Heritage Days 2026: Discovering the Safran Campus and Vilgénis Castle

It's the big unmissable appointment of the season : every year, in September, the Journées du Patrimoine return for a new edition that's increasingly exciting and surprising. For over 40 years, this event has let us visit unusual places, venues usually closed to the public, and French sites that are iconic or tucked away. A true paradise for the curious and for heritage lovers!

This year, we’re set for September 19 and 20, 2026, in Paris and Île-de-France, for a highly promising edition. Thousands of sites across the region will open their doors to visitors. From the worlds of fashion, sport, and art to places for train enthusiasts or food lovers: it’s up to you to craft your tailor-made weekend itinerary.

If you’re passionate about aviation and interested in France’s major industries, don’t miss the open doors at the campus Safran in Massy. Safran is an industrial and technological group active in space, aeronautics and defense. This Saturday 19 September 2026, the campus housed in the château de Vilgénis will offer exclusive tours. Take the opportunity to discover this estate, once owned by Jérôme Bonaparte, Napoleon’s brother.

The Heritage Days program at the Safran Campus in Massy:

Guided tour of the Safran Campus and Vilgénis Castle
To mark European Heritage Days, the SAFRAN campus opens its doors for a guided tour that uncovers its history.

SAFRAN, the international high‑tech group and a leading supplier in aerospace, space, defense and security, opened its university campus in September 2014. A former Air France training center, the SAFRAN campus sits in the Vilgénis Park, which belonged to the Condé family and later to Jérôme Bonaparte, Napoleon I’s younger brother. On this tour you will discover the campus’s university life, the château fully restored, and the park’s remarkable trees.
Participation requirements: limited to 20 people - Free of charge | Reservations required - https://www.destination-paris-saclay.com/fr/fiche/fete-et-manifestation/visite-guidee-du-campus-safran-et-du-chateau-de-vilgenis-massy_TFO7907340/
Schedule: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 9:30–10:30, 11:00–12:00

Aviation enthusiasts? Check out our thematic guide for these Heritage Days in Paris and the Île-de-France region.

Heritage Days 2026: Museums, airports... Aviation-themed outings in Paris
Heritage Days is the event that brings together a wide range of passions around a superb program of tours and special openings. Attention to aviation enthusiasts: here are the museums and airports waiting for you during the weekend of September 19 and 20, 2026. [Read more]