JEMA 2026 in Paris: Opéra Comique Highlights Artisanal Crafts of the Performing Arts

In springtime, in France and a number of other European countries, a very special event awaits us... It's the Journées Européennes des Métiers d'Art (J EMA): a week of discoveries, workshops, visits, conferences and demonstrations, to better understand and appreciate the crafts.

But what exactly are "métiers d'art"? According to the French Ministry of Culture, they are " handcrafted manual trades. They mobilize traditional skills of high technicality, often exceptional. " There are officially 281 of them. Fashion, architecture, performing arts, interior design, luxury goods, heritage... These special trades can be found in a wide range of sectors!

The JEMA offer a perfect opportunity to celebrate French craftsmanship and artisans. For this year’s 20th edition, hundreds of venues across the country will open their doors from April 7 to 12, 2026. In total, around 7,000 events will be organized for the public under the theme "Hearts at Work."

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Thousands of events across France, with over 500 in Île-de-France alone... That's quite a lineup! While there are plenty of options to choose from, some experiences are simply unmissable. During this 20th edition of the European Heritage Days (JEMA), one event stands out: the exclusive behind-the-scenes tours at the Opéra Comique, scheduled from April 3 to 5, 2026.

A temple to art and music, the Opéra Comique invites us to go backstage and discover the artistic teams who make each show an enchantment. Costume designers, wig-makers, make-up artists and prop-makers give us a glimpse of their know-how, their tasks and their achievements, by opening the doors of their workshops to us. We discover the people and work behind the creation of a show. A rare and original visit for the uninitiated!

The day's program at the Opéra Comique:

• Come discover the world of live performance professions at the Opéra-Comique!
  During an engaging 1.5-hour tour, you'll get the chance to meet the costume, makeup, and wig teams, as well as the lighting crew. The artistic teams at the Opéra-Comique are opening their doors to show you behind the scenes of their theater! Inside the intimate setting of the Foyer, you can meet and chat with professionals working in the arts, learn about the craft of opera production, and get an inside look at how an opera comes to life.
  Free, but reservation is required and spots are limited. To reserve, email us before Thursday, March 20, at enseignement@opera-comique.com and champsocial@opera-comique.com.
  Open to anyone aged 12 and over
  Duration: 1 hour and 30 minutes
  Saturday sessions are open to all. Special slots are reserved for high school groups and social outreach on Thursday, April 3rd, and Friday, April 4th.
  An exclusive session is also reserved for visually impaired audiences at 4 PM on Saturday, May 5th. Bookings can be made by email at accessibilite@opera-comique.com or by phone at 01 70 23 01 44.

Who knows: maybe this visit will help you discover a new passion or vocation? Reserve your place now: an opportunity like this is not to be missed!