The Journées du Patrimoine or Heritage Days in France 2025 !!!

Posted in Bretagne, France, Paris, Versailles

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 2025 ,will showcase those me think to see or least some time permitting Therefore, here is my take on the Journées du Patrimoine or Heritage Days in France 2025 !!! Hope you enjoy the post, and plan ahead too as I,

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 20 and Sunday, September 21, 2025.  For its 42nd edition, In Paris and the Île-de-France region, participate in various activities around the theme of “Architectural Heritage.” For this occasion, we invite you to discover nine iconic Parisian monuments that are exceptionally open. From the Senate to City Hall, including the Eiffel Tower elevator engine room, it’s a unique immersion into the capital’s heritage.

Tour of the affluent Les Halles neighborhood or quartier Saturday, September 20, 2025 – 14h⤏ 16h, 16h30⤏ 18h30 Discovering the quartier Les Halles ; the tour will, among other things: Explore its history and evolution ,The history of the Cemetery of the Innocents and the famous snow pea , The last moments of Henry IV, the pillory, The Well of Love – Admire the facade of St. Eustache Church ,and finish with the incredible astronomical tower of Catherine de Medici and the Wheat Exchange transformed into a museum (exterior)

We find La Galerie Dior, which immerses us in the world of the house, its founder, and his successors. A wonderful exhibition awaits you in the heart of an immersive scenography. A delight for fashion enthusiasts and the curious alike! Visit to the Dior Gallery Saturday, September 20, 2025 at 11h ⤏ 17h30, Sunday, September 21, 2025 – 11h ⤏ 17h30, The Dior Gallery will be open from 9h to 19h with a single admission fee of €5. Online reservation of a slot is recommended.

The Sacré-Cœur Basilica is undoubtedly one of Paris’s most iconic monuments and contributes to the charm of the picturesque Montmartre district. Tour of the Sacré-Cœur organ construction site Saturday, September 20, 2025 – 9h ⤏ 9h45 AM, 10h ⤏ 10h45, 13h ⤏ 13h45 14h ⤏ 14h45 One hundred and fifty years after its construction began, the Sacré-Cœur Basilica in Montmartre is enjoying a new lease of life with major restorations: its spectacular organ, its legendary 18-ton bell (the largest in France!), and its high altar.

And this year, Notre-Dame de Paris is making a highly anticipated return. After several editions confined to the forecourt due to restoration work, the cathedral is finally revealing itself to enthusiasts during the 2025 European Heritage Days. Exceptional opening of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris Saturday, September 20, 2025 – 8h15⤏ 21h, Sunday, September 21, 2025 – 8h15 ⤏ 19h30, This year, Notre-Dame de Paris is opening its doors in a special way for the 42nd edition of European Heritage Days. Rediscover this place of prayer, a symbol of French historical heritage, open freely and free of charge. Come experience a meeting here through beauty, meditation, and peace. Visit of the Chapel of Eastern Christians Saturday, September 20, 2025 – 8h15 ⤏ 19h30 , Sunday, September 21, 2025 – 8h15⤏ 19h30 On the occasion of the reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, the project for a chapel dedicated to Eastern Christians was launched. Located at the heart of the Paris cathedral, the purpose of this chapel is to remind pilgrims from around the world that their spiritual roots lie in the East. Conceived as a testament to the richness and diversity of the Eastern Churches, it was decided that the chapel would house icons specially created for the occasion by French and Eastern iconographers.

The Saint-Jacques Tower reveals its treasures. This medieval tower of Gothic inspiration, nestled a few steps from the City/Town Hall, offers a special program during the 42nd edition of this exceptional cultural event. Guided tours of the Saint-Jacques Tower. Saturday, September 20, 2025 at several time slots and the same on Sunday, September 21, 2025, An architectural jewel of Parisian heritage, the Saint-Jacques Tower dominates the capital from a height of 54 meters. A privileged witness to the history of the Châtelet district, this tower is the last vestige of the old Saint-Jacques-La-Boucherie church. During a guided tour, discover its various uses, the illustrious figures who have punctuated its history over the centuries, and the restoration campaigns that have enabled its preservation. Take part in the perilous climb of the monument’s 300 steps, and you will be rewarded with a breathtaking view of the rooftops of Paris!

The permanent collection of the Musée des Arts et Métiers is so popular with children because it offers a journey through time to discover the greatest inventions and techniques in scientific history: Scientific Instruments, Materials, Construction, Communication, Energy, Mechanics and Transport, you will discover thousands of objects that revolutionized their time, in a very beautiful establishment. In total, the tour is divided into seven collections (scientific instruments, materials, construction, communication, energy, as well as mechanics and transport), subdivided into four chronological periods (before 1750, 1750-1850, 1850-1950 and after 1950). In addition, curious visitors can discover Lavoisier’s laboratory, Foucault’s pendulum or the theater of automatons. You see the Giant Brick Workshop, invites toddlers to test their creativity by manipulating giant bricks: constructions or courses, anything is possible! Kapla Challenge Workshop! Kapla, a large-scale construction workshop! Come take on the challenge and build buildings and houses straight out of your imagination. This workshop is offered in collaboration with the Kapla Center in Paris. Flash Tours at the Musée des Arts et Métiers! These flash tours are an opportunity for the public to (re)discover the emblematic objects in our collections as well as the architectural setting in which they are exhibited. Family construction discovery workshop During the tour, children will discover the different trades involved on a construction site in the Middle Ages. They will then build a structure (arch, house, etc.) using PlayMaïs during the workshop. Family Workshop: In the Age of Cathedrals Children accompanied by their parents will discover the secrets of cathedral builders and the expertise of medieval artisans during this tour. In the workshop, children will create a stained-glass window using colored paper.

In Paris, there is a particularly iconic monument that is preparing to reveal its secrets to you: the Eiffel Tower! Standing over 300 meters tall, it has dominated the capital since 1889. Built for the World’s Fair, it has become a symbol of France throughout the world. So, when this iconic monument joins the Heritage Days, it’s hard to miss this opportunity! Eiffel Tower: Guided Tour of the Historic Elevator Machinery, Saturday, September 20, 2025 – 9h30⤏ 18h, Sunday, September 21, 2025 – 9h30 ⤏ 18h, The Eiffel Tower is offering a special behind-the-scenes tour of the machinery of one of its historic elevators!

The École Nationale des Beaux-Arts de Paris, this iconic institution dedicated to the study of art. Normally, only students have access to this place. But during Heritage Days, the Beaux-Arts opens its doors to you, and you can visit this superb building, listed as a historic monument. You’re not going to miss it! From the hemicycle of honor painted by Paul Delaroche, to the Augustins Chapel, via the Palais des Études and its glass courtyard, and even the library, it’s a distillation of the architectural and artistic history of the last 200 years that can be found on these two hectares in the heart of Paris. Self-guided tour of the Beaux-Arts de Paris, Saturday, September 20, 2025 – 10h30⤏ 17h30, Sunday, September 21, 2025 – 10h30⤏ 17h30, The Beaux-Arts de Paris are opening the doors to their buildings, listed as historic monuments, which are normally closed to the public.

The Palace of Versailles invites you to discover the place through a tour that takes you back in time in the footsteps of the Republic. Between the famous Hall of Mirrors and the sublime French gardens designed by André Le Nôtre, this royal residence is full of sublime spaces testifying to the richness of French history. Saturday, September 20, 2025 – 9h ⤏ 18h30 , Sunday, September 21, 2025 – 9h ⤏ 18h30. The Palace of Versailles celebrates the 150th anniversary of the Third Republic. Come and discover the Congress Hall, built in 1875 for the deputies and the Senate, the Seal Hall and the apartments of the President of the Congress! To echo the temporary post office installed during Congress meetings in the Gallery of Battles, you will be invited to write a postcard to isolated elderly people in partnership with the association 1 Lettre, 1 Sourire. Throughout your visit, students from the École du Louvre will introduce you to the history of the Third Republic through guided tours.

The Paris tourist office on the journée du Patrimoine 2025 : https://parisjetaime.com/eng/article/european-heritage-days-a1029

The Ministry of Culture of France on the journée du patrimoine 2025; https://journeesdupatrimoine.culture.gouv.fr/programme#

The leisure site of the City of Paris on the journée du patrimoine 2025 : https://www.sortiraparis.com/actualites/journees-du-patrimoine/guides/54048-journees-du-patrimoine-paris-ile-de-france-date-theme-programme

The City of Paris on the journée du patrimoine 2025 : https://www.paris.fr/evenements/les-journees-du-patrimoine-24810

There you go folks, a wonderful time to visit my belle France and indulge in its beautiful architecture and enormous history. This is not an all inclusive list too many to mention but all the links above. Again, hope you enjoy this post on the Journées du Patrimoine or Heritage Days in France 2025 !!! as I.

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!

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Published by pedmar10

I am a lover of travels to Europe , Americas , Africa and Asia as well ,who like to share my experiences of the last 53 years with the world, visiting so far 81 countries; living in 6, working in 5, and Citizen of 4, speaking fluently 4 languages. I can deal with sports especially football/soccer and love music, arts, wine collector/drinker, and go out to restaurants, and just visit the world. My background comes all the way from Candelaria and Pajara in Tenerife, Spain where my grandparents came from ;not knowing each other then, to Punta Brava, west of Havana, Cuba. There , my parents born in Cuba met and later on I was born there too. 100% guanche (annexed Tenerife to Spain on April 10 ,1496). I left Cuba as many have to Madrid, Spain where I lived for 4 years. Then, move to Perth Amboy ,New Jersey USA (living there 13 yrs) ; where I completed high school, became a US Citizen, learned to drive a car, and learned English. Afterward, went to the university in Florida, ERAU, and upon graduation decided to moved there to Ormond by the Sea, near Daytona Beach, finally moving North Miami, then Hialeah, then another moved to Silver Lakes division in Miramar, Broward county, Florida; in Florida I lived a total of 18 years. Finally , moved to France in 2003 ,Versailles call me for its royalty, and working in Paris was great. It was time to seek frontiers again and moved to Brech near Auray, Morbihan in Brittany , and later move to not too far Pluvigner. Total so far in France has been 20 years, and counting. Moving average a home every 5.5 years hopefully this will be my last. Cheers All rights reserved. No part of this blog may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means or stored in a retrieval system of any nature, without the written permission of the copyright holder, me. No part of this work may be modified, without the written permission of the holder, me.No part of this work may be exposed to public view in any form or by any means, without identifying the holder as the author, and with the before mentioned permission.

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