Architecture Days 2026 in Paris: step inside Victor Hugo's House on the Place des Vosges

For Architecture Days in Paris, explore Victor Hugo's House on Place des Vosges: secrets of the Marais, the Henri IV façade, and literary behind-the-scenes insights on the agenda.

Did you know that a hidden back door from the Place des Vosges once allowed you to slip discreetly toward Rue Saint-Antoine? On the occasion of the National Architecture Days, which run from the 16 to 18 October 2026, built heritage from Paris and Île-de-France unfolds in a new light. This cultural rendezvous invites the public to look up to understand the history of our neighborhoods, to rediscover the role of architects, and to explore remarkable buildings. At the heart of the Marais, the Victor Hugo House, perched in the former hôtel de Rohan-Guéménée, takes part in this grand urban celebration.

La maison de Victor Hugo à Paris, une immersion artistique dans l'univers du célèbre écrivain français
La Maison de Victor Hugo is hidden in Place des Vosges, in the heart of Paris. This museum dedicated to the most famous of French authors lets visitors step into the apartment where the artist and his family lived, as well as into his artistic universe. [Read more]

Hôtel de Rohan-Guéménée: a jewel of brick-and-stone architecture

Built in the early 17th century, the building meets the stringent specifications Henry IV demanded for the former Place Royale. This architectural style is distinguished by a marked polychromy: façades alternating red brick and white limestone ashlar for the quoins and jambs, topped by tall blue-slate roofs pierced by dormers.

From the literary salon to the municipal museum

The monument today bears the mission of reviving the daily life of Victor Hugo, who rented the apartment on the second floor from 1832 to 1848, as well as his graphic and decorative work. It is here, facing the leafy square, that the writer composed a large portion of the Les Misérables. While it is said that he personally designed the complete layout of every room when he moved in, much of this eclectic décor would, in fact, be late reconstructions inspired by his exile on Guernsey. Pushing open the doors of the place during these autumn days allows one to fuse the classical rigor of Parisian architecture with the rich imagination of the standard-bearer of Romanticism.

The 2026 Architecture Days program at Victor Hugo's House

The aesthete’s gaze and the believer’s gaze: religious heritage, national heritage
As part of the Hugo and Architecture exhibition, Isabelle Saint-Martin, head of studies at the École Pratique des Hautes Études, will tackle the intricate process of transforming ecclesiastical property into national heritage in the 19th century.

The exhibition will be open for self-guided visits from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. on the day of the lecture.
Participation requirements: Free of charge | Booking required - https://framaforms.org/journees-de-larchitecture-a-la-maison-de-victor-hugo-1779128267
Schedule: Thursday, 15 October 2026 — 18:00–19:00, 19:00–19:30
The Paris city authorities and their heritage (1830-1848)
As part of the exhibition "Hugo and Architecture," Baptiste Dumas-Piro, a doctoral candidate at the Centre André-Chastel and whose thesis focuses on the Count of Rambuteau, prefect of the Seine from 1833 to 1848, will outline the reflections and actions taken by the Paris city authorities toward its heritage between 1830 and 1848.

The exhibition will be open for self-guided visits from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. on the day of the conference.
Participation requirements: Free of charge; reservations required - https://framaforms.org/journees-de-larchitecture-a-la-maison-de-victor-hugo-1779128267
Schedule: Friday, October 16, 2026 – 18:00–19:00, 19:00–20:30
Restoration of Rouen Cathedral's spire
Within the framework of the exhibition "Hugo and Architecture," Richard Duplat, Chief Architect of Historic Monuments and Heritage Inspector, will discuss the challenges of cathedral restoration, notably through a presentation on the Rouen Cathedral renovation project.

The exhibition will be open for self-guided visits from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. on the day of the conference.
Participation conditions: Limited to 50 attendees - Free | Reservation required - https://framaforms.org/journees-de-larchitecture-a-la-maison-de-victor-hugo-1779128267
Schedule: Saturday, October 17, 2026 — 6:00 PM–7:00 PM, 7:00 PM–8:30 PM

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