Heritage Days 2026: What’s on at Paris’s libraries and archives

Published by La rédaction de Sortiraparis · Photos by Graziella de Sortiraparis · Updated on July 1, 2026 at 08:00 p.m.
During these Heritage Days in Paris and Île-de-France, libraries and archives will unveil their secrets this weekend of September 19–20, 2026. We're off to discover these architectural gems and their secrets!

Calling all lovers of fine books and other bibliophiles... For the Heritage Days, the libraries and archives of Paris open their doors on the 19 and 20 September 2026, to reveal the secrets of these remarkable places, as well as their finest volumes. An opportunity to dive into the world of books and their backstage like never before.

Do you think of libraries and archives as dusty, boring places? It's time to change your mind! Let yourself be surprised and discover these places of knowledge, on the occasion of the Journées du Patrimoine. Guided tours, exhibitions, rummage sales, quizzes and games, workshops, meetings... The capital's libraries and archives are much livelier than you might think!

For this 43rd edition of the Heritage Days, the theme of architectural heritage takes center stage. Come discover what this concept means for these spaces dedicated to preservation and to the sharing of culture and History.

Here's a curated selection of sites to explore during this year’s Heritage Days 2026—don’t forget to check whether reservations are required.

The program for these Heritage Days in libraries and archives:

Visuel Paris - Bibliothèque historique de la Ville de ParisVisuel Paris - Bibliothèque historique de la Ville de ParisVisuel Paris - Bibliothèque historique de la Ville de ParisVisuel Paris - Bibliothèque historique de la Ville de Paris Heritage Days 2026: Explore the City of Paris Historical Library
Paris’ Historical City Library offers an extraordinary behind-the-scenes look for Heritage Days, on Saturday, September 19 and Sunday, September 20, 2026. Take a look inside a grand townhouse in the heart of the Marais. [Read more]

Codex on the Rocks, nos photos de l'expo au Musée de Minéralogie - à ParisCodex on the Rocks, nos photos de l'expo au Musée de Minéralogie - à ParisCodex on the Rocks, nos photos de l'expo au Musée de Minéralogie - à ParisCodex on the Rocks, nos photos de l'expo au Musée de Minéralogie - à Paris Heritage Days 2026 at the Paris School of Mines and its museum, housed in the Hôtel de Vendôme
On the occasion of the 43rd edition of Heritage Days, the Mines Paris – PSL engineering school invites the curious to discover its campus, housed in the Hôtel de Vendôme, as well as its Mineralogy Museum, on Saturday, September 19, 2026. [Read more]

L'institut de France - les photosL'institut de France - les photosL'institut de France - les photosL'institut de France - les photos For Heritage Days 2026, the Institut de France is opening its doors, exceptionally.
The Institut de France will take part in the 43rd edition of the European Heritage Days, which will be held on Saturday, September 19 and Sunday, September 20, 2026. This is an opportunity to discover one of Paris's lesser-known institutions, rich in history and tradition. [Read more]

Parc André Malraux à Nanterre, nos photosParc André Malraux à Nanterre, nos photosParc André Malraux à Nanterre, nos photosParc André Malraux à Nanterre, nos photos Art, History and Science: the program for the 2026 Heritage Days in Nanterre (92)
The Journées du Patrimoine invite you to the weekend of September 19–20, 2026. The city of Nanterre, in the Hauts-de-Seine, unveils its schedule of tours and activities: stock up on great tips and deals! [Read more]

Musée d'Archéologie National - Château de Saint-Germain-en-LayeMusée d'Archéologie National - Château de Saint-Germain-en-LayeMusée d'Archéologie National - Château de Saint-Germain-en-LayeMusée d'Archéologie National - Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye Heritage Days 2026 in Saint-Germain-en-Laye (78): the royal city’s program.
Heritage Days are back on 19 and 20 September 2026 in Paris and Île-de-France, bringing you fresh cultural discoveries. In Yvelines, Saint-Germain-en-Laye stays true to tradition and presents a 'royal' program to explore during this exceptional weekend. On your calendars: mark these dates! [Read more]

Ivry sur SeineIvry sur SeineIvry sur SeineIvry sur Seine Heritage Days 2025: This weekend’s tour program in Ivry-sur-Seine (Val-de-Marne 94)
Balade, église, centre d'art, théâtre, observatoire... Ivry-sur-Seine offers no shortage of what to see. Take advantage of the Journées du Patrimoine, this weekend of September 19 and 20, 2026, to discover this Val-de-Marne town. [Read more]

Nuit des Musées Bibliothèque PolonaiseNuit des Musées Bibliothèque PolonaiseNuit des Musées Bibliothèque PolonaiseNuit des Musées Bibliothèque Polonaise Heritage Days 2026: tour and concert at the Polish Library and in its hidden museums
The Polish Library in Paris will participate in European Heritage Days on Saturday, September 19, 2026. It’s a chance to discover this little-known landmark in the capital, along with its three intimate museums: the Adam Mickiewicz Museum, the Biegas Museum, and the Frédéric Chopin Salon. Here’s the program! [Read more]

Nuit des Musées 2026 : découvrez la bibliothèque d'un grand couturier français à ParisNuit des Musées 2026 : découvrez la bibliothèque d'un grand couturier français à ParisNuit des Musées 2026 : découvrez la bibliothèque d'un grand couturier français à ParisNuit des Musées 2026 : découvrez la bibliothèque d'un grand couturier français à Paris This library is rarely open to the public; you can visit it during the 2026 Heritage Days.
In Paris, at the heart of the Latin Quarter, the Jacques Doucet Library is a hidden treasure that will open its doors for an exceptional Heritage Days weekend on September 19 and 20, 2026. [Read more]

Visuel Journées du Patrimoine/Matrimoine - Institut national d'histoire de l'artVisuel Journées du Patrimoine/Matrimoine - Institut national d'histoire de l'artVisuel Journées du Patrimoine/Matrimoine - Institut national d'histoire de l'artVisuel Journées du Patrimoine/Matrimoine - Institut national d'histoire de l'art European Heritage Days 2026 in Paris: the National Institute for Art History and Its Library (INHA)
On the occasion of the 43rd edition of Heritage Days, the National Institute of Art History will open its doors to the public—exceptionally and free of charge—for the weekend of September 19–20, 2026. [Read more]

BnF François MitterrandBnF François MitterrandBnF François MitterrandBnF François Mitterrand Heritage Days 2026: explore the treasures of the BnF’s various sites in Paris
For Heritage Days, the Bibliothèque nationale de France opens its doors on 19 and 20 September 2026. On the program? A look at the various sites, tours of the restoration workshops, and showcases of numerous documents. [Read more]

La BnF Richelieu rouvre ses portes après 10 ans de travauxLa BnF Richelieu rouvre ses portes après 10 ans de travauxLa BnF Richelieu rouvre ses portes après 10 ans de travauxLa BnF Richelieu rouvre ses portes après 10 ans de travaux Heritage Days 2026: the BNF’s Richelieu site will open its doors for free this weekend.
The Richelieu site of the National Library of France opens its historic doors for the Heritage Days weekend, September 19–20, 2026. [Read more]

Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève - nos photosBibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève - nos photosBibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève - nos photosBibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève - nos photos Heritage Days 2026 in Paris: visit the Sainte-Geneviève Library, a listed historic monument.
For the 43rd edition of Heritage Days in Paris, the Sainte-Geneviève Library invites you to delve into its history. Discover the secrets of this Latin Quarter treasure this Sunday, September 20, 2026. [Read more]

Visuel Paris Jardin des Plantes - Muséum MNHNVisuel Paris Jardin des Plantes - Muséum MNHNVisuel Paris Jardin des Plantes - Muséum MNHNVisuel Paris Jardin des Plantes - Muséum MNHN Weekend of events at the Jardin des Plantes and its Natural History Museum for the 2026 Heritage Days.
A date with the heart of wildlife and flora awaits you for Heritage Days 2026 in Paris. Here is the program from the National Museum of Natural History and the Jardin des Plantes for this weekend of September 19–20, 2026. [Read more]

Visuel Journées du Patrimoine/Matrimoine - Hôtel de SensVisuel Journées du Patrimoine/Matrimoine - Hôtel de SensVisuel Journées du Patrimoine/Matrimoine - Hôtel de SensVisuel Journées du Patrimoine/Matrimoine - Hôtel de Sens Embark on a tour of this unusual townhouse for Paris’s 2026 Heritage Days.
Located in the heart of Paris, this grand townhouse with medieval architecture awaits you for the European Heritage Days 2026. Discover the program on offer for the weekend of 19–20 September 2026. [Read more]

Bibliothèque centrale du conservatoire national des arts et métiersBibliothèque centrale du conservatoire national des arts et métiersBibliothèque centrale du conservatoire national des arts et métiersBibliothèque centrale du conservatoire national des arts et métiers Unlock the secrets of the National Conservatory of Arts and Crafts’ Central Library for Heritage Days 2026
The Heritage Days 2026 will take you to the heart of the capital’s little-known treasures, including the Central Library of the Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers. See you on September 19 and 20, 2026 in Paris! [Read more]

L'Hôtel de Soubise, un écrin remarquable pour les Archives nationalesL'Hôtel de Soubise, un écrin remarquable pour les Archives nationalesL'Hôtel de Soubise, un écrin remarquable pour les Archives nationalesL'Hôtel de Soubise, un écrin remarquable pour les Archives nationales Heritage Days 2026 at the National Archives in Paris: weekend activities
The National Archives in Paris will open their doors to the public free of charge on Saturday, September 19 and Sunday, September 20, 2026, offering tours of their grand townhouse and its exhibitions for the European Heritage Days. [Read more]

Journées du patrimoine 2018 aux Archives de ParisJournées du patrimoine 2018 aux Archives de ParisJournées du patrimoine 2018 aux Archives de ParisJournées du patrimoine 2018 aux Archives de Paris European Heritage Days 2026: games and activities at the Paris Departmental and Municipal Archives
The Paris Departmental and Municipal Archives join the Heritage Days lineup on Saturday, September 19 and Sunday, September 20, 2026, inviting us to discover the behind-the-scenes workings of the institution, as well as Paris’s history from a new angle! [Read more]

These places of knowledge and culture await you! Didn't find what you were looking for in this selection? Take a look at the great Parisian institutions and temples of fashion.

L'institut de France - les photosL'institut de France - les photosL'institut de France - les photosL'institut de France - les photos European Heritage Days 2026: Paris and Île-de-France’s flagship institutions open this weekend
For the 2026 edition of the Heritage Days in Paris, the great institutions are generously opening their doors to us this weekend, September 19–20, 2026. From the Bank of France, via the Cour des Comptes and the ministries, they’ll reveal all their secrets to you. [Read more]

Journées du Patrimoine 2023 au 19M, la Manufacture de mode Chanel - Atelier bottier MassaroJournées du Patrimoine 2023 au 19M, la Manufacture de mode Chanel - Atelier bottier MassaroJournées du Patrimoine 2023 au 19M, la Manufacture de mode Chanel - Atelier bottier MassaroJournées du Patrimoine 2023 au 19M, la Manufacture de mode Chanel - Atelier bottier Massaro European Heritage Days 2026 in Paris: fashion, luxury and beauty
The Journées du Patrimoine 2026 in Paris are taking place this weekend, September 19–20, 2026. To mark the occasion, we invite you to discover the temples of fashion in Paris, which are opening their doors for the event. The secrets of couture houses and department stores are waiting for you! [Read more]

Practical information

Dates and Opening Time
From September 19, 2026 to September 20, 2026

× Approximate opening times: to confirm opening times, please contact the establishment.
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