First organized by the French Ministry of Culture and Communication, more than 30 years ago, the European Heritage Days invite you to discover or rediscover Parisian monuments for free. Numerous special events take place over one weekend at participating venues and many historical sites or cultural center open their doors exceptionally to the public for those days.  This year the 36th edition will run Saturday September 22nd and Sunday 23rd and the theme is "Arts & Entertainment Note that some of those visits are by appointment only. 

Here are a couple of examples of visits:

Guided tour of the Cour de Cassation

Step inside the Palais de Justice in Paris to discover the behind-the-scenes of the supreme court. European Heritage Days provide the opportunity to visit this building dating back to 1790 and unravel the mysteries of the court of appeal.

Assemblée Nationale

The French National Assembly is located in the former Bourbon Palace, built in 1722 for the Duchesse de Bourbon (a legitimized daughter of Louis XIV and his mistress Madame de Montespan). Following the French Revolution, the deputies of the National Assembly have met here since 1798. The monument is open from 9:30am to 5:30 pm and there will also be a exhibition dedicated to the French Revolution.

Guided tour of the Palais du tribunal de commerce de Paris

An architectural jewel of the 19th century, the Palais du Tribunal de Commerce de Paris is a work of art of the Empire in its own right: courtrooms, corridors of the Presidency ... 

Guided tour, exhibition and citizen workshops at the Hôtel de Ville de Paris (Paris City Hall)

Rebuilt following the fire of 1871, the Hôtel de Ville as it is known today was inaugurated in 1882 in a neo-Renaissance style. On the occasion of the European Heritage Days, go on a guided tour of its sublime reception rooms, the Paris Council Hall, the library and the Mayor's office as well as the exhibition ‘La mode qui s’engage’ Many citizen workshops are also organized to discover the expertise of the site’s craftsmen(florists, locksmiths, couturiers, painters, etc.).

Revoir Notre-Dame at the Palais Royal

The exhibition will feature the original elements from the spire and roof that survived the fire: the rooster, two bronze statues representing the Evangelists, and the bust of architect Eugène Emmanuel Viollet-le-Duc, which were removed just two days before the fire for restoration. These will be accompanied by archival documents, surveys, and photographs.

The Elysée Palace

The Hôtel d’Evreux, otherwise known as the Elysée Palace was the former residence of Louis XV’s famous mistress Madame de Pompadour during the 18th century. Since the Second Republic, it has been the palace where the French Presidents have lived, beginning with Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte (Napoleon III). 

The French Senate

The French Senate has its headquarters in the former Palais du Luxembourg, the 17th century palace built by Queen Marie de Medicis when she became Regent for her son Louis XIII. The palace was built in the Florentine style, recalling the Palazzo Pizzi from the Queen’s native city. You can visit the hemicycle, the library (with paintings by Eugene Delacroix), the Conference Room (the former throne room), the Chapelle de la Reine (The Queen’s Chapel). The monument is open from 9:30am to 5:30pm, and visitors should queue at the Odeon entrance to the Luxembourg Gardens.

Sainte Genevieve Library

Located opposite the Panthéon and a stones throw away from the church Saint-Étienne-du-Mont is the historic public library Sainte-Geneviève. The public, university library holds around 2 million documents and the magnificent cast iron ceiling of the two storey reading room, is nothing short of breath-taking. It was designed in 1843 and took seven years to be built.

Other options close to the hotel

College de france, The appartments of Auguste Comte, The Pharmacy faculty, The Odeon Theater, The Sorbonne, Sainte Barbe Library, The Scottish College (1665), Pavillion Boncourt, Irish Cultural Center, The musée Curie

 

For the full program please click here