European heritage days 2024 in Paris
Discovery for the Young and Old
The European Heritage Days 2024 will take place on September 21 and 22. For this 41st edition, the chosen themes are “Heritage of Routes, Networks, and Connections” and “Maritime Heritage.” These themes highlight the importance of transportation, communication, and maritime networks in the history and development of our regions.
These days offer an opportunity to discover places that are usually closed to the public, including historical monuments, local industries, and private facilities. A variety of events, including guided tours, demonstrations, concerts, and themed walks, will be organized to allow visitors to discover heritage from new and interactive angles. Here is a selection:
Army Museum - Invalides
One of the world's leading museums of military history, art, and techniques. The museum and the grounds of the Invalides, where it is located, are witnesses to France's military history. Through a military lens, the collections also reflect political, diplomatic, and social history. The Cour d'Honneur, the churches, the prestigious collections of the Musée de l'Armée… There are many places to be discovered, traveling through history from the Middle Ages to the present day, and meeting the great men as well as the anonymous soldiers who left their mark on it.
Address:
129 Rue de Grenelle 75007 Paris
Transportation:
Metro 13 Varenne, Metro 8 La Tour-Maubourg, Metro 8 and 13 Invalides / RER C Invalides / Buses 28, 63, 69, 80, 82, 83, 87, 92, 93 / Nearby taxi stands and Vélib' stations
Website: www.musee-armee.fr
Paris Sewer Museum
Discover or rediscover the city beneath the city, a unique, mysterious, and educational museum boasting 150 years of history and modernity, with a fully renovated building now visible from the Seine. It's an unusual way to explore the capital's sewer system, its tunnels, and facilities—a unique underground adventure.
Address:
Esplanade Habib Bourguiba Pont de l’Alma 75007 Paris
Transportation:
Metro 9 Alma Marceau, Metro 8 and 13 Invalides / RER C Pont de l'Alma / Buses 42, 63, 80, 92, Bosquet-Rapp station / Nearby Vélib' stations
Website: www.musee-egouts.paris.fr
Museum of Fairground Arts - Pavillons de Bercy
Discover this museum at a special price during the European Heritage Days. During a 1.5-hour tour, the guide will take you from one space to another, telling you the story of this unusual place that houses the largest collection of show and fairground heritage objects from the 19th century. Along the way, your curious showman will operate mechanical musical instruments and invite you to experience the emotions of the past, taking you on a ride on some of the century-old carousels.
Address:
53 avenue des Terroirs-de-France 75012 Paris
Transportation:
Metro 14 Cour Saint Emilion / Buses 24, 109, and 111 – Terroirs de France station / Nearby parking
Website: www.arts-forains.com
Eiffel Tower - Guided Tour of the Historic Elevator Machinery
The Eiffel Tower invites you to discover the machinery of one of its historic elevators.
Since the monument was inaugurated for the 1889 Universal Exposition, visitors have been able to access the upper floors by elevator. Today, these elevators may seem like everyday equipment, but at that time, they were an industrial feat!
Carefully preserved, this exceptional heritage still bears witness to Gustave Eiffel's visionary genius.
During a visit accompanied by a receptionist and commented on by a technician from the Tower, you will discover the ingenious workings that allow nearly 9,000 visitors to enjoy the Parisian panorama daily from a height of 115 meters.
Note: To participate, you can register on the Eiffel Tower website: www.toureiffel.paris.
Spaces are limited! The tour is free and in French. You will receive all the necessary practical information later.
Address:
Av. Gustave Eiffel 75007 Paris
Transportation:
Metro 7 Bir-Hakeim / RER C Champs de Mars / Nearby car and bicycle parking
Website: www.toureiffel.paris
Sorbonne University
From halls to amphitheaters, from Richelieu's tomb in the chapel to the majestic Jacqueline de Romilly room in the library, discover the Sorbonne for free.
The European Heritage Days are an opportunity for everyone to travel through the history of the Sorbonne and admire the architectural and artistic wonders that symbolize this temple of learning and knowledge. The itinerary, which includes explanatory panels and works by students from Parisian high schools and art schools, will allow visitors to discover some of the Sorbonne's most historic and prestigious sites.
Finally, children and teenagers will be in the spotlight again this year and will be able to share a fun moment thanks to booklets created especially for them.
Address:
45-47 rue des Écoles 75005 Paris
Transportation:
Metro 10 Cluny la Sorbonne / Buses 63, 86 Cluny stop – 21, 27, 38, les Ecoles station / Nearby car and bicycle parking
Website: www.sorbonne.fr
National Maritime Museum
The Musée National de la Marine is opening its doors for free for a weekend celebrating both tangible and intangible maritime heritage. Meet the museum's restorers and collection managers, discover sailors' traditions, or take an exceptional tour of the reserves: the maritime world will no longer hold any secrets for you!
Address:
Palais de Chaillot 17 Place du Trocadéro 75016 Paris
Transportation:
Metro 6 Trocadéro / Buses 22, 32 Scheffers or Trocadéro stations - 30, 63 Trocadéro station - 72: Pont d'Iéna stop / Nearby car and bicycle parking
Website: www.musee-marine.fr
La Seine Musicale - Open Days
A wide range of activities is offered: guided tours, open rehearsals, indoor and outdoor concerts, discovery of the SeineLab and its workshops for young audiences, immersive experiences, presentations of period instruments... and also a tour that combines contemporary art and circus!
A unique day to discover the colorful program of the 2024/2025 season of La Seine Musicale of the Hauts-de-Seine Department and its residents.
The Heritage Days are also an opportunity to (re)discover the building designed by Japanese architect Shigeru Ban in association with French architect Jean de Gastines, which was inaugurated in April 2017.
Address:
Île Seguin 92100 Boulogne-Billancourt
Transportation:
Metro 9 Pont de Sèvres / Tram 2 Brimborion
Website:www.laseinemusicale.com
For more information and the full program, visit the official website of the European Heritage Days
