This is one of the most eagerly anticipated events of the European Heritage Days in Paris. On Saturday, September 19, and Sunday, September 20, 2026, the Banque de France will open its headquarters in the 1st arrondissement and the Hôtel de Toulouse to the public free of charge. The tour will offer visitors the chance to discover both the site’s architectural heritage and a behind-the-scenes look at the institution, with registration opening in two phases: on September 3 and 10 at 2 p.m.
The tour will begin with an exhibition featuring iconic banknotes and a 12-meter frieze chronicling more than two centuries of the Banque de France’s history, founded in 1800. Several exhibits will then explain how banknotes are made, from paper production to printing, and will introduce visitors to the “TRI” method (Feel, Look, Tilt) used to verify their authenticity.
The Golden Gallery and the salons of the Banque de France open to the public
Above all, the tour will provide access to several heritage spaces that are rarely open to the public. Visitors will be able to explore the Golden Gallery, the state rooms with their 18th-century furnishings, and the governor’s office. Housed in the Hôtel de Toulouse, the Banque de France has occupied part of this former private mansion since the early 19th century.
of the Banque de France’s gold bars are stored in a massive secure facility nicknamed “la Souterraine,” located several meters underground. The tour will not provide direct access to the vaults, but a dedicated area will allow visitors to learn more about how they operate and the role of the gold held by the institution.
Bank of France staff will be on hand throughout the weekend to answer questions about monetary policy, financial stability, cybersecurity, and financial education. And for the first time, the Climate and Biodiversity Tour will also be set up in the Jardin du Gouverneur. This scientific and interactive exhibition, suitable for ages 9 and up, will explore the links between climate and biodiversity.
Admission will be free but by reservation only. Given the success of previous editions—more than 30,000 visitors explored the Banque de France’s various sites in 2025!
Location: Banque de France, entrance at 31 rue Croix-des-Petits-Champs, 75001 Paris
Hours: Saturday, September 19, and Sunday, September 20, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., last admission at 5 p.m., by reservation only.