the Sorbonne Chapel:

The Sorbonne Chapel Opens to the Public!
### On the occasion of the European Heritage Days 2026, the Sorbonne Chapel is opening its doors, an exceptional event. Join us for a journey through time and architecture!

### The guided visit, conducted in the presence of the curator, will offer a fresh look at the recently restored mural paintings by Philippe de Champaigne and Charles Timbal. For the first time, these works will be accessible to the public within the extraordinary setting of the Sorbonne.

In the heart of the lively Latin Quarter, buzzing with Parisian students, stands the symbol of France’s oldest university: the dome of the Sorbonne Chapel. A landmark of French classical religious architecture in this quintessential student district, Sainte-Ursule Chapel of the Sorbonne (or Sorbonne Chapel) is today one of Paris’s most iconic buildings. Designed by the era’s leading artists, it houses hidden treasures and stands as a unique testament to 17th‑century Parisian architecture.

Find the registration link for this event: https://www.sorbonne-universite.fr/evenements/journees-europeennes-du-patrimoine-2026
Conditions de participation : Advance registration required | Free - https://www.sorbonne-universite.fr/evenements/journees-europeennes-du-patrimoine-2026
Schedule: Sunday, September 20, 2026 — 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM

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