Heritage Days 2024: visit the Cervantes Institute and the Octavio Paz Library

As the summer draws to a close, an unmissable event takes over the capital. The Journées du Patrimoine are back in Paris and the Île-de-France region! Every year, over the course of a weekend, this cultural event, which takes place all over Europe, invites us to discover our heritage in a different way, through guided tours- generally free of charge- and unusual activities in museums, monuments, châteaux and other unusual places. For the occasion, the City of Light and its surrounding region unveil their treasures, and this event is not to be missed!

And since Paris is a city of museums, you won't know where to turn with the wonderful program awaiting you. If you'd like to discover the secrets of a sublime private mansion, how about a stroll through the 16th arrondissement? Head for Avenue Marceau and push open the doors of the world's leading institution for teaching Spanish: theInstituto Cervantes.

In Paris, this institute is located in the heart of a private mansion built in 1885 by Paul Déchard. The building houses the Octavio Paz Library, as well as a number of listed buildings, including the façade, the reading room, the monumental staircase and a former ballroom.

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Heritage Days 2024 in Paris (75): schedule of visits by arrondissement
For the Journées du Patrimoine 2024 in Paris, the capital's monuments and historic landmarks are opening their doors (often free of charge) to let us in on their secrets. Don't miss this not-to-be-missed event, scheduled for September 21 and 22, 2024! [Read more]

Journées du Patrimoine 2024 in Paris libraries and archives
During the Journées du Patrimoine 2024 in Paris, libraries and archives will be revealing their secrets over the weekend of September 21 and 22, 2024. Come and discover these architectural gems and their treasures! [Read more]

The 2024 Heritage Days program at the Cervantes Institute

• Free visit to the Octavio Paz Library
  Saturday, September 21, 10:00 a.m.
  

  Built in 1883 by Paul Déchard (Paris 1842-Rouen 1905) as a residence for a wealthy family, it is an emblematic building, with several elements listed in the city of Paris' catalog of historic monuments.
  In addition, its history is linked to important events of the 20th century: it was the seat of the Basque government in exile (1937-1940 and 1945-1951), of Franco's police force (1940-1944) and of the Spanish Federal Council of the European Movement (1949).
  The mansion became the Spanish Library in 1952.
  In 1991, Spain created the Instituto Cervantes to disseminate the Spanish language and the culture of Spanish-speaking countries. The Paris center, the oldest in the network, includes the inmueble at 7, rue Quentin Bauchart, formerly the Casa de España, and the Spanish library on avenue Marceau.
  In 2005, the library was named after the Mexican writer Octavio Paz (1914-1998), winner of the 1990 Nobel Prize and the 1981 Cervantes Prize.
  The building was closed for 7 years for refurbishment and upgrading, and reopened to the public in October 2022.

  
  
  
• Guided tour of the Octavio Paz Library
  Saturday September 21st, 10:30am, 12:00pm, 2:00pm, 3:30pm
  

  Built in 1883 by Paul Déchard (Paris 1842-Rouen 1905) as a residence for a wealthy family, it is an emblematic building, with several elements listed in the city of Paris' catalog of historic monuments.
  Its history is also linked to important events of the 20th century: it was the seat of the Basque government in exile (1937-1940 and 1945-1951), of Franco's police force (1940-1944) and of the Spanish Federal Council of the European Movement (1949).
  The mansion became the Spanish Library in 1952.
  
  In 1991, Spain created the Instituto Cervantes to promote the Spanish language and the culture of Spanish-speaking countries. The Paris center, the oldest in the network, includes the inmueble at 7, rue Quentin Bauchart, formerly the Casa de España, and the Spanish library on avenue Marceau.
  In 2005, the library was named after Mexican writer Octavio Paz (1914-1998), winner of the 1990 Nobel Prize and the 1981 Cervantes Prize.
  
  The building was closed for 7 years to be refurbished and brought up to standard, and reopened to the public in October 2022.

  
  
  
• Discovery courses (Spanish language) in an incomparable setting
  Saturday, September 21, 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 3:00 p.m.
  

  Take advantage of the Journées du Patrimoine 2024 to visit the Instituto Cervantes de Paris' Octavio Paz library (a private mansion dating from 1883) and take part in our "discovery" courses (Spanish language) in an incomparable setting: beginners and false beginners (11:30 am and 3:30 pm) and intermediate level (3 pm). Our professional staff will be on hand to welcome and guide you if you wish to start learning Spanish or resume your training.