European Heritage Days 2026: ideas for visits in France

The 43rd edition of les Journées du Patrimoine (European Heritage Days) falls this weekend (September 19-20), with thousands of sites across France opening their doors to offer free visits and events.

This year’s European theme is Heritage at Risk: Revive, Resist, Reimagine. 

France’s national theme centres on the Heritage of Photography. This comes as part of a year-long celebration with a nationwide programme of photo-themed projects and events to mark 200 years since French inventor Nicéphore Niépce fixed the first permanent photographic images near Chalon-sur-Saône.

An interactive map is available to find heritage events near you. 

From the Banque de France to cave art centres, we look at some of the historic and cultural sites across the country that you could visit this weekend. 

A guided tour of the Pic du Midi observatory

La Mongie (Hautes-Pyrénées), September 19-20

Standing at 2,877m, the Pic du Midi has hosted an accessible, working observatory for more than a century and it is regarded as one of France’s most important high-altitude scientific sites. It is also home to France’s largest telescope.

This year, the site was submitted for consideration as a Unesco World Heritage Site.

Guided tours for the Journées du Patrimoine will offer an insight into the site’s several domes, with each one being explored as a milestone in the history of astronomical photography. Free sessions at the Planetarium will also be on offer throughout the day.

To access the free tour, visitors still need to pay for admission to the observatory, however there is a 30% discount this weekend. Tickets can be purchased on the Pic du Midi website. Visitors can register on the day for the Journées du Patrimoine activities at the summit reception desk.

Explore a boat cemetery

Saint-Malo (Ille-et-Vilaine), September 19-20

The Association for the Development of Research in Maritime Archaeology is organising a heritage walk to explore the history of the Quelmer ‘boat cemetery’ site, the resting place of around 20 shipwrecks. 

Some of the wrecks date back to the early 20th Century - the physical remains of a shipbuilding tradition that has now disappeared.

The walks will start at 11:00 each day at 85 Rue de la Passagère.

The visit is free and reservation is not compulsory. Participants should wear boots and weather-appropriate clothing. 

See inside the Banque de France 

Albi (Tarn), Agen (Lot-et-Garonne), Mont-de-Marsan (Landes) September 18 

Avignon (Vaucluse), September 19

Visitors will be able to learn more about the history and heritage of France’s central bank and the different services it offers. People may also be able to take a tour of the vaults.

By reserving a free spot, participants will also be able to meet people who are involved in the bank’s various divisions and learn about their region’s local economy and financial education - such as preventing financial scams. 

At the time of writing, tickets are still available for the visits in Albi, Agen, Mont-de-Marsan and Avignon.

Several other Banque de France locations around the country are also opening their doors. See here. 

Admire the archives of Printemps Haussmann

Paris (Île-de-France), September 19-20

Visitors will be taken on an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of Printemps Haussmann, a beautiful Belle Époque mall with Art déco features in Paris, listed as a Monument historique since 1975. 

The visit will combine architecture, fashion and history and include access to a private terrace offering a 360° panoramic view of Paris, as well as underground passages.

For a Journées du Patrimoine first, Printemps will also be offering participants access to its archives. 

The tour is free but you must book a time slot via the Printemps website. At the time of writing, tickets are still available on both days. Participants should be physically able to climb stairs. Visitors should meet at the Printemps de l’Homme reception and wear comfortable shoes. 

Learn about the history of photography

Fécamp (Seine-Maritime), September 19

This historical conference will celebrate the bicentenary of photography. The talk will trace the evolution of capturing reality, from the work of the pioneers to the Autochrome process. It will place particular emphasis on the pioneering women who revolutionised the medium.

The event will be held at the Maison du Patrimoine from 14:30-16:00.

The conference is free and reservation is not compulsory, however there are limited spaces so you may want to arrive in advance.

Visit the Lascaux cave sites

Montignac (Dordogne), September 19-20

A special single ticket is being offered over les Journées du Patrimoine, with access to the Lascaux II and Lascaux IV sites, as well as the Atelier des fac-similés du Périgord.

The experience includes two guided tours, offering an insight into the conservation challenges and reproduction techniques used at the caves. 

Deemed France’s International Centre for Cave Art, the Lascaux IV is a full-scale replica of the Lascaux cave, which is home to over 600 prehistoric wall paintings, and has been a Unesco World Heritage Site since 1979.

Lascaux II is an earlier replica of the original cave, which has been closed to the general public since the 1960s to preserve the delicate cave art. 

The Centre is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, with a range of events to celebrate one of France’s most famous historic sites. 

The special Journées du Patrimoine ticket costs €32.90 for adults, €22.90 for children, and under 5s go free.

At the time of writing, limited tickets are still available for both days. 

Note that Région Sud is offering a pass for unlimited travel on TER ZOU! services on September 16 (European Mobility Day) and September 19-20 (Journées du Patrimoine) for €5.