Every year, the Journées du Patrimoine return in mid-September to brighten the post‑summer break. This event features numerous open houses at a variety of sites across Paris and Île-de-France, inviting people to rediscover the region’s beauty. For this 43rd edition, we lace up our walking shoes and set out to explore a monument historique, a castle, or other surprising places we pass by every day without paying much attention—especially the metro and the RER.
Yes: RATP is opening its various technical sites to the public, in order to showcase the region's rolling stock heritage, with a host of events on the programme!
Every year, this free event attracts thousands of visitors curious to learn more about public transport. Once again this year, you're invited to go behind the scenes of the public transport authority, to gain a better understanding of the day-to-day running of the network and its evolution. You can also take a trip back in time on buses and subways of yesteryear, take part in a guided tour of the metro, take part in family workshops, and even go behind the scenes of future stations!
In Paris, the curious can take part in a variety of visits to special locations linked to the capital's public transport system. Please note that most of these events require registration: check the RATP website for details.
Heritage Days 2026: behind the scenes, stations... the full RATP program in Île-de-France
La RATP lifts the lid on all its secrets through a range of tours and activities across the Île-de-France departments, on September 19 and 20, 2026, for Heritage Days. [Read more]
Subway driver training center
Tour of the metro driver's training center
Come tour the metro drivers' training center and explore the driving simulators.
For ages 8 and up.
Online registration at European Heritage Days: see you in September 2026 | RATP
How to participate: Free | Booking required - https://www.ratp.fr/decouvrir/patrimoine/journees-europeennes-du-patrimoine
Hours: Saturday, September 19, 2026 – 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM | Sunday, September 20, 2026 – 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Maison de la RATP
Exhibition: The Cardboard Ticket
Come to the RATP House to discover the story behind the iconic ticket.
Participation requirements: Free | No reservation required
Hours: Saturday, September 19, 2026, 10:00 AM ⤏ 6:00 PM | Sunday, September 20, 2026, 10:00 AM ⤏ 6:00 PM
Tour of the exhibition "The Traveler's Eye"
On the occasion of the Bicentennial of photography and its theme “celebrating the gaze,” an unprecedented exhibition will honor the RATP’s travelers. Titled “The Traveler’s Eye,” the show will feature photographs from the company’s heritage collections—most of them unseen—and offer a portrait of the people who have been using the network daily for more than a century.
Participation terms: Free | No reservation required
Hours: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM | Sunday, September 20, 2026 — 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Operation of tram-driving simulators and the MS61
Visit the RATP House to take the wheel of the driving simulator for an RER B line train and a tram that runs through the streets of Paris, Florence or Washington.
Participation requirements: Free | No reservation required
Hours: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 10:00 to 18:00 | Sunday, September 20, 2026 — 10:00 to 18:00
Family workshops
Come to the RATP House to discover the iconic Sprague locomotive, draw on metro tiles, play board games, and let your imagination run free as you explore the world of transport.
Participation requirements: Free | No reservation required
Hours: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM | Sunday, September 20, 2026 — 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
A ride on vintage buses
Come to the RATP House to hop aboard an old bus and take a ride.
Participation requirements: Free | No reservation required
Hours : Saturday, September 19, 2026 – 10:00 ⤏ 17:30 | Sunday, September 20, 2026 – 10:00 ⤏ 17:30
Public Transport Permit
Come to the RATP House and try to earn your public transport license through playful games designed to help you travel autonomously.
Recommended for ages: from CM2 to 5th grade
Participation requirements: Free | No reservation required
Opening times: Saturday, 19 September 2026 – 10:30–17:00 | Sunday, 20 September 2026 – 10:30–17:00
Guided talk and tour on the history of the cardboard ticket
Come to the RATP headquarters to attend a lecture led by Lise Brunet, a sociologist with the Sociovision Institute, and Grégoire Thonnat, a specialist and collector of transport tickets, who will offer a fresh perspective on the distinctive role cardboard tickets have played in the daily lives of several generations of riders.
Participation requirements: Free | No reservation required
Schedule: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM
Children's workshop with artist Kimie Quach at La Maison de la RATP
Children and their parents are invited to collaborate on artwork crafted from subway tickets with artist Kimie Quach. This drop-in workshop, no reservation required, will run from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., 1:30 to 3:00 p.m., and 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 19.
Participation requirements: Free | No booking required
Schedules: Sunday, September 20, 2026 — 10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m., 1:30 p.m.–3:00 p.m., 3:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
An original way to (re)discover Paris and its iconic landmarks!
Please note that it's been over 4 years since our last visit, so the place and experience may have changed.
Dates and Opening Time
From September 19, 2026 to September 20, 2026
Location
Maison de la RATP
189 Rue de Bercy
75012 Paris 12
Route planner
Prices
Free
Official website
journeesdupatrimoine.culture.gouv.fr
Heritage Days 2026: behind the scenes, stations... the full RATP program in Île-de-France
