Heritage Days 2026 at the Élysée: discover the Presidential Palace — tickets on sale this evening

The Hôtel d’Évreux, better known as the Palais de l’Élysée , ranks among the most coveted sites for the Journées du Patrimoine. For the 43rd edition of the event, this emblematic address in the 8th arrondissement of Paris opens its doors on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September 2026 for free tours that bring visitors up close to the corridors of power and the splendor of the Republic.

Already hailed as “the prettiest country house in the Paris region” in the 18th century, the Hôtel d’Évreux has passed through a line of illustrious owners, from the Count of Évreux to Napoleon, with Louis XV in between. It wasn’t until 1848 that the building was officially designated to house the Presidency of the Republic.

European Heritage Days 2026: must-see openings and exceptional tours not to be missed in Paris
Les Journées du Patrimoine 2026 à Paris, c’est aussi l’occasion de découvrir des lieux habituellement fermés au public. Here’s the list of sites that will open their doors to the public specially for this weekend of September 19–20, 2026. [Read more]

The self-guided tour lets visitors trace the thread of the Élysée’s history and walk through interiors whose layout, set largely in the late 19th century, has changed little. From the Salon des Ambassadeurs, where the weekly Council of Ministers meets every Wednesday, to the majestic Salle des Fêtes, created for state dinners on the occasion of the 1889 Universal Exposition, the tour passes through several emblematic spaces where the life of the Republic is still written today.

The exploration continues all the way to the President's Office, housed in the Golden Salon, decorated in 1861 by Jean-Louis Godon for Empress Eugénie. The forecourt and the gardens also open to visitors, extending the tour outdoors. Access to the Élysée Palace is by reservation only: the registration platform opens this Friday, September 4 at 7:00 PM on the Élysée site, with the choice of visiting slot available according to availability.

• To be read
• Heritage Days 2026: Must-visit institutions in Paris and Île-de-France — book your tickets!
• Heritage Days 2026 in Paris: visit the ministries during exceptional open-door events.
• Heritage Days 2026: Tour Paris's Historic Townhouses

Heritage Days 2026 program at the Élysée Palace in Paris:

The Art of Photography

You often see their photographs in your newspapers and magazines; this time they will be displayed in the gardens of the Élysée… Twelve photographers from major media outlets or photo agencies covering the President of the Republic will present their work under the theme “Views of the Élysée.”

Named the public’s winner in 2025, Jeanne ACCORSINI, a photographer with the Sipa Press agency, will showcase a selection of her work.

Immersive experiences

• A journey through time: building on the success of immersive experiences offered in previous years, the Presidency of the Republic will invite visitors to explore how the palace interiors have evolved, using virtual reality headsets and kiosks set up in the gardens and the Cour d’Honneur.

• The July 14 parade like you’ve never seen it before! The Presidency of the Republic and the French startup Immersive Flashback invite you to an unprecedented immersive experience inside the Maison Élysée Museum (just outside the Élysée Palace). Join the President of the Republic to witness the highlights of the July 14 ceremony, from the Élysée Palace to Place de la Concorde, including a run down the Champs-Élysées aboard the Command-car.

A decade of restorations at the heart of the Élysée Palace

An exclusive photo exhibition will spotlight the significant restoration work undertaken at the Élysée Palace over the past decade, underscoring the ongoing commitment to preserving this iconic site. Through a curated collection of images that capture the transformations and the key stages of the projects, visitors will be invited to trace the evolution of the Hôtel d'Évreux.

More exhibitions will be on offer

• Exposition hommage à Jacques Witt, the press photographer who died in April 2026, a fearless and gifted witness to history. For decades he covered the Elysée's news, from President François Mitterrand to Emmanuel Macron;
• Staging around the arts de la table (tableware, silver, flowers, linens, etc.) with, in particular, the reconstitution d'une table d'honneur as it was laid for the dinner of the members of the Volunteers Coalition on July 13, 2026;
• Des véhicules de Présidents de la République will be on display in the courtyard.

In addition, it will be possible to exchange with staff from the Presidency of the Republic, who work to promote our know-how. Finally, the visit will be accompanied by the sound of the music of l’Orchestre de la Garde républicaine.

The official shop in the court of honor

Petanque balls, striped Breton tops, keychains, Breton bowls—and much more: the official shop offers a selection of items that are 100% made in France. Purchases help fund the enhancement of the Élysée Palace’s heritage (renovations, public access), while highlighting national know-how and Made in France.

To give you a flavour of the visit, the Élysée presents the itinerary in a video :

Take the opportunity to discover the Maison Élysée (just opposite):

Heritage Days 2026 at the Élysée Palace: the program
The European Heritage Days return on September 19–20, 2026, and they still have more surprises in store! Just a stone’s throw from the Presidential Palace, the Élysée House opens its doors for an inside look at the workings of power. [Read more]