HERITAGE DAYS. In Paris, Île-de-France, Marseille, Nantes, Rennes, Lille etc. the European Heritage Days are taking place this weekend throughout France, on September 21 and 22. See the program and map.
[Mis à jour le 19 septembre 2024 à 14h37] The European Heritage Days (EHD) will take place this weekend, Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 September 2024. Throughout the country, and in many cities such as Toulouse, Paris, Strasbourg, Lyon or Bordeaux, it is an opportunity to discover places as you have never seen them before and for free. An interactive map allows you to find, around you, the places that are participating in the EHD.
Cultural sites such as museums, castles, theaters or national monuments are accessible with backstage tours. Outdoor activities are also offered. In Paris, even if the event quickly sells out, it is possible, as every year, to visit the Élysée Palace and some ministries are open for the occasion. To sort through all the proposals, it is also possible to find an activity near you by using the map.
Where to go for Heritage Days? The map
Discover the program of the 2024 Heritage Days thanks to the interactive map which allows, city by city, region by region, to find an event near you. Some will seize the opportunity to visit a cultural hotspot, exceptionally for free, and to enjoy unique activities for an original visit. Others will head towards one of these wonders of our heritage which can only be visited once a year in September.
What is the program for Heritage Days?
Museums, castles, palaces, private mansions, institutes, town halls, embassies, theatres and even private residences open their doors. These are places that are often closed the rest of the year and reveal the behind the scenes of their decor on this occasion. Combining public and private initiatives, the 41e European Heritage Days on the themes of “Heritage of routes, networks and connections” and “Maritime heritage” provide an opportunity to publicise the action of public authorities and to present the work of those who work to promote knowledge, safeguarding and enhancement of heritage.
What to see in Paris during the 2024 Heritage Days?
Here is a non-exhaustive selection of places you can visit in the capital during the European Heritage Days 2024:
- There RATP offers a whole program of visits and activities, as part of its 75th anniversary: rides in vintage buses, behind-the-scenes visits to the metro including the Cinéma station, visits to the Saint Germain-en-Laye archives, two guided tours of the network, presentation of the iconic Sprague-Thomson train… Registration required.
- On the forecourt of the cathedral Notre Dame of Paristhe public institution responsible for the conservation and restoration of the cathedral, offers an exceptional immersion into the heart of the cathedral’s restoration operations. In this construction site village installed on the cathedral forecourt, meetings, demonstrations, participatory workshops and conferences will take place with all the trades working towards the rebirth of the monument: teams from the public establishment, architects, companies, companions, craftsmen, etc. The whole program.
- THE Army Museum opens the doors of its new visitor space “Les Invalides: between history and memories” for free. This new tour allows the Army Museum to reaffirm its special link with the Hôtel des Invalides, founded by Louis XIV, and to tell visitors the history of the site in which they are located.
- There Holy Chapelfamous for its 1,113 light-filled stained glass windows and built to house Christ’s crown of thorns, is offering free, open-air tours on Saturday, September 21 and Sunday, September 22 throughout the day.
- Visit of the Elysée Palace : as every year, the building is visited free of charge. A unique opportunity to discover the backstage of the republic, from the courtyard with its official vehicles to the president’s office and the gardens… Don’t wait to book.
- THE museum of the franc-masonry welcomes visitors free of charge and without reservation on Saturday, September 21 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, September 22 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. As part of the centenary of the surrealist movement and the exhibition Le Château Etoilé et la Parole Perdue, the museum presents: Le trésor des Jésuites, a surrealist piece by André Breton and Louis Aragon.
- THE Museum of Man offers to discover for free all weekend the performances of the incredible masked fanfare The Hurluberlus and its fabulous permanent collections.
What to do for Heritage Days in Île-de-France?
Among the proposals from institutions that are opening their doors for free in the Paris region, here is our TOP 3 of visits not to be missed during the European Heritage Days 2024:
- THE Air and Space Museum opens the doors of its collections and its reserves and aircraft maintenance and restoration workshops, located in Dugny on the edge of the runway of Paris-Le Bourget airport, free of charge, with the possibility of visiting the A380 exhibited on the museum’s tarmac. The program.
- THE Palace of Versailles : visitors to this heritage weekend are invited to celebrate the horse with the exhibition Horse in majesty, at the heart of a civilization ! The castle opens the free Gallery of Coaches and offers specific programming.
- THE Saint-Cloud National Estate opens its doors for historical walks, guided tours, public readings and water games. The historical walks will be hosted by the Trois Clouds troupe. View information, timetables and prices.
What are the dates of the 2024 Heritage Days?
The 41st edition of the European Heritage Days will be held on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 September 2024. More than 16,000 public and private places will exceptionally open their doors during these two days.