I have posts on this event in my blog over the years , stopping when the pandemic came in but now back on again, I have participated in several of the Heritage Days of France or Journées du Patrimoine as it allows you to go into places usually or never allowed by the general public, and even some with little time for those like me member friends of many of them. I will look forward to see some of them this year as I retired lol ! However ,to allow planning for next September 2023 ,will showcase those me think to see or least some time permitting .Hope you enjoy it and plan ahead too !
The Journées du Patrimoine started in France and by now has spread to all the EU, and many other countries outside of it, so check in your country for any opportunity. It is the big celebration of heritage, that will be held next Saturday, September 16 and Sunday, September 17, 2023. For its 40th edition, the theme of the European Heritage Days will be “living heritage”. the extraordinary richness of our heritage through new appointments, unusual visits, and exceptional openings. These local events now take place in more than 50 countries around the world with free admission in principle to public monuments, and at reduced rates for the vast majority of private establishments participating in the event. It was exactly on September 23, 1984, on an initiative of the Ministry of Culture led by Jack Lang, and under the name of “Open Day in Historic Monuments”. It was renamed “National Days of heritage” in 1992, the day after its establishment by the Council of Europe (1991). It was finally in 2000, with the Minister of Culture Catherine Tasca, that they finally changed their name to bear the name that we know about them today: the European Heritage Days.
As promise this is the final information on the event. I will give my favorites out of so many, enjoy it if you can.
In Paris (75): The Comédie-Française , Banque de France, which is based at the Hôtel de Toulouse in the 1st arrondissement of Paris. The opportunity to visit its golden gallery and its ceremonial rooms, but also to discover the history and activities of this French institution, The art workshops of the Louvre Museum , The Hôtel de la Marine ,opportunity to discover this emblematic monument located on the Place de la Concorde The Palais-Royal thanks to various themed visits adapted to all lovers of History and Heritage ,The magnificent Sainte-Chapelle, this architectural jewel of Paris built in the 13C, come and learn more about this hidden building, built to preserve Christ’s Crown of Thorns. The Bourse de Commerce to discover the Pinault collection and the fabulous architecture ,The Conciergerie free tours of this former Parisian prison steeped in history, The Jardin des Tuileries immerses you in its history with commented walks await you ,The Church of Saint-Nicolas du Chardonnet. On a free or guided tour, you can admire the treasures of this place of worship, which remains today one of the emblems of traditionalist Catholicism active in Paris.
In my sentimental Seine et Marne (77) ,The Ganot cheese dairy . Discover the history and secrets of making Brie, and don’t miss this unmissable visit around the refining process. The Museum of the Great War opens its doors to us for free , The Château de Fontainebleau revealing the program of this magnificent castle.
In my memorable former home of the Yvelines (78) : Admire a real architectural jewel in the town of Le Vésinet, the Wood Cottage, a strange house that looks like something out of a fantastic film, and enjoy an acoustic concert, on September 17 , The Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye with guided tours of the Château and the National Archeology Museum, and many other surprises, for a unique dive into the heart of History ,The Château de la Madeleine, offers us several guided tours and medieval reconstructions. At t the Potager du Roi of the Palace of Versailles take advantage of two free days in an enchanting setting, with free visits with many activities for young and old , On the Island of the Impressionists in Chatou to discover the collections of the Fournaise Museum, The Chpateau de Dampierre-en-Yvelines ,the estate honors the companions and their exceptional restoration work, which allows us to visit this estate which has welcomed so many kings and queens as in the 17C, The Toile de Jouy Museum is organizing a large tournaments punctuated by 18C sports. The most curious, meanwhile, can join a historic walk in the footsteps of the former Manufacture Oberkampf , The town of Vésinet to discover the sumptuous Villa Beau-Chêne or Villa de Joséphine Baker. The rare opportunity to dive into the intimacy of the icon of the music hall, closer to his memories, The Palace of Versailles invites you to discover the place through a circuit that takes you back in time! for majestic visits! In Poissy free entertainment organized by the Toy Museum Do you know the Rambolitrain? This unusual miniature train museum with family or friends, come and discover this fun place and its fascinating collections for free. Visit and introduction to Fencing at the Château de Maisons Laffitte come and discover the magnificent Château de Maisons-Laffitte, built for King Louis XIV, Immerse yourself in the world of Dumas at the Château de Monte Cristo , the residence of Alexandre Dumas, for this occasion, the entrance to the castle is at a reduced price.
And on my current dear home of the Morbihan breton (56) : Auray : Former royal prison, Saint-Cado Chapel, Saint-Gildas Church, Saint-Sauveur Church, Mausoleum of Cadoudal, Port of Saint-Goustan: discovery of traditional ships, Baden: Museum of passions and wings, Brech: Ecomuseum of Saint- Dégan, Sarzeau: The castle of Suscinio, Vannes: La Cohue Museum of Fine Arts. Carnac: Museum of Prehistory, Josselin: the chapel of the Congregation or the Château de Josselin. Lorient: The event takes place around three sites: the Hotel Gabriel, the city center and the WWII Submarine Base.
I do not want to erase all but this is an older version of the journée du patrimoine or heritage days in France from 2019 that I like to add here for the memories of always.
The Journées du Patrimoine that were held this past Saturday, September 21 and Sunday, September 22,2019 the Jardin du Luxembourg) is the building that attracted the most visitors this year. Overall, in these two days, 12 million visits were recorded on 17,000 different places! The “Golden Palm” of attendance goes to the Senate(Palais du Luxembourg), with 22,499 visitors. The Palais de l’Elysée palace (home of the President of France), for its part, welcomed 20,000 visitors ,The house workshop of Rosa Bonheur, 12 Rue Rosa Bonheur, 77810 Thomery in Seine et Marne (dept. 77) The abbey of Mont Saint Michel (12,600 visitors), the Sainte Chapelle and the Conciergerie (23,000) Château de Vincennes (10,100), the Banque de France (15,500), the Château de Ducs de Bretagne in Nantes (6,500), the university library of Strasbourg (8,500) or the Grand Theater of Bordeaux (6,500) . The Ministry of Culture, building at rue de Valois ,Paris, seduced 4,000 persons by exposing several fragments of Notre Dame Cathedral, including the rooster, formerly located at the top of the missing arrow. Walk in the corridors of the Sorbonne. Founded in 1257, the Sorbonne now houses a part of the activities of several universities, including Paris 1, Paris 3 and Paris 4. Since 1809, the former Royal Abbey of Saint-Denis, which adjoins the famous Basilica, houses the House of Education of the Legion of Honor. Common point of the students: they are girls, granddaughters or great granddaughters of members of the Legion of Honor, the military medal or the National Order of Merit. Located at 1 rue de la République, 93000, Saint-Denis. Metro: Basilica de Saint-Denis the Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris (Ciup). The campus, similar to those of American universities, welcomes 12,000 students of 140 nationalities. Forty of them have their own pavilion. Built between 1925 and 1969, they reflect the different architectural trends of the 20C. Located at 17 boulevard Jourdan, 14éme. RER: Cité Universitaire The école militaire built under the rule of king Louis XV and located at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, brings together all organizations of higher military education in France. The Grand Rex; a cinema. It is one of the largest halls in Europe, with 2,700 seats. Its Art Deco façade from 1932 that can be seen from afar on the Grands Boulevards. And of course the Château de Versailles : visit the most beautiful spaces of the north wing of Versailles in music ,the Palais de marbre, salles des Croisades, salles Louis XIV, Chapelle Royale . The Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte in Mauncy, Seine-et-Marne dept 77 ; opens the doors of its 7 artistic domains with the program, a treasure hunt and unpublished visits on the garden of Le Nôtre, guided tours behind the scenes of filming Marie-Antoinette to James Bond through the man in the mask of iron, concerts-readings with representations mixing the texts of Jean de La Fontaine with the baroque music and an immersive soundtrack plunging the visitor in the History of France with an adult course “The affair Fouquet” and a youth course “The fabulous history of Vaux”! The Musée de la Grande Guerre at Meaux, Seine et Marne dept 77 .Offers tours of the museum’s reserves , flash tours of the permanent collections and the temporary exhibition “Behind the Scenes of Peace”!!!
The Official Ministry of Culture of France for the programming of events in France:https://journeesdupatrimoine.culture.gouv.fr/
Ahh another nice event that I will include on this post and wonderful many times there while living in Versailles. Hope you can enjoy it, recommended.
The 19th edition of the European Night of Museums will take place on Saturday, May 13, 2023. That evening, many museums will open their doors for free in France and Europe, from dusk until midnight. Illuminated tours, fun tours, screenings, exceptional events will give the public a museum experience that is both friendly and fun. Some of my favorite museums will be open such as La Cinémathèque française – Musée du Cinéma, 51, rue de Bercy, 12éme, Bourse de Commerce – Pinault Collection 2, rue de Viarmes, 1éme, Musée du quai Branly Jacques Chirac, 37 quai Branly, 7éme, Petit Palais – Musée des beaux-arts de la Ville de Paris, 2 avenue Winston-Churchill, 8éme, Maison de Victor Hugo, 6 place des Vosges,4éme, Musée Cognacq-Jay 8 rue Elzévir, 3éme, Musée du Luxembourg ,19 rue de Vaugirard , 6éme, Musée des Arts Décoratifs, 107 rue de Rivoli, 1éme, Musée de l’Armée, 129, rue de Grenelle, 7éme, Musée d’Orsay, Esplanade Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, 7éme, Musée des Arts et Métiers, 60, rue Réaumur,3éme, Orangerie du musée Carnavalet – Histoire de Paris, 14 rue Payenne, 3éme ,and Musée de la Vie romantique, Hôtel Scheffer-Renan, 16 rue Chaptal, 9éme
Here are more selected sites in my new area of Bretagne/Brittany: Musée de la Compagnie des Indes, musée d’art et d’histoire de la Ville de Lorient ; Citadelle de Port Louis avenue du Fort de l’Aigle,Port-Louis, Musée national de la marine, Citadelle de Port-Louis, Port-Louis, Musée de Pont-Aven, 1 place Julia,Pont-Aven, Musée des Marais Salants, Place Adèle Pichon, Batz-sur-Mer, Musée des Beaux-Arts, 20 quai Emile Zola, Rennes, Muséum d’histoire naturelle de Nantes, 12 rue Voltaire,Nantes, and Musée d’arts de Nantes, 10 rue Clémenceau, Nantes,
The official Nuit des musées of the French Cultural Ministry : https://nuitdesmusees.culture.gouv.fr/programme#
There you go folks, I will go back to post the events as they become public as the day for submission for available properties is April 7th 2023 . As promise, my list of favorites of the Heritage Days or Journée du Patrimoine 2023 above, a great opportunity to see wonderful architecture, history and arts of my belle France. Again, hope you enjoy the post on the Journées du Patrimoine or Heritage Days in France 2023 !!! as I
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 