It's one of the major cultural events of the autumn : a weekend of strolls, discoveries and games. Throughout Paris and theÎle-de-France region, thousands of official, historical, cultural, artistic and religious sites open their doors to the general public - and most often, free of charge!
But what is this extraordinary event that lets you tour in a single day the Élysée Palace, the Grand Rex, the Bank of France, and the backstage of Galeries Lafayette? It’s the Journées du Patrimoine, back for its 42nd edition this weekend, September 19 and 20, 2026.
Each year, the Journées du Patrimoine are organized around one or more specific themes, highlighting the behind-the-scenes trades, little-known monuments and technical infrastructures that are part of our heritage, or help to keep it alive.
Sustainable heritage, arts and entertainment, heritage and nature, heritage and education... The themes vary and appeal to a wide range of audiences and interests, for a constantly renewed program.
On September 19 and 20, 2026, the Heritage Days will center on the themes "Heritage of Photography" and "Heritage at Risk". Discover the venues and activities to explore over the weekend, tied to this year's themes.



Heritage Days 2026: discover Folie Desmares — Heritage House in Châtillon
What could be more fitting than visiting the House of Heritage during Heritage Days? Join us at Folie Desmares in Châtillon on September 19 and 20, 2026 for a weekend at the heart of art. [Read more]



Heritage Days 2026: a playful program at the Val-d'Oise departmental archives
The Val-d'Oise departmental archives open their doors to children for Heritage Days, this Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September 2026. [Read more]



Inauguration of the Vanves ice houses and their unusual chapel for Heritage Days 2026
During the 2026 Heritage Days, set off to discover Vanves’ restored ice houses and their surprising neo-Romanesque chapel at the heart of Parc Frédéric Pic. A fascinating plunge into the quirky heritage of Hauts-de-Seine, on the doorstep of Paris! [Read more]



Heritage Days 2026 in Pontoise (95): all the visits you shouldn’t miss
During Heritage Days 2026, Pontoise reveals its rich artistic and medieval heritage over the weekend of September 19–20. Discover the treasures of this city of painters and join in unique cultural activities! [Read more]



Heritage Days 2026: Activities and Tours at the International University Campus
For the 2026 Heritage Days, on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September, the International University City will host a variety of activities for all audiences. [Read more]



Heritage Days 2026: in Bagnolet, plunge into the history of the surprising peach-walled orchard
Just a stone's throw from Paris, the Bagnolet peach orchard bears witness to a little-known horticultural past. Heritage Days 2026 offer a chance to discover this emblematic site in Seine-Saint-Denis. [Read more]



Journées du Patrimoine 2026 : discover the Château de Vigny, a monument rescued from ruin
On September 19 and 20, 2026, the Château de Vigny opens its doors to the public. A visit to discover a Renaissance-era landmark in the Val-d'Oise, at the heart of an impressive restoration project. [Read more]



Heritage Days 2026: Fencing taster, archery workshops, and a medieval show for the inauguration of this ancient keep
In Étampes, the Tour de Guinette is set to celebrate its public inauguration in grand style during the Heritage Days weekend 2026, on September 19–20, 2026. A wide lineup of historical activities awaits visitors—here’s everything you need to know! [Read more]



Heritage Days 2026 at the Palace of the King of Rome: exhibition and tours in Rambouillet (78)
In Rambouillet, a wealth of cultural outings awaits us for Heritage Days. The Palace of the King of Rome and its garden will open their doors free of charge this weekend of September 19–20, 2026. [Read more]



Heritage Days 2026: A stroll through Cité Falguière, a hidden artistic treasure
Heritage Days 2026 unveil a hidden treasure: the Cité Falguière in Paris. Mark your calendars for September 19–20 for a unique voyage into the capital's artistic history during its 43rd edition. Discover the event program. [Read more]



A stroll through the glass towers of La Défense for the 2026 Heritage Days
Explore La Défense from a new angle with guided tours organized on Sunday, September 20, 2026 for Heritage Days. [Read more]



This air-raid shelter in the Paris region will be open to visitors for the 2026 Heritage Days.
Heritage Days are back in the Île-de-France region, and for the occasion an air-raid shelter dating from World War II will be open to visitors in an exceptional visit over the weekend of 19–20 September 2026. [Read more]



Heritage Days 2026 in Melun (77): must-see activities
Every year, Heritage Days invites you to a rich program packed with cultural highlights! Discover the tours and activities waiting for you in Melun, in Seine-et-Marne, for this exceptional weekend of September 19–20, 2026. Here’s what’s in store! [Read more]



Heritage Days 2026 at the Paris Malaquais National School of Architecture, the program
Heritage Days invite you to join us for the weekend of September 19–20, 2026, and the Paris-Malaquais National School of Architecture, housed on the Beaux-Arts campus, reveals its program. [Read more]



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]



Here is Île-de-France’s sole troglodyte castle, open to visitors for the 2026 Heritage Days.
On the occasion of the Heritage Days on 19 and 20 September 2026, discover the Château de la Roche-Guyon, a unique landmark in Île-de-France, nestled in the Val d’Oise. [Read more]



A remarkable visit to the Château de la Celle-Saint-Cloud for Heritage Days 2026
In the heart of the Yvelines, the Château de la Celle-Saint-Cloud, owned by the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, is exceptionally opening its doors for Heritage Days 2026 on the weekend of September 19–20: here’s the programme! [Read more]



Heritage Days 2026: Explore the Church of the Holy Trinity in Paris
The Church of the Holy Trinity opens its doors during Heritage Days on Sunday, September 20, 2026. Reserve your visit slot without delay—spaces are limited. [Read more]



Montagu Castle in Essonne reveals its lineup for the 2026 European Heritage Days.
This Essonne treasure reveals its secrets for the 43rd edition of Heritage Days: Montagu Castle invites you to join in and unveils its program for the weekend of September 19–20, 2026. [Read more]



Heritage Days 2026: Visit the Valentin Haüy Museum, dedicated to the history of blindness in Paris.
For the 43rd edition of Heritage Days, the Valentin Haüy Museum invites Parisians and Île-de-France residents to discover the history of the blind. Meet on Saturday, September 19, 2026 for a free tour. [Read more]



Journées du Patrimoine 2026: the program at the National Institute of Heritage in Aubervilliers (93)
Discover a major French grande école that sits at the heart of culture, and an architecturally distinctive building, by visiting the National Institute of Heritage in Aubervilliers. Open doors are planned for September 19, 2026, as part of the 43rd Heritage Days. [Read more]



Journées du Patrimoine 2026 : discover the Japanese Gardens of Favières (77)
The Japanese Gardens site in Favières, Seine-et-Marne, will open its doors at a preferential rate on September 19 and 20 for Heritage Days 2026. Reserve your nature stroll. [Read more]



Heritage Days 2026: Explore the Paris Commercial Court during guided tours
On the occasion of Heritage Days 2026, the Paris Commercial Court invites you to join us this weekend, Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September 2026. A panel of judging guides will be on hand for exceptional guided tours of the courthouse, built between 1860 and 1865. [Read more]



Heritage Days 2026 in Paris: the program at the National Maritime Museum
All hands on deck: Heritage Days are here! The National Navy Museum, perched at the Trocadéro in Paris, will open its doors free of charge on 19 and 20 September 2026 to mark the occasion. [Read more]



Journées du Patrimoine 2026 à Paris : embark on a journey to explore the Collège de France
For Heritage Days 2026 in Paris, the Collège de France invites you to explore two millennia of history through guided tours offered on the weekend of September 19–20, 2026. [Read more]



Heritage Days 2026: visit Sainte-Anne Hospital and its astonishing museum in Paris
Paris's hospitals also hide treasures that art and history lovers will be delighted to discover during Heritage Days 2026, the weekend of September 19–20. Sainte-Anne Hospital lends itself to this edition and unveils a special program. [Read more]



Dive into the heart of stained glass artistry for Heritage Days 2026 in Paris
La Maison du Vitrail takes us to the heart of a vibrant craft for the 2026 Heritage Days. Here is the schedule for this weekend, September 18–20, 2026. [Read more]



Heritage Days 2026 in Paris: uncover the secrets of Gare du Nord
Fancy visiting Gare du Nord? It’s on offer for the 42nd edition of the Journées du Patrimoine, taking place Saturday, September 19 and Sunday, September 20, 2026. Here’s the program. [Read more]



For Heritage Days 2026, this iconic cinema lifts the curtain on its backstage.
On the occasion of Heritage Days 2026, the Grand Rex invites us to uncover its secrets and to sneak behind the scenes on the weekend of Saturday, September 19 and Sunday, September 20. [Read more]



Discover the Niemeyer Space at Heritage Days 2026, a jewel of modern architecture in Paris!
On the occasion of the 2026 Heritage Days, embark on a visit to the emblematic Espace Niemeyer, headquarters of the French Communist Party. Designed by Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer, this building, with its bold, distinctly futuristic design, is opening its doors for an exceptional occasion. A must-see for art and architecture enthusiasts. [Read more]



Heritage Days 2026: discover this unusual church in the heart of Paris's 19th arrondissement
It's probably one of Paris's most quirky hidden gems, and during Heritage Days this weekend of September 19–20, 2026, this little-known church in the 19th arrondissement invites you to uncover its secrets. Here’s what you need to know! [Read more]



Heritage Days 2026 at Citéco, Paris's City of the Economy, a tour of the Hôtel Gaillard
On the occasion of the 43rd Heritage Days, Citéco – the City of the Economy – opens its doors to curious visitors this Saturday, September 19, and Sunday, September 20, 2026. It’s a chance to uncover the treasures housed in this remarkable museum, in the heart of the Hôtel Gaillard! Here’s the program! [Read more]



European Heritage Days 2026 in Paris, the program at Sorbonne University — Pierre and Marie Curie Campus
For Heritage Days 2026, on September 19 and 20, 2026, we head to Sorbonne University, at the Pierre and Marie Curie Campus, to uncover the behind-the-scenes of this Parisian institution. [Read more]



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]



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]



Heritage Days 2026: Self-guided tours of the garden and the reception rooms at the Embassy of the Czech Republic
For Heritage Days, the Czech Republic Embassy will exceptional open its doors on Saturday, September 19, 2026, inviting visitors to discover its reception rooms and garden, set in a historic private townhouse steeped in history. [Read more]



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]
Do you already know all these places in Paris and the Ile-de-France region? If not, you know what to visit during the Journées du Patrimoine!
Dates and Opening Time
From September 19, 2026 to September 20, 2026
Prices
Free
Official website
journeesdupatrimoine.culture.gouv.fr