Among the myriad activities on offer during the European Heritage Days, the Archives Nationales museum, home to tens of thousands of historical treasures, will be opening its doors for exceptional tours. This is your chance to discover the secrets of this institution, which houses the Edict of Nantes, the Constitution of 1791 and the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen.
Exceptional tours of the Archives Nationales in September
Founded during the French Revolution, the Archives Nationales collects, preserves and showcases the founding documents of the French state, from medieval manuscripts to contemporary archives, covering almost 300 linear kilometers spread between Paris, Pierrefitte-sur-Seine and Fontainebleau. In Paris, they are housed in the elegant Hôtel de Soubise, an architectural showcase nestling in the Marais district.
The Journées du Patrimoine program includes access to permanent and temporary exhibitions, including “Victor Hugo, le testament”, on view until January 26, 2026. A guided tour of the mansion will also be offered from September 18, to discover the princely salons with their refined decor and to better understand the building’s exceptional architecture.
In addition to the princely salons of the Hôtel de Soubise, visitors to the Journées du Patrimoine can also discover the Grands Dépôts, immense vaulted rooms built in the 19th century to house miles of archives. Listed as historic monuments, these spaces are as impressive for their architecture as for the wealth of documents they contain.
Among the most emblematic treasures is the Armoire de Fer, an imposing safe designed in 1790 to protect the most precious items in French history. Important documents such as the Declaration of the Rights of Man, Louis XVI’s will and Napoleon’s will are still kept here today. A true symbol of national memory, this cabinet embodies the Archives’ mission: to preserve and pass on the texts that have shaped the country.
📍Location: Archives Nationales de Paris – 60, rue des Francs-Bourgeois, 75003
📆 Dates: September 20 and 21, 2025
💶 Price: free admission