The European Archaeology Days take place on June 14, 15 and 16, 2024, and are open to everyone! Discover the activities on offer in Paris and the Île-de-France region.
Archaeology is a fascinating scientific discipline, which enables us to find and study the remains left by those who came before us. Constructions and buildings, burials, everyday objects, human and animal skeletons, works of art: each discovery offers new insights into human beings and societies of the past.
For more than 10 years, the European Archaeology Days, organized by Inrap under the aegis of the French Ministry of Culture, have been inviting young and old alike to go behind the scenes of archaeology through educational activities, meetings and visits in the company of researchers. The event is an opportunity not only to discover the archaeology profession, but also to find out more about the richness of our local heritage!
These famous Days are back for a 15th edition, from June 14 to 16, 2024! During these three days, you'll be able to take part in as manyfun activities as possible, in Paris and the Ile-de-France region. To help you choose from this rich program, here's a selection of family outings to enjoy this weekend.
The program for the Journées Nationales de l'Archéologie 2024:
- Musée des Plans-Reliefs
- Guided tour "L'archéologie au fil des plans-reliefs"
Follow the guide to discover the world's only collection of plan-reliefs, historic models of fortified sites built between the reigns of Louis XIV and Napoleon III. From Mont Saint-Michel to Toulon, via Bayonne and the Ile de Ré, visitors will see how these very special objects have served (and continue to serve!) as archaeological tools and historical witnesses to the evolution of towns.
Free on presentation of admission ticket.
No reservation necessary, subject to availability.
Meet at the museum reception desk on the 4th floor of the Hôtel des Invalides.
Saturday June 15 and Sunday June 16
- Mont et merveilles family workshop
After a brief presentation of the museum, families will discover one of the masterpieces in the collection: the plan-relief of Mont Saint-Michel. The activity continues with a creative workshop in which parents and children put their talents to work to create a small animated "pop-up" map inspired by the Mont.
Registration required: pedagogie.plans-reliefs@culture.gouv.fr
Free
Saturday June 15, 10:30 am - 12:30 pm
- Institut du Monde Arabe
ARCHÉO-IMA workshop
Mysterious objects sent to the IMA need your investigative skills to reveal their identity... You'll have to observe, describe, compare and draw them: essential laboratory work before they can join the museum's collections. The IMA needs your skills as a young archaeologist!
Free
Saturday June 15, 14:30 - 16:30 and Sunday June 16, 15:00 - 17:00
- Paris Catacombs
Discovery tour
Exceptional opening of the Port-Mahon quarry. The Port-Mahon underground quarry, a protected historic monument, has the appearance of a virtually intact medieval quarry. Adjacent to the Catacombes de Paris, it was acquired by the City in 2021, but is not open to the public. This exceptional opening is organized by the Catacombes de Paris and OCRA (Organisation pour la Connaissance et la Restauration d'Au-dessous-terre).
Free
Friday June 14 and Saturday June 15
- Reserves of the Pôle archéologique de la Ville de Paris
Guided tour of the reserves of the Pôle archéologique de la Ville de Paris
On the occasion of the JEA, the Pôle archéologique de Paris opens the doors of its reserves. This vast 800 m² repository holds several thousand objects, stored according to size and material (stone, ceramics, bone, metal, glass, etc.). During a guided tour, discover the work carried out by researchers after the excavation and get to know Paris' archaeological heritage.
Six one-hour visit slots, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Reservations required).
Free
Friday June 14, 09:30 to 12:30 and 13:30 to 16:30
Adult public
- Musée de Préhistoire d'Île-de-France
Screening of the documentary "Le dernier chasseur de rennes"
An extraordinary archaeological site on the banks of the Seine marks the start of an investigation into the reindeer-hunting communities that frequented the Île-de-France region at the end of the Ice Age, 14,000 years ago. As scientific advances are made, this vanished society reveals its secrets, taking us to the Arctic frontiers, where the last representatives of the reindeer people live.
Free
Friday June 14, 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm
- Musée d'archéologie nationale - Saint-Germain-en-Laye
- Show
Educational duels
Presentation of warriors in arms and educational duels
Free
- Workshops
- Reconstitution of the Ancient Games
- Fighting in Ancient Rome: Roman weapons
- Etruscan and Roman landscapes reconstructed using Artificial Intelligence
- Little Squires
- Carpology and Archaeozoology, seeds and bones
- Slingers! Make your own slingshot
- Weapons presentation
- Games of strength
- Board games
- Paleolithic hunting - Slingshot contest
- Discovering archaeology: excavation
- Ancient games: weaving the victory headband
- Coloring and crafts
- Storytelling
- Animals in prehistoric art: the engraved bison
- Prehistoric animals
- Celtic coinage
- Roman frescoes
- Archeomaquette
- Discovering prehistoric painted caves
- Olympic gestures
- Guided tour
The Edouard Piette collection
The Piette Room is unlike any other museum room in the world. Numerous prehistoric masterpieces are on display, including the famous "Dame à la Capuche" discovered at Brassempouy, in the Landes region of France. Recently restored, the room has been brought into line with early 20th-century museography and current conservation standards. Embark on a real time machine for a one-of-a-kind visit!
Free
- Guided tour
A museum in a château
The château, now home to the Musée d'Archéologie Nationale and once a royal residence, will reveal its history. This tour will also enable you to discover the life of our ancestors through exceptional collections, from the Neolithic to the end of Gallic independence.
Free
- Guided tour
Living in Gaulish times
The Gauls lived at the end of Protohistory, in a period known as the "Second Iron Age" (between 480 and 52 BC). How and where did they live? How did this Celtic culture manifest itself? Take the whole family on a discovery of their daily life, beliefs and art, through the museum's exceptional collections
Free
- Screening "Autun: vestiges de la Rome gauloise"
Documentary by Blandine Josselin, 2021, RMC Films & RMC Production
Today, the town of Autun in Burgundy is a small sub-prefecture of 15,000 inhabitants. But in ancient times, Autun was called Augustodunum and was one of the largest and most spectacular cities in Roman Gaul, so enormous that it was nicknamed the Rome of Gaul. This documentary presents the archaeological investigation that has enabled us to explore the remains scattered throughout the modern city, as well as those still buried, which scientists continue to unearth year after year. Thanks to never-before-seen 3D reconstructions, as close as possible to the latest discoveries and produced in close collaboration with an archaeologist specializing in the ancient city, Augustodunum is finally ready to rise from the ashes.
Saturday June 15 and Sunday June 16
- Diodurum (City of the Gods) - Ithe Farm
- Exhibition
Discover the history of the Diodurum site and Ithe Farm. Take a self-guided tour and discover the history of the Diodurum archaeological site, from the ancient city to the Cistercian farm and the association's current development. A variety of thematic panels provide a fun, self-guided tour.
Free
- Guided tour of the Diodurum site and the Ithe farm in partnership with Inrap
Come and discover the archaeological site of Diodurum and the Cistercian barn at Ithe through a guided tour in partnership with Inrap.
Free
- Guided tour
Children's tour of Ithe Farm
Discover Ithe Farm and archaeology through a guided tour for children!
- Conference
Animation around the conservatory garden Come and discover all the secrets of the Ferme d'Ithe conservatory garden through a meeting with volunteers specializing in the field.
Free
- Archaeological dig initiation workshop
Two dig simulators for children and young people to discover archaeology and its principles. The workshop is supervised by 4 archaeology instructors. 12 children on each simulator every 2 hours.
Reservations by e-mail to reservationapsad@gmail.com. Please specify your child's age in order to register him/her on the corresponding simulator.
Free
- Materials discovery workshop
From 1 to 6 years old, take your child to discover the different building materials used in archaeology.
Free
- Gallo-Roman pottery workshop
Come and discover the special features of Gallo-Roman pottery and clay objects, while creating your own pot.
Free
- Ceramics workshop for children.
Would you like to try your hand at studying archaeological pottery? Become an archaeologist/ceramologist for the duration of an activity. An itinerant laboratory* in partnership with Inrap: reassembling, drawing, studying... The stages of an investigation to discover the work of an archaeological expert.
Ages 6 and up.
Reservations by e-mail to reservationapsad@gmail.com.
Free
- Ancient games
Discover and challenge other players to ancient and medieval games on the Ferme d'Ithe site.
Free
- Château de Montagu excavation site
- Guided tour of the castle and excavation site, led by the excavation team.
Tours depart every hour, no registration required
Free
Sunday, June 16
All publics
- Archaeological furniture workshop.
Stand presenting various artifacts found at the château. Presentation of ceramology
Free Sunday June 16
All publics
- Treasure hunt
Treasure hunt organized by the excavators for children (7-12 years), on the theme of Marcoussis castle and archaeology
Registration required: chantierfouillesmarcoussis@gmail.com
Free
Sunday June 16
Children
- Nanterre Archaeology Village
- Workshop Stands MSH-Mondes (Université Paris-Nanterre / CNRS)
Fabrique ta parure: making stone beads
L'école de scribes: discovering cuneiform writing. Participants leave with a tablet inscribed with their first name
Workshop on antique vases
Free
Saturday June 15 and Sunday June 16, 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm
- Workshop Inrap institutional stand
Inrap is responsible for the detection and study of archaeological heritage affected by land development work, carrying out diagnostics and excavations on behalf of public and private operators.
Free
Saturday June 15 and Sunday June 16
- Workshop Nanterre Tourist Office stand
Welcome visitors for the 2pm slot and promote local heritage.
Free
Saturday June 15 and Sunday June 16 from 14:00 to 18:00
- Workshop Stand of the Société d'Histoire de Nanterre
The association promotes local history and presents its works.
Free
Saturday June 15 and Sunday June 16 from 14:00 to 18:00
- Musée archéologique du Val d'Oise
- Show Une histoire des vikings
At the crossroads of circus arts, dance, fire arts, music and the strong, six artists from different worlds draw their inspiration from the Nordic universe and compete in prowess to take you on a journey through time.
Free
Sunday June 16 from 17:00 to 17:50
- Spectacle Le tournoi des clans
Bring the whole family on board for a historical, sporting and fun experience. Step back in time and slip into the shoes of a Viking warrior, straight from the North Seas. Test your agility, skill, stamina and strength with an introduction to combat, axe throwing, archery, climbing, a Viking wrestling demonstration, board games, ancient languages, divination or ornithology... Take up the challenges offered by the men and women of the North, and become an accomplished hero!
Free
Sunday June 16 from 13:00 to 18:00
We're not stopping there! Exceptionally, several sites in and around Paris will be opening their doors to the public free of charge during the event. Free entry for all, to be experienced only during these Archaeology Days!
A great program for learning lots of things while having fun!
