Since 1984, the European Heritage Days enable you to discover your city’s hidden treasures. In Paris, as elsewhere in France, you’ll push open the doors to secret places rarely open to the public: civil or religious monuments, art buildings, institutional buildings, industrial infrastructures… The opportunity to explore unique and unusual places! The next days are scheduled for Saturday September 21 and Sunday September 22! Mark your calendars!
Heritage Days: everything you need to know about this new edition in Paris
On a national scale, the guiding theme of this new edition will be Maritime Heritage, which will be tackled in a variety of ways.
Open to everyone, whatever their age, Heritage Days are a great opportunity to learn a little more about Paris’s cultural treasures. Among the many sites to discover over the weekend, here are our favorites:
Enter the Palais de l’Élysée
Every year, the Palais de l’Élysée opens its doors for an exceptional weekend. To be able to visit it, you’ll absolutely need to register on the official Élysée website.
Visit the fake Paris metro station
Did you know that there is a fake metro station in Paris? This Station Cinéma is specially reserved for film and commercial shoots, and this metro station is definitely worth a visit.
Push open the doors of the Comédie-Française
Ever wondered what happens once the curtains come down? Discover all the secrets of the Comédie-Française on a private tour! Registration is by email.
Get behind the scenes at an Hôtel Drouot auction
During Heritage Days,go behind the scenes of an auction at the prestigious Hôtel Drouot. A fascinating journey, from the collection of paintings by the great masters to the appraisal to the sale.
Admiring the mechanism of the Eiffel Tower
Discover the well-kept secrets of the Eiffel Tower mechanism. It’s thanks to them that the tower’s elevators, unique in the world, are able to transport several million visitors every year. A fascinating journey! Book your slot on the official website toureiffel.paris.
Take in the sights in one of France’s most beautiful libraries: the BNF
It’s certainly one of the most sumptuous libraries in France. The Bibliothèque Richelieu opens its doors and invites you to stroll through its emblematic rooms for the time of an exceptional weekend. Reopened after 12 years of renovation, the Richelieu room houses literary treasures such as Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables, as well as objects belonging to the Kings of France: King Dagobert’s throne, Charlemagne’s chessboard etc.
Play an escape game in the Faculty of Pharmacy
When you enter the Faculty of Pharmacy in the 6th arrondissement of Paris, you’ll find a mysterious parchment containing an incomplete formula… It’s up to you to explore the 19th-century college, to find all the answers to your questions.
Getting spooked in the Catacombs of Paris
You don’t have to wait for Halloween to get spooked! This weekend, head to the Catacombs of Paris, for a free guided tour of the most atypical. Open to the public since 1809, Les Catacombes is the world’s largest ossuary. A n authentic maze for exploring the underground world of the City of Light!
Have a treat at Alain Ducasse’s chocolate factory
Gourmets are in for a treat! Michelin-starred chef Alain Ducasse opens the doors of his factory for you to immerse yourself in the world of chocolate. A visit that will awaken your taste buds! Free booking on lechocolat-alainducasse.com.
Discover the art of Japanese tea at the Musée Guimet
The Musée Guimet houses a secret: an authentic Japanese teahouse. To get there, you’ll have to pass through a small vegetated path, surrounded by bamboo. A trip to the land of the rising sun without leaving Paris!