Architecture Days 2026: go behind the scenes of Paris's Tolbiac port

For the 2026 National Architecture Days, head to the heart of Tolbiac port in the 13th arrondissement to glimpse the behind-the-scenes life of the port in eastern Paris.

Concrete silos sculpted like artworks along the banks of the Seine? That’s the raw, captivating backdrop on offer at the port de Tolbiac, moored at the foot of the Bibliothèque François-Mitterrand in the 13e arrondissement of Paris. From the 16 to 18 October 2026, the Journées nationales de l’architecture return to make Paris and the Île-de-France buzz. This cultural rendezvous invites curious minds and enthusiasts to view our everyday landscapes with a fresh eye, to understand the technical choices of builders and to swing open the gates of familiar edifices or those that are ordinarily closed to the public.

For the occasion, the Port of Tolbiac, managed within the Ports de Paris Est complex, offers a glimpse of port life at the heart of the capital. Deeply modernized over the decades, the port embodies the renewal of the contemporary industrial architecture, a movement dedicated to integrating productive imperatives into a dense urban fabric.

Here, the concrete plant designed by vib architecture stands out with its bold polygonal silhouette, steel-framed chutes, and perforated cylindrical silos that converse with the modern towers of Paris Rive Gauche. The use of textured façades and restrained metallic finishes helps minimize nuisance while giving the riverfront a distinctive visual signature.

The 2026 Architecture Days program at the Port de Tolbiac in Paris

The eastern ports of Paris — 20th & 21st-century industrial architecture
Strolling along the left- and right-bank promenades in Paris’s 13th and 12th arrondissements.

The evolution of industrial architecture, from the old port setups to the new ones shaping the harbor landscape.

How port activities in eastern Paris have contributed to city-building, and how they coexist with spaces and facilities dedicated to leisure and recreation.

The city’s relationship with the river, with perspectives on notable buildings.

Visit conducted in partnership with HAROPA PORT.
Participation requirements: Adults €8, under 18s €5, limited to 15 participants, please wear sturdy footwear - standard rate | Booking required - https://exploreparis.com/fr/9271-les-ports-du-12e-13e-ou-la-conciliation-des-usages.html
Schedule: Sunday, October 18, 2026 — 11:00–12:30

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