Journées du Patrimoine 2024 at the Musée de l'Armée - Invalides: exceptional visit on the program

Published by Julie de Sortiraparis, Laurent de Sortiraparis, Cécile de Sortiraparis · Photos by Cécile de Sortiraparis · Published on September 17, 2024 at 03:18 p.m.
The Journées du Patrimoine will be held at the Hôtel des Invalides on September 21 and 22, 2024! Not only will the Army Museum be free of charge during these two days, but new tours and numerous workshops are also on offer for history buffs.

To mark the 41st Journées du Patrimoine, theHôtel des Invalides, home to the Musée de l'Armée, is organizing tours, family events and other workshops on September 21 and 22, 2024. A unique experience for the whole family, to learn all about the history of this Parisian cultural and military institution!

Located in the 7th arrondissement of Paris, the Hôtel des Invalides is an emblematic monument of the capital, whose construction was ordered by Louis XIV. The Sun King wanted to offer French soldiers wounded in battle a place to rest and live. The monument also houses a military necropolis, a cathedral and a museum dedicated to the Army and war.

This unique site boasts a number of cultural and architectural treasures that are a must-see. You can admire the tomb of Napoleon I, a panoramic view of Paris from the lantern, exceptional frescoes painted on the monument's dome...

Today, the Invalides and the Musée des Armées regularlyoffer exhibitions, workshops, concerts, themed tours, games, shows and many other events to showcase the monument and its rich history. Why not discover all this during the Journées du Patrimoine?

The Musée de l'Armée's 2024 Heritage Days program:

  • The Society of Friends of the Musée de l'Armée (SAMA)
    September 21 and 22

    The Society of Friends of the Musée de l'Armée (SAMA)
    In the Cour d'Honneur, volunteers from the Society of Friends of the Musée de l'Armée present the aims of the Society, its history, its activities and its support for the Museum.
    In the Museum's 1914-1945 collections, a SAMA member presents visitors with his father's 1931 officer's uniform.
    Cour d'Honneur and Salle Foch - free admission - Saturday and Sunday, 10am-6pm



  • Department of Memory, Culture and Archives (DMCA)
    September 21 and 22

    The Department of Remembrance, Culture and Archives (DMCA)
    The DMCA of the Ministry of the Armed Forces is involved in defining and implementing State policy in the field of remembrance of contemporary conflicts (wars from 1870 to the present day). The DMCA oversees the conservation, maintenance and restoration of the Ministry of the Armed Forces' memorial sites in mainland France and around the world (national necropolises, national memorial sites, military squares in communal cemeteries, burial sites abroad). Thanks to a virtual reality headset, visitors can discover these places of remembrance. The DMCA is also setting up a remembrance education program. In particular, this is based on supporting and promoting the defense education mission, actively involving schoolchildren in commemorations, encouraging them to discover places of remembrance, and providing teachers with appropriate resources.
    Salle Turenne, level 0 - free admission - Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 6pm.



  • Le center de doctrine et d'enseignement du commandement (CDEC) 7th Paris military history book fair
    September 21 and 22

    The command doctrine and teaching center (CDEC)
    7th Parisian military history book fair
    On the occasion of the 41ᵉ edition of the European Heritage Days, the French Army invites you to meet civilian and military authors who think, write and illustrate the battles of yesterday, today and tomorrow. In an uncertain and complex world, thought is the essential and necessary condition for a proper understanding of reality and the transformations of war.
    This 7th edition aims to meet the expectations of an ever-increasing number of visitors of all ages, by offering a wide choice of works: biographies, stories, comic strips, essays, novels...
    Authors will be happy to talk with the public and sign their works.
    Cour d'honneur - free admission - Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 6pm.



  • Open house and temporary presentation - Military and sports: It's a match made in heaven!
    September 21 and 22

    TEMPORARY PRESENTATION
    Military and sports. It's a match made in heaven!
    The hardening of combatants has always been a preoccupation of commanders, but was institutionalized as early as 1852 with the creation of the Joinville national military gymnastics school, the origin of the famous "Joinville Battalion" and today's Centre national des sports de la Défense (CNSD). The inclusion of sporting activities within the armed forces serves three purposes: physical training for soldiers, reconstruction through the reintegration of wounded servicemen and women, and the promotion of the nation through high-level sport.
    Through its collections and loans from various champions, the Musée de l'Armée de Paris deciphers the close links between the military institution and the world of sport.
    The "Militaires et sportifs. Ça match! is organized with the support of Lepape and Unéo.
    Free admission during the European Heritage Days
    Aile Orient, level 0



  • Self-guided tours - Les Invalides: between history and memory
    September 21 and 22

    FREE VISIT
    Les Invalides: between history and memories
    Opened in July 2024 after a major renovation project, this new tour explores the 350-year history of the Hôtel national des Invalides. Over 400m2 of innovative scenography, an immersive space and exceptional works of art allow you to immerse yourself in the life of this extraordinary monument, and to meet the great figures of Les Invalides, including Louis XIV, its founder.
    This tour is the first stage of the MINERVE project to extend and transform the Musée de l'Armée, which will continue until 2030, with the opening of new permanent spaces and the modernization of visitor reception conditions.
    Aile Orient, level 0



  • French Federation of Vintage Vehicles (FFVE)
    September 21 and 22

    Fédération française des véhicules d'époque (FFVE)
    Founded in 1967, the FFVE is a French association recognized as being in the public interest. Today, it federates over 1,000 member clubs, 500 professionals, 45 museums and represents over 400,000 collectors, owners of over one million vintage vehicles.
    Its missions are to federate, encourage, develop and coordinate initiatives in France for the restoration, maintenance and use of vintage vehicles of all kinds. Six models, on display in the Cour d'Honneur at Les Invalides, bear witness to a pre-war rolling industrial heritage, and showcase the many rare/art trades involved in restoring vintage vehicles.
    Cour d'Honneur - free admission - Saturday and Sunday, 10am-6pm.



  • Visit from the French General Directorate for External Security (DGSE)
    September 21 and 22

    Direction générale de la sécurité extérieure (DGSE)
    The DGSE is proud to be taking part in this year's European Heritage Days at the Musée de l'Armée. These two days give us the opportunity to showcase some of our heritage collections, and to interact with the ever-popular and inquisitive public.
    This year's theme, "heritage of routes, networks and connections", will feature several presentations on our stand. Always eagerly awaited by visitors to the Musée de l'Armée, historic Enigma machines will be on display, and their operation explained via a contemporary replica.
    Salle Turenne, level 0 - free admission - Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 6pm



  • Self-guided tour and temporary presentation Sport and culture at the 1968 Games: the work of Jean Dewasne
    September 21 and 22

    TEMPORARY PRESENTATION
    Sport and culture at the 1968 Games: the work of Jean Dewasne
    Following France's failure at the 1960 Games in Rome, General de Gaulle launched a major reform to revitalize French sport. The 1968 Grenoble Games were also the focus of an ambitious cultural policy, symbolized by the commissioning of artist Jean Dewasne to create a set for the Ice Stadium.
    Free admission during the European Heritage Days
    Aile Orient - Historial Charles de Gaulle, level -1



  • Behind the scenes at Les Invalides - Caring for the collections
    September 21 and 22

    IN THE CORRIDORS OF THE INVALID
    Caring for our collections
    Take a guided tour of three different sites and meet the teams responsible for the restoration of metal objects, textiles and preventive conservation. They'll tell you all about their skills and know-how. In the workshops, discover the gestures, techniques and tools used to accomplish their mission.
    Saturday and Sunday - rendez-vous in the main courtyard
    From age 10
    Textile workshop at 11 am, 1:30 pm, 3:30 pm and 5 pm (duration: 45 min)
    Metal workshop at 11 am, 2:30 pm and 4 pm (duration: 1 hour)
    Preventive conservation and pedestal workshop at 11 am, 1:30 pm, 3:30 pm and 5 pm (duration: 45 min)
    Free activity on reservation by form on the Museum website (from 26/08/2024 to 08/09/2024) or on site the same day, subject to availability (groups of 15).



  • Family - Creative activity: Learn to work with leather!
    September 21 and 22

    WITH THE FAMILY
    Creative activity Learn to work with leather!
    As a family, young visitors can learn about leather restoration techniques and practice a few stitches on a piece to take away later.
    Saturday and Sunday at 11am, 1pm, 2:30pm, 4pm - salle Niox
    For 7-12 year olds
    Groups of 5 children and 5 adults - meet in the courtyard
    Free activity on reservation required on the Museum website (from 26/08/2024 to 08/09/2024) subject to availability .



  • Guided tours - Let yourself be surprised by the Invalides and the Musée de l'Armée
    September 21 and 22

    GUIDED TOURS
    Let the Invalides and the Musée de l'Armée surprise you
    Through the collections of the Musée de l'Armée, visitors discover the history of the Hôtel national des Invalides. Surprises and discussions are the order of the day on these guided tours!
    Saturday and Sunday at 11:30, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00 and 17:00 (duration: 1 hour) - rendez-vous in the cour d'honneur
    Free activity on reservation by form on the Museum website (from 26/08/2024 to 08/09/2024) or on site the same day, subject to availability (groups of 20 people).



  • Family - Creative activity: Pop-up des Invalides
    September 21 and 22

    WITH THE FAMILY
    Creative activity Pop-up des Invalides
    The Hôtel national des Invalides is full of corridors, windows and sculptures... bring them to life with your own pop-up card.
    After a tour of the Invalides, fold, cut and invent your own Dome to better reveal its brilliance!
    Saturday and Sunday from 2pm to 6pm - salle Turenne
    From 3 years
    Continuous activity, free on site on the day, subject to availability.



  • Backstage at the Hôtel national des Invalides, in space and time
    September 21 and 22

    Behind the scenes of the immersive film:
    l'Hôtel national des Invalides, in space and time
    In the new spaces dedicated to the history of the Invalides site, an immersive film is presented, inviting visitors to experience the history of the monument through two spectacular sequences, for a journey through space and time.
    On the occasion of the European Heritage Days, graphic designer Ekin Koca and director Corentin Cholley will be giving the public a behind-the-scenes look at the making of this film.
    Salle Turenne, level 0 - free admission - Saturday and Sunday, 2pm to 6pm (2 presentations per hour)



  • Concert by the Orchestre d'harmonie de la musique de l'Air et de l'Espace
    Saturday, September 21, 2:30 pm, 4:30 pm

    CONCERT
    Orchestre d'harmonie de la musique de l'Air et de l'Espace
    Conductor: Claude Kesmaecker
    Saturday: public rehearsal at 2:30 pm and concert at 4:30 pm
    All audiences | duration: 45 minutes
    Cathédrale Saint-Louis des Invalides | Free admission (subject to availability)



  • Concert - Organ recital: Elke Eckerstorfer pays tribute to Anton Bruckner
    Sunday, September 22, 4:30 p.m.

    CONCERT
    Organ recital: Elke Eckerstorfer pays tribute to Anton Bruckner
    With the support of the Austrian Cultural Forum
    All audiences | duration: 1h
    Sunday: concert at 4:30pm
    Cathédrale Saint-Louis des Invalides | Free admission (subject to availability)



Practical information

Dates and Opening Time
From September 21, 2024 to September 22, 2024

× Approximate opening times: to confirm opening times, please contact the establishment.

    Location

    129 rue de Grenelle
    75007 Paris 7

    Route planner

    Prices
    Free

    Official website
    www.musee-armee.fr

    Booking
    01 44 42 38 77
    reservations@musee-armee.fr

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