This year again, for the Heritage Days, the National Archives located in Saint-Denis (formerly in the territory of the former commune of Pierrefitte-sur-Seine) will open their doors on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September 2026, offering a glimpse into how they operate, their history, and the secrets kept behind these walls.
Under the authority of the French Ministry of Culture, the National Archives are responsible for collecting, preserving, restoring and promoting the documents of public bodies, in order to keep a documented record of thehistory of France since the 7th century. There are several conservation sites in France, but the head office is located in Pierrefitte-sur-Seine, a commune now absorbed by the town of Saint-Denis, in the Seine-Saint-Denis region. On its website, the institution states that " the Pierrefitte-sur-Seine site preserves archives dating from after the French Revolution and archives of private origin. "
To find out more about this institution, which dates back to 1790, come to Pierrefitte for the Journées du Patrimoine. What better way to discover France's past than at this major cultural event, which showcases the country's historical treasures?
The Giant Dictation by the Heritage Children
### The Giant Dictation for the Heritage Children
For the 2026 edition of the Heritage Children program, the National Archives teams up with Rachid Santaki, a Dionysian-born novelist and screenwriter and the creator of traveling giant dictations, to offer an unforgettable dictation in their auditorium—a playful, word-filled experience for all ages and levels.
The dictation will be prepared in advance in the classroom. On the day of the event, students will explore the institution and examine archival documents related to French polar expeditions to the lands and seas of the south, before taking part in a large, friendly, collective dictation moment.
### Agenda
Pre-event transmission to the teacher of a text drawn from an archival document about the royal penguin, a species that forms colonies along the coasts of subantarctic islands and archipelagos, notably the Kerguelen Islands and the Crozet Islands, excerpted from the magazine Le Manchot déchaîné, preserved in the National Archives. This monthly letter was meant to maintain the link between the wintering crew taking part in the French polar expeditions and their loved ones.
9:30 a.m.: Arrival at the National Archives – introduction to the institution and to the collections on the French Southern and Antarctic Lands (TAAF) by Elisa Dupuis, archivist responsible for these funds
10:30 a.m.: Giant dictation with Rachid Santaki
11:30 a.m.: End of the dictation and prize ceremony
Audience: classes from CM2 to 4e
Capacity: 8 classes
Participation requirements: Free of charge | Booking required - https://www.les-enfants-du-patrimoine.fr/visites/la-dictee-geante-des-enfants-du-patrimoine-4629
Timings: Friday, September 18, 2026 — 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM
Workshop for young audiences - Here's to your health!
As part of the exhibition “To Your Health!”: come discover a one-of-a-kind Game of the Goose! Inspired by a real game housed in the National Archives, this playful workshop invites you to explore the history of health while having fun.
Saturday and Sunday, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Participation terms: Free - Free | Reservation required - http://exploreparis.com
Schedule: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM | Sunday, September 20, 2026 — 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM
At the National Archives in Pierrefitte, by the bookmobile team
by the Bibliobus team
Embark on a journey across an ancient map engraved by Charles Inselin, a master engraver and geographer. Based on a woodcut reproduction created by the Bibliobus team from a document housed at the National Archives, explore the map in every detail. A puzzle and a tote-bag decorating workshop will round out the activity. Each participant will receive a booklet.
Meet at the National Archives of Pierrefitte
Free admission
All audiences
Participation requirements: Free | No reservation required
Hours: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 2:00 PM–6:00 PM
Youth Workshop – From Mapping to the Postcard
### Activities for young audiences
“From cartography to the postcard”: travel back in time with the old maps and plans of Plaine Commune’s territories! Then it’s your turn to create a colorful, original postcard from these depictions. On Saturdays only: in partnership with the Hors-les-Murs Service of the Plaine Commune libraries, have an iron-on transfer of an old map applied to your own bag and walk away with a unique keepsake!
Saturday, 2:00 PM–6:00 PM
For ages 5 and up
Participation conditions: Free - Free | Booking required - http://exploreparis.com
Schedules: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM, 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM, 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM, 5:00 PM to 5:45 PM
Guided tours of the restoration, binding, and gilding workshop
### Studio visits: restoration, binding, and gilding workshops
This guided tour offers a rare inside look at the restoration, binding, and gilding workshops of the National Archives, where you’ll discover the crafts and expertise behind their work. The document restorers at the National Archives will welcome you and explain their mission.
Guided tours on Saturdays and Sundays at 2:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., and 4:30 p.m.
Participation requirements: Free - Free | Booking required - http://exploreparis.com
Schedule : Saturday, Sep 19, 2026 – 2:30 PM–3:30 PM, 3:30 PM–4:30 PM, 4:30 PM–5:30 PM | Sunday, Sep 20, 2026 – 2:30 PM–3:30 PM, 3:30 PM–4:30 PM, 4:30 PM–5:30 PM
Guided tour of the exhibition 'Here's to Your Health!'
Guided tour of the exhibition To Your Health!
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The exhibition takes visitors on a journey into the heart of health education in 20th‑century France. Through posters, brochures, and educational films, it traces the evolution of prevention campaigns: slogans that have entered the cultural memory, such as “Antibiotics aren’t automatic,” underscoring their place in public consciousness. The show invites reflection on the challenges of health communication: objectives, target audiences, and the roles of the different players involved. Accessible to all, it offers an original perspective on public health policies and their history.
Guided tours on Saturdays and Sundays at 2:30 PM and 3:45 PM
Participation conditions: free for up to 20 people - Free | Booking required - http://exploreparis.com
Schedule: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 2:30–3:30 p.m., 3:45–4:45 p.m. | Sunday, September 20, 2026 — 2:30–3:30 p.m., 3:45–4:45 p.m.
Guided tour of the National Archives in French Sign Language
Building tours
Come discover the behind-the-scenes of this contemporary building that houses the History of France across fifteen centuries. What precious documents are kept on these miles of shelving? Can one access all the documents produced by the State?
Guided tour on Saturdays in French Sign Language at 2:30 p.m. Reservations by email developpement-publics.an@culture.gouv.fr
Participation conditions: Free of charge, limited to 10 participants - Free | Booking is mandatory - developpement-publics.an@culture.gouv.fr
Timings: Saturday, 19 September 2026 — 14:30 to 15:30
Tour of the National Archives site
Building tours
Come behind the scenes of this contemporary building that houses the History of France across fifteen centuries. Which precious documents are kept on these miles of shelving? Can the public access every document produced by the State?
Guided tours on Saturdays at 2:15 p.m., 3:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Guided tour on Saturday in French Sign Language at 2:30 p.m. Registration by email developpement-publics.an@culture.gouv.fr
Guided tours on Sundays at 2:30 p.m., 3:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Participation terms: Free, limited to 20 participants - Free | Booking required - http://exploreparis.com
Schedule: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM, 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM, 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM | Sunday, September 20, 2026 — 2:00 PM to 2:30 PM, 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM, 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM, 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Guided tour of the Voices of Fragment installation
### Guided tour of the exhibition Voices of Fragments
Voices of Fragments is an immersive sound installation that probes the memory of a delicate judicial heritage tied to the audiovisual archives of the V13 trial, exploring empathy and the gaze when confronting justice archives. The piece unfolds as an interactive, spatialized sound composition, its layout shifting with visitors' movements. Its narration draws from excerpts of interviews with archivists. A 3D-digitized archive table lies at the visual and sensory heart of the installation.
Guided tours on Saturdays and Sundays at 4:45 PM
Participation conditions: Free | Booking required - http://exploreparis.com
Schedule: Saturday, 19 September 2026 — 16:45–17:15 | Sunday, 20 September 2026 — 16:45–17:15
The Giant Heritage Dictation
### The Giant Heritage Dictation
For the 2026 edition of the European Heritage Days, the National Archives host a new collaboration with Rachid Santaki, a novelist and screenwriter from Dionysia, famed for bringing the itinerant giant dictations he creates across France to life. They will stage an extraordinary dictation in the Archives’ auditorium. Open to everyone, with no prerequisites, this event invites all to let the pleasure of words carry them and offers a special way to discover the archives from a fresh angle.
Sunday at 3:00 p.m. – in the auditorium
Young and old alike who wish can extend the experience by taking part in an exclusive after-dictation tour of the National Archives.
Participation conditions: Free - A Pass Culture offer is also available - Free | Reservation required | No reservation required - http://exploreparis.com
Schedule: Sunday, September 20, 2026 — 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM
Guided tour of the exhibition Antisemitism in Action, 1940–1944
Guided tour of the exhibition Antisemitism in Action, 1940-1944
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Starting in 1940, the Vichy regime enacted a series of measures that legalized antisemitic persecution. Gradually, the squeeze tightened around populations labeled as “Jewish.” The so‑called “suppliques”—letters petitioning for exemptions to these racial laws—were, in many cases, desperate attempts to dodge the measures. This mini-exhibit lays bare the ruthless logic of the legislative machine, the consequences for those affected, and the varied personal responses to state-sponsored antisemitism.
Guided tour every Sunday at 4:30 p.m.
Participation requirements: Free | No reservation required
Times: Sunday, September 20, 2026 — 16:30 to 18:00
Le programme est mis à jour en fonction des annonces officielles.
It promises to be an exciting program. Happy Heritage Days in Seine-Saint-Denis!
Dates and Opening Time
From September 19, 2026 to September 20, 2026
Location
Archives nationales - Pierrefitte site
59 Rue Guynemer
93200 Saint Denis
Route planner
Access
Line 13, Saint Denis-Université metro station
Prices
Free
Official website
www.archives-nationales.culture.gouv.fr
