Journées du Patrimoine 2023 at the Palais de la Porte Dorée: Guided tour & events

Journées du Patrimoine 2023 at the Palais de la Porte Dorée: On September 16 and 17, 2023, we invite you to an exceptional immersion experience to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the European Heritage Days. On the program: tours, behind-the-scenes at the Aquarium, conferences and more.

The Palais de la Porte Dorée is opening its doors free of charge as part of the 40th annual Journées du Patrimoine, taking place this year on Saturday and Sunday, September 16 and 17, 2023. This is an opportunity to discover the Palais de la Porte Dor ée in all its forms: original guided tours, children's activities, a tropical aquarium... 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 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Parisians, tourists and other curious visitors are invited to discover enriched historical content and personal accounts illustrating the history of immigration in France.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 2023 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" and "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.

Program for the 2023 Heritage Days at the Palais de la Porte Dorée :

Highlights of the event:

Exclusive visits: We get to see the Palais from another angle, thanks to the people who work there. An invaluable opportunity to understand their profession and their passion.
- Behind the scenes at the Tropical Aquarium at 11:30, 14:30 and 16:30: Follow an aquarist as he plunges you into the secrets of the aquatic world.
- Conference on Jean Dunand at 3:30pm: Learn more about the Art Deco lacquer artist.
- The Museum as seen by its creators at 2:30 and 4:00 pm: Hear original anecdotes about its creation.
Le Palais à la loupe: A rare opportunity to analyze and decipher the Palais down to the smallest detail.
- Deciphering the Forum frescoes at 10.30am and 2.30pm: Take a close look at the frescoes in the former village hall.
- Places of immigration at 4:30pm: A collaboration with ICI - Institut des Cultures d'Islam to explore the history of immigration in France.
- Micro-visit to the Salon des laques at 2pm and 5pm: Admire the works of Jean Dunand, restored to their original location.
Unusual tours: Storytelling, audio tours and much more for a multi-sensory discovery of the Palais.
- The world without silence at 11am and 2pm: A sound and acoustic immersion that reveals that the underwater world is, in fact, never silent.
- Raconte-moi le Palais" (Tell me about the Palace ) at 11:30 a.m.: Discover the Palace's history of colonization with the whole family, through a series of fascinating tales.
- Walking tour "In the footsteps of the Colonial Exhibition" at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.: An instructive walk around Lake Daumesnil to rediscover the 1931 International Colonial Exhibition, with a map, period photographs and enlightening commentary.