Heritage Days 2026: discover Folie Desmares — Heritage House in Châtillon

It's time to set out to discover the treasures of your region! A flagship event of the cultural season, the Journées du Patrimoine invites the curious to peek behind the doors of places that are usually off the radar, to celebrate the architectural richness of the territory. For this new edition, scheduled for 19 and 20 September 2026, treat yourself to a foray in the Hauts-de-Seine to discover the Folie Desmares, which today houses the Maison du Patrimoine de Châtillon.

By the way, what exactly is a "folie" in architecture? In the 18th century, the term referred to a country house built for leisure and entertaining, commissioned by the aristocracy or the rising bourgeoisie on the outskirts of cities. The aim was to amuse, escape to the green, and sometimes shelter secret romances away from the bustle of the capital. The Châtillon residence perfectly embodies this distinctive style, where elegance, privacy, and opulence converge.

• To be read
• Top picks of the week: October 19–25, 2026 in Paris and Île-de-France

The story goes that the residence was lavishly transformed and embellished at great expense by the wealthy Swiss banker Antoine Hogguer. He is said to have fashioned this bespoke haven for his mistress, the famed actress of the Comédie-Française Charlotte Desmares. It’s even told that the period timberwork was specially crafted to amplify the actress’s visage on stage, and that hidden staircases would facilitate clandestine meetings.

Today, those wild adventures have given way to preserving and sharing local history. Managed by the Friends of Old Châtillon association, this picturesque address serves as a sanctuary to the Maison du Patrimoine. Its mission is to collect, safeguard, and disseminate the town’s memory. As you browse its rooms, you’ll encounter eclectic collections that trace the evolution of daily life—from craftsmanship and folk traditions to the area’s rich industrial and geological past in this corner of Île-de-France.

Come and discover this unusual place and enjoy the activities planned especially for Heritage Days. Here’s what awaits you in Châtillon.

Heritage Days at Folie Desmares – Heritage House:

• Guided tour

  Notes on the Folie Desmares, the "emblematic edifice" of Châtillon’s heritage in the Hauts-de-Seine. A journey into 18th-century pictorial art, with its high reliefs of monkey-imagery. Charlotte Desmares’s ballroom and its friezes featuring musicians’ apes and learned dogs, the grand Desportes’s hunting scenes, the courtyard of mascarons, the boxwood-embroidered gardens, and the 18th-century wells.

  Participation criteria: No limit on participants with 4 guides - Free | No reservation required

  Opening hours: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM | Sunday, September 20, 2026 — 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

• Conference by Monique Barrier

  Lecture by Monique Barrier: “The Many Folies of the Paris Region: Morals and Frivolities of the Late 17th Century” (the Régent, the Palatine… and Charlotte Desmares). The occupation of the Folie by the Congregation of Dominican Sisters (100 years of history) will also be discussed.

  Conditions de participation : Free | No reservation required

  Schedule: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 15:00 ⤏ 16:00 | Sunday, September 20, 2026 — 16:00 ⤏ 17:00

A lovely weekend ahead.

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