Heritage Days 2026 at the National Institute of Heritage in Aubervilliers (Seine-Saint-Denis 93)

How do you restore a work of art? That question is truly fascinating!  The National Institute of Heritage, based in Aubervilliers, is one of the few higher education institutions that trains state heritage conservators and restorers—the only professionals authorized to manage public collections. To mark the new edition of the Heritage Days, this September 19, 2026, the Department of Restorers will open its workshop doors for exclusive tours.

You can visit the seven restoration workshops(painting, furniture, fire arts, sculpture, textile arts, photography and digital images, graphic arts and books), as well as the research laboratory, the competition presentation areas, the school and the art gallery. Students and teachers are on hand to answer questions from the curious.

Here's the detailed program for the event:

• Tour of the National Heritage Institute's Restorers Department

  The Restoration Department at the National Institute of Heritage opens its doors to the public, inviting visitors to explore its seven restoration studios (sculpture, painting, graphic arts and book conservation, textile arts, furniture, fired arts, photography and digital imaging), its research lab, and its library.

  Students in training to become heritage restorers, their instructors, and INP staff will be your guides for this discovery day, informing you about the training offered at the institution.

  An exhibition of the best entries from the competition will also be available to visitors.

  Participation requirements: No reservation required

  Hours: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM

Le programme est mis à jour en fonction des annonces officielles.

• To be read
• This week's top picks for July 6–12, 2026 in Paris and Île-de-France

The Institut national du patrimoine is a higher education establishment of the French Ministry of Culture and Communication. It was created in 1990, at the same time as the corps des conservateurs du patrimoine and the cadre d'emploi des conservateurs territoriaux du patrimoine, under the name Ecole nationale du patrimoine (Enp). In 2001, the Institut Français de Restauration des Œuvres d'art (IFROA), created in 1977, joined the establishment, which was given a new status and the name Institut national du patrimoine (Inp).

After passing a competitive examination, student restorers undergo a five-year training program at Inp to acquire the theoretical, scientific and practical skills needed to restore heritage works and objects. The training leads to a heritage restorer's diploma, which confers a Master's degree on its holders.

Shall we go, friends?