Every year, we wouldn’t miss the European Heritage Days (September 19–20, 2026) for anything in the world—they give us the chance to step inside secret, private places that are usually closed to the public. To help you navigate the entire program, we’ve selected the must-see events… and we’ll leave the booking up to you!
We enter the heart of City Hall
Usually, only the facade of City Hall and the statues that adorn it can be admired. But on September 19 and 20, its doors will open, allowing us to wander through its reception rooms, its library, and even its Council Chamber. Throughout the tour, we’ll have the chance to meet the people who know all its secrets: the artisans, historians, and restorers whose expertise beautify and bring this iconic place to life. Also on the program: vintage photographs on display as part of the bicentennial of photography, exhibits highlighting “matrimoine” (a blend of “matériel” and “patrimoine”), and even a model of the Charles-de-Gaulle aircraft carrier. Register soon so you don’t miss out!
Uncovering Paris's Secrets
Calling all Indiana Jones fans! You don’t have to travel to the other side of the world to see treasures. Tucked away in the18th arrondissement, the City of Paris’s archaeological storage facilities house, across more than 800 m², thousands of artifacts that reveal the untold stories of Parisian history. From stone to glass, ceramics, metal, and even bones, you’ll marvel at these finds and enjoy a guided tour explaining what happens after the excavations and the meticulous work of the researchers. Fascinating!
We take a peek behind the scenes at the hidden treasures of the Paris art world
Who hasn’t dreamed of sneaking around like a little mouse in the capital’s most secret places? On September 18, the Contemporary Art Fund’s storage facilities will open their doors for a special event, revealing hundreds of works carefully preserved away from the exhibition halls. Inside the facility, conservators and experts will show us how they handle all these contemporary works on a daily basis.
We're taking off into space without leaving Paris
While French astronaut Sophie Adenot conducted a spacewalk outside the International Space Station a few days ago, the European Space Agency is opening its doors to give us a behind-the-scenes look at the space race. Satellites, rockets, lunar missions, meetings with experts, and even a simulation of the ESA Council: here, you don’t need a spacesuit or a rocket to be amazed.
We marvel at talented artisans
In the heart of the Marais (Central Paris), the Hôtel de Croisilles is opening its doors for the first time to showcase artisanal artists. On the program: demonstrations of wood woodcarving, artistic metalwork, decorative painting, and mosaic art, adding a new dimension to France’s cultural heritage. From Notre-Dame to Versailles, via the Opéra Garnier and the Grand Palais, these exceptional crafts are behind some of France’s most iconic projects.
We take a look behind the scenes at the Musée des Arts et Métiers
Never mind that a certain saying tries to portray curiosity as a bad trait: we encourage you to let your adventurous spirit wander into the capital’s most hidden corners. As you explore the storerooms of the Musée des Arts et Métiers (Paris Center), you’re bound to uncover a myriad of well-kept secrets. From the wild history of the Saint-Martin-des-Champs Church (10th arrondissement) to the inventions developed by the Chappe telegraph—which, in the early19th century, was the fastest communication network in the world—you’ll gather a wealth of fascinating anecdotes to share at your next dinner party.
Settings Text Html
