The Palais de la Porte Dorée opens its doors free of charge for a whole weekend! The cultural center is taking part in the 42nd Journées du Patrimoine, held this year on Saturday September 20 and Sunday September 21, 2025. An opportunity to discover the Palais de la Porte Dorée in all its forms. So many activities revealing the many facets of this unique place. Not only will you have access to the monument itself, but also to the Aquarium and the Museum. Everything is ready to offer you a unique experience.
Parisians, tourists and other curious visitors are invited to discover enriched historical content and personal accounts illustrating the history of immigration in France. But the Journées du Patrimoine 2025 are also an opportunity to learn more about this magnificent building.
Originally conceived as part of the1931 Colonial Exhibition, it was a symbol-laden "Musée des colonies", decorated in Art Deco style. Renamed in turn "musée des colonies et de la France extérieure", "musée de la France d'outre-mer", "musée des Arts africains et océaniens" or "musée national des Arts d'Afrique et d'Océanie", the Palais de la Porte Dorée as we know it today was finally inaugurated in 2007.
For the 42nd European Heritage Days, the Palais de la Porte Dorée is showcasing its emblematic architecture. A masterpiece of Art Deco, this monument, built for the 1931 International Colonial Exhibition, opens its doors wide for a weekend rich in discoveries.
Whether you're with family or friends, let yourself be guided by a varied program: themed tours, behind-the-scenes explorations, flash mediations, fun workshops and tours adapted for the very young. A great opportunity to (re)discover the Palais, the Tropical Aquarium and the Musée de l'histoire de l'immigration.
PALAIS
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### THE COLONIAL HISTORY OF THE PALACE
GUIDED TOUR
How is colonial France portrayed in the Palais? This tour takes visitors on a journey through time to discover and decipher the history of the building, through the representations and colonial narrative of the frescoes in the Forums and the bas-relief on the façade.
It will be followed by a discussion with historians specializing in colonial history.
Duration: 1h - Saturday, September 20, 11am and 4.30pm
### THE PALACE, A JEWEL OF ART DECO
GUIDED TOUR
To mark the 100th anniversary of the Decorative Arts exhibition, the Palais is showcasing this artistic movement through its emblematic architecture and decor. From the sculpted façade to the former Salle des Fêtes, from the model of the 1931 Colonial Exhibition to the salons d'apparat, discover this unique artistic and historical site.
Duration: 1h - Saturday, September 20 at 3.30pm
### JOSEPHA, THE BLACK MODEL OF THE 1930S
GUIDED TOUR
Who was Josepha, the model who twice posed for the artists at the Palais de la Porte Dorée? Through the story of this Guadeloupean, descendant of slaves, who arrived in Paris in 1921 to model for the artists of Montparnasse, immerse yourself in the bohemian life and "black Paris" of the 1930s.
Duration: 1h - Sunday, September 21 at 3pm and 5pm
### LES PETITS EXPLORATEURS,
FAMILY VISIT-WORKSHOP
What do the Palais decors have to say? Equipped with their explorer's binoculars, participants set off to discover the architecture and paintings that adorn the building. The tour continues with a creative workshop, where everyone can create a mosaic inspired by the Palais' motifs.
Duration: 1h | Children aged 3 to 5, accompanied by their parent(s) - Saturday September 20 and Sunday September 21 at 10:30 a.m.
MUSEUM
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### AT THE HEART OF THE MUSEUM: HOW DOES A WORK ENTER THE COLLECTIONS?
GUIDED TOUR
How does a work become part of a museum's collections? What choices guide its acquisition? Based on an example of a collection made by the museum, this tour takes a behind-the-scenes look at the criteria for acquisition, the path taken by the pieces, and the issues of memory and representation. A look at a living, constantly evolving collection.
Duration: 1h - Saturday, September 20, 2pm
### AT THE HEART OF THE MUSEUM: THE DIRECTOR'S JOB
GUIDED TOUR
Discover the job of collections steward, who oversees the conservation, protection and circulation of works of art. From the handling of objects to the preparation of exhibitions, this tour of the museum's permanent tour will give you an insight into the daily life of this key player, the guarantor of the works' durability.
Duration: 1h - Sunday, September 21, 11am
### COLONIZATIONS AND MIGRATIONS
GUIDED TOUR
How did colonization influence migration? This tour invites you to explore the links between these two major phenomena through works, documents and objects from the Musée national de l'Histoire de l'Immigration. A visit to understand the influence of the colonial past on migration, from yesterday to today.
Duration: 1h - Saturday September 20 and Sunday September 21 at 2.30pm
### LES OBJETS MIGRATEURS - LE MUSEE EN FAMILLE
FAMILY VISIT
At the Musée de l'histoire de l'immigration, a suitcase full of surprises awaits children! Everyday objects, toys and souvenirs tell the story of life and migration. The visit continues with an interactive quiz in the small amphitheatre: a fun way to discover the geographical origins of the objects that surround us.
Duration: 1h | From age 7 - Saturday September 20 at 11:15am and Sunday September 21 at 11:15am and 2pm.
### LE COUP DE COEUR DU MEDIATEUR
MICRO-VISIT
What's the link between a work of art and the people who come into contact with it every day? This micro-visit invites you to discover the "coup de cœur" of a Palais mediator, a work chosen for what it evokes, tells or provokes. A personal look that reveals how works of art challenge those who pass them on.
Duration: 20 min - Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st September at 11am, 12pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm and 5pm.
AQUARIUM
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### DISCOVERY MOMENTS AT THE AQUARIUM
MICRO-VISIT
Come and meet our mediators for a micro-visit to our living collections. Learn more about species conservation at the Tropical Aquarium, the diversity of aquatic environments and the relationships between species and their ecosystems.
Duration: 20 min | Ages 8 and up - Saturday, September 20 and Sunday, September 21, 11am to 12:30pm and 2pm to 5pm
Young and old alike will learn a lot and have a lot of fun over the two days!
Dates and Opening Time
From September 20, 2025 to September 21, 2025
Location
The Palais de la Porte Dorée
293 Avenue Daumesnil
75012 Paris 12
Prices
Free
Official website
www.palais-portedoree.fr
