Nestled in the Yvelines, this royal castle, now home to the Musée d’Archéologie nationale, naturally participates in the Journées de l’archéologie. From Friday 12 to Sunday 14 June 2026, this major event will once again put archaeology in the spotlight, and at the Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye, we’re set to discover a special programme for the occasion!
Before housing major archaeological collections, the château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye has lived a life full of twists and turns. The royal site grows from the Middle Ages, then endures fires, reconstructions and successive transformations. Notably, Saint Louis gave us the remarkable palatine chapel, built in the 13th century, hailed as a milestone of Rayonnant Gothic and even a model for the Sainte-Chapelle in Paris. Later, François I and Henri II left their own deep imprints on the place, before the estate became one of the crown’s power hubs.
Founded in the 19th century and housed in the château, the Musée d’Archéologie nationale houses one of Europe’s most important collections in its field. About 30,000 objects are on display there, spanning from the origins of prehistory to the Carolingian era, with a route that reveals both daily life and the crafts, artistic practices, and beliefs of ancient societies.
Workshop "Head in the Stars..."
A planetarium recreating a Bronze Age night sky will welcome visitors in the auditorium lobby. Come witness the story of the universe, marvel at the constellations and the planets of the solar system, all displayed under an inflatable dome, guided by a presenter from the Bourgogne Astronomical Society.
Participation conditions : On-site registration on the day of the event, for ages eight and up — free
Schedule: Saturday, June 13, 2026 — 10:00–11:00, 11:15–12:15, 13:30–14:30, 14:45–15:45, 16:00–17:00 | Sunday, June 14, 2026 — 10:00–11:00, 11:15–12:15, 13:30–14:30, 14:45–15:45, 16:00–17:00
Workshop "The Z-Animals of Prehistory"
Children explore prehistoric animals and the art of depicting them from over 15,000 years ago. Using wooden stencils, oil-based markers, or natural materials such as charcoal or ochre, they can then create their own panel in the style of the earliest artists and turn it into a collaborative work.
Participation conditions: Booking required; children aged 3 to 5 must be accompanied by a parent who does not need to book — Free | Booking required - https://affluences.com/fr/sites/musee-darcheologie-nationale/reservation?type=1460&resource=104827&date=2026-04-22
Schedule: Saturday, June 13, 2026 - 10:30 ⤏ 11:30
Workshop: Discovering Archaeology – Excavation
Explore the dig of a recreated archaeological site. Each person is responsible for excavating a sector, uncovering a small portion of the site along with faithful replicas of archaeological objects. Once the dig is complete, the aim is to inventory and sketch the remains and finds, so we can all understand the site’s function and what it reveals about the people who once lived there.
Participation requirements: On-site registration on the day of the event, for ages eight and up – Free
Hours: Saturday, June 13, 2026 — 11:00 to 12:00, 12:30 to 13:30, 14:30 to 15:30, 16:00 to 17:00, 17:30 to 18:30 | Sunday, June 14, 2026 — 11:00 to 12:00, 12:30 to 13:30, 14:30 to 15:30, 16:00 to 17:00, 17:30 to 18:30
Faton Editions
Founded in 1964, a key partner of the National Archaeology Museum, Faton Editions specializes in publishing magazines and journals on archaeology, art history, sport, and mathematics and science, as well as in producing reference works in the fields of decorative arts, graphic arts, glassmaking, ceramics, and bookbinding.
Participation requirements: There is also a drawing contest for ages 3 and up — free of charge
Hours: Saturday, June 13, 2026 — 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM | Sunday, June 14, 2026 — 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Workshop "Bronze Age Tanning"
Step into the Bronze Age world of hide processing. Vegetal tanning / fat tanning: come uncover their mysteries by trying your hand at a few time-honored techniques from the tanner’s craft!
Participation conditions: The workshop runs continuously. On-site registration on the day of the event — free.
Hours: Saturday, 13 June 2026, 11:00–18:00 | Sunday, 14 June 2026, 11:00–18:00
Workshop on "Archaeology and the Bronze Age"
Come explore archaeology and its methods through the study of precious metals: bronze and gold. As a family, a board game will let the youngest become real archaeologists by excavating a Bronze Age site.
Workshop led by Terra Antiqua
Participation conditions: On-site registration on the day of the event, for ages 7 and up – free
Hours: Saturday, June 13, 2026 — 11:00–13:00, 14:00–18:00 | Sunday, June 14, 2026 — 11:00–13:00, 14:00–18:00
Overview of the Society of Friends of the National Archaeology Museum (SAMAN)
The Friends of the National Archaeology Museum (SAMAN) aim to boost the institution’s profile. They also contribute to expanding the museum’s collections through donations or purchases of works. They offer every appropriate kind of support to promote exhibitions organized by the museum’s curatorial team, and, more broadly, they collaborate in highlighting the château and the collections it houses.
Participation requirements: Open access – Free of charge
Hours: Saturday, June 13, 2026 — 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM | Sunday, June 14, 2026 — 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Bronze Metallurgy Demonstration
Explore the ancient craftsmanship of Bronze Age metallurgy through metal casting performed using several techniques: lost-wax, sand, and stone molds.
Demonstration led by Arkéo Fabrik.
Participation requirements: On-site registration on the day of the event – Free
Schedule: Saturday, June 13, 2026 — 11:00–12:30, 14:00–18:00 | Sunday, June 14, 2026 — 11:00–12:30, 14:00–18:00
Workshop "Mycenaean Clay Pendant"
Create your finest pendant by exploring the molding techniques of Mycenaean art. You’ll go through each step—forming, unmoulding, and drying—to craft a small relief horse you can keep as a keepsake.
Presented by Les Portes de l’Histoire
Participation requirements: On-site registration on the day of the event, for ages 4 and up — Free
Hours: Saturday, June 13, 2026 — 11:00 to 12:00, 12:30 to 14:30, 15:00 to 16:30, 17:00 to 18:00 | Sunday, June 14, 2026 — 11:00 to 12:00, 12:30 to 14:30, 15:00 to 16:30, 17:00 to 18:00
Workshop: Dressing in Bronze Age Attire
The Chercheurs d’Art (chéologie) association presents two family-friendly workshops on how to craft a Bronze Age sun disk. For kids and grown-ups alike, come make a belt pendant to wear as the ancients did. And for adults, try on the garments of the northern elites and capture the moment with a Polaroid souvenir.
Participation terms: On-site registration on the day of the event – Free
Opening hours: Saturday, 13 June 2026 — 11:00 ⤏ 18:00 | Sunday, 14 June 2026 — 11:00 ⤏ 18:00
Workshop: Brassware in the Bronze Age
This workshop invites you to explore Bronze Age metalworking techniques, showcasing a live demonstration of bowl shaping and an overview of the tools and craft of the bronze-smith.
Demonstration led by the Prometae team – Université Paris I, in partnership with MSH Mondes and APERA.
Participation terms: Open access – Free
Hours: Saturday, June 13, 2026, 11:00 AM–6:00 PM | Sunday, June 14, 2026, 11:00 AM–6:00 PM
Workshop "In the Bronze Age House: Pottery and Know-How"
Step inside a Bronze Age house and become a potter! Explore, in virtual reality, a dwelling 3,000 years old, then get your hands dirty: craft your coil-built pottery and adorn it with authentic Bronze Age motifs!
Virtual tour created by PCR HABATA, a partnership of the University of Lille, the Pas-de-Calais Department, and Inrap. The workshop is led by the MAN's digital development department.
Participation requirements: On-site registration on the day of the event, for ages 8 and up — Free
Hours: Saturday, June 13, 2026 - 11:00 ⤏ 12:00, 12:30 ⤏ 13:30, 14:30 ⤏ 15:30, 16:30 ⤏ 17:30 | Sunday, June 14, 2026 - 11:00 ⤏ 12:00, 12:30 ⤏ 13:30, 14:30 ⤏ 15:30, 16:30 ⤏ 17:30
Guided tour: "The Masters of Fire. The Bronze Age in France, 2300–800 BC"
This exhibition, the product of a collaboration between the National Archaeology Museum (MAN), the National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research (Inrap), and the Association for the Promotion of Bronze Age Research (APRAB), shows how the evolution of metallurgy accompanied, both symbolically and culturally, the profound upheavals that reshaped Western European society. This era transformed the French landscape into a crossroads of cultures.
Participation requirements : Family-friendly, from age 8 — Free | Booking required - https://affluences.com/fr/sites/musee-darcheologie-nationale/reservation?type=4795&date=2026-04-22&resource=125026
Schedule: Saturday, June 13, 2026 — 11:00 to 12:30 | Sunday, June 14, 2026 — 14:00 to 15:30
Performance "The Mycenaean Chariot"
The Mycenaean civilization, which flourished during the Bronze Age, stands as one of the most striking cultures of ancient Greece. Through the reconstruction of a Mycenaean chariot, emblematic of power and prestige, The Portals of History invites you to discover this fascinating era where historical reality meets heroic myth.
Presented by The Portals of History
Participation conditions: No reservation required – Free
Schedule: Saturday, June 13, 2026 – 12:00 ⤏ 12:30, 14:30 ⤏ 15:00, 16:30 ⤏ 17:00 | Sunday, June 14, 2026 – 12:00 ⤏ 12:30, 14:30 ⤏ 15:00, 16:30 ⤏ 17:00
Workshop: "Mosaics in Roman Gaul"
Discover the mosaic technique, tracing its journey from the Greeks’ use of pebbles to the Romans’ tesserae, who carried the art to its zenith. Each participant will learn the basics and create a copy of a mosaic detail in the Roman style, and will be able to take their finished piece home.
Eligibility: From 8 years old and up — Free | Reservation required — https://affluences.com/fr/sites/musee-darcheologie-nationale/reservation?type=1460&resources=89532&date=2026-04-15&resource=89532
Schedule: Saturday, June 13, 2026 — 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM | Sunday, June 14, 2026 — 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM
The oldest known IGN map: a musical interpretation of the Saint-Bélec slab
Born from the writer's fascination with the Saint-Bélec slab, the first known IGN map unfolds as a musical reverie. The narrator's thoughts drift as she travels, pairing the protohistoric “map” with an intimate, fragmented cartography.
This poetic and musical duo is made up of Émilie Cousteix, writer and actress, and Alix Beucher, guitarist and singer.
Participation conditions: On-site same-day registration, open to those 12 and older — Free
Hours: Saturday, June 13, 2026 – 2:00 PM–2:30 PM, 4:00 PM–4:30 PM
Guided tour: "Edouard Piette Room and Collection"
Piette Hall houses an extraordinary trove of tools, weapons, and prehistoric art objects, including the famed Dame de Brassempouy, unearthed at the end of the 19th century by Edouard Piette. The room offers a rare glimpse into the scientific work and the museography of archaeology as it was practiced more than a century ago.
Participation requirements: Family-friendly, for ages 11 and up - Free | Booking required - https://affluences.com/fr/sites/musee-darcheologie-nationale/reservation?type=1458&resource=2148&date=2026-04-22
Schedule: Saturday, June 13, 2026 — 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM
Guided tour "Cauldrons and Dragons"
Come explore the Gauls’ Celtic world through enchanting tales of metamorphosis, the mysteries of nature’s powers, and the presence of mythical beings. As you journey along, extraordinary objects will be linked to the legends, offering a fresh perspective on Gaulish civilization.
Participation requirements: Family-friendly, from age 7 - Free | Reservation required - https://affluences.com/fr/sites/musee-darcheologie-nationale/reservation?type=1456&date=2026-04-22&resource=112880
Schedule: Saturday, June 13, 2026 — 3:45 PM to 4:45 PM
Guided tour: "Life in the Time of the Gauls"
The Gauls lived in a period known as the "Second Iron Age." This was a mosaic of peoples who inhabited a territory named "Gaul" by the Romans and Greeks, part of a vast family of populations that came from Eastern Europe: the Celts. United by a common language, but also by shared beliefs, material culture, and a common art, the Gauls were spread across numerous tribes and independent lands. How and where did they live? How did this Celtic culture express itself? This visit invites you to discover their daily life, beliefs, and art through the museum's collections.
Participation conditions: Family-friendly, for ages 7 and up - Free | Reservation required - https://affluences.com/fr/sites/musee-darcheologie-nationale/reservation?type=1456&resource=28551&date=2026-04-22
Schedule: Saturday, June 13, 2026 — 3:45 PM to 4:45 PM
Guided tour: The Art of the Bronze Worker
The Bronze Age is a period defined by the rise of bronze metallurgy, a craft that, in its early days, shone like gold. With the help of an activity booklet, set off on a quest for this little‑known era that will reveal its treasures…
Participation rules: Family-friendly, suitable for ages 8 and up - Free | Booking required - https://affluences.com/fr/sites/musee-darcheologie-nationale/reservation?type=1456&resource=26460&date=2026-04-22
Schedule: Sunday, June 14, 2026 — 11:00 AM ⤏ 12:30 PM
Workshop "Archaeology, what a project!"
This workshop offers an engaging introduction to stratigraphic excavation through a playable model. Put on your archaeologist’s hat and explore the life of a site layer by layer—from prehistory to today—as you lead the field operations of a preventive dig. We’ll also cover elements of the legislation governing preventive archaeology and highlight key bioarchaeology disciplines.
Participation requirements: From 10 years old and up — Free | Booking mandatory - https://affluences.com/fr/sites/musee-darcheologie-nationale/reservation?type=1460&resource=104469&date=2026-04-22
Schedule: Sunday, June 14, 2026 — 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM
Masters of Fire. The Bronze Age in France, 2300–800 BCE — Visit in LSF
This exhibition, born of a collaboration between the National Archaeology Museum (MAN), the National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research (Inrap), and the Association for the Promotion of Bronze Age Research (APRAB), reveals how the evolution of metallurgy accompanied, both symbolically and culturally, the profound upheavals that reshaped Western European society. This era turned French territory into a crossroads of cultures.
Reservations at the email address: reservation.man@culture.gouv.fr
Participation requirements: Family-friendly, for ages 8 and up, tour in French Sign Language — Free | Booking essential - https://musee-archeologienationale.fr/agenda/evenement/les-maitres-du-feu-visite-en-lsf
Schedule: Sunday, June 14, 2026 — 2:30 PM–4:00 PM
Guided tour "The First Villages"
The Neolithic marks a turning point. Having become the producer of his own sustenance rather than a hunter, man now wields influence over his environment and settles in place. He builds the first villages and the earliest necropolises, raises the megaliths, the first great architectures of the world. A series of technical innovations emerges: polished stone, pottery, weaving. The first long-distance exchange networks begin to take shape.
Participation conditions: Family-friendly, for ages 7 and up - Free | Reservation required - https://affluences.com/fr/sites/musee-darcheologie-nationale/reservation?type=1456&date=2026-04-22&resource=28547
Schedule: Sunday, June 14, 2026 – 3:45 PM to 4:45 PM
Guided tour: The Iliad and the Odyssey
The Trojan War has been raging for nearly ten years. It pits Achaeans from all across Greece against the Trojans and their allies. In front of the fortified city, hundreds of besieging ships lie ashore, forming their encampment. This visit offers a chance to explore the epics of the Iliad and the Odyssey through the museum’s collections.
Participation requirements: Family-friendly, open to children from 7 years old - Free | Booking required - https://affluences.com/fr/sites/musee-darcheologie-nationale/reservation?type=1456&resource=28537&date=2026-04-22
Schedule: Sunday, June 14, 2026 — 3:45 PM to 4:45 PM
This page may contain AI-assisted elements, more information here.
Dates and Opening Time
From June 13, 2026 to June 14, 2026
Location
National Archaeology Museum
Domaine National de Saint-Germain-en-Laye
78100 Saint Germain en Laye
Route planner
Official website
musee-archeologienationale.fr
![[En attente de visuels] Sous les arbres de ce domaine se cache une demeure dessinée par l’architecte de Napoléon](https://cdn.sortiraparis.com/images/1021/66131/1327749-sous-les-arbres-de-ce-domaine-se-cache-une-demeure-dessinee-par-l-architecte-de-napoleon.jpg)
![[En attente de visuels] Sous les arbres de ce domaine se cache une demeure dessinée par l’architecte de Napoléon](https://cdn.sortiraparis.com/images/1022/66131/1327749-sous-les-arbres-de-ce-domaine-se-cache-une-demeure-dessinee-par-l-architecte-de-napoleon.jpg)
![[En attente de visuels] Sous les arbres de ce domaine se cache une demeure dessinée par l’architecte de Napoléon](https://cdn.sortiraparis.com/images/1023/66131/1327749-sous-les-arbres-de-ce-domaine-se-cache-une-demeure-dessinee-par-l-architecte-de-napoleon.jpg)
![[En attente de visuels] Sous les arbres de ce domaine se cache une demeure dessinée par l’architecte de Napoléon](https://cdn.sortiraparis.com/images/1024/66131/1327749-sous-les-arbres-de-ce-domaine-se-cache-une-demeure-dessinee-par-l-architecte-de-napoleon.jpg)
