Heritage Days: history, origins and dates 2025 of this key cultural event

Held every year on the third weekend of September, the Journées du Patrimoine (Heritage Days) take place on Saturday September 20 and Sunday September 21, 2025, not only in the Paris region, but throughout the rest of France. For two days only, this cultural event delights the curious, eager to push open the doors of major institutions, châteaux and museums, as well as more unusual and even hidden sites. But do you know the history and origins of the European Heritage Days? We tell you.

The event was first held in France on September 23, 1984, under the impetus of Jack Lang's Ministry of Culture. At the time, the event was organized for a single day under the name of " Open House Day in Historic Monuments ". The objective was already well defined: to show the general public the incredible wealth of France's heritage through a series of original events, unusual visits and exceptional openings.

By 1985, just one year after its launch, the day had grown to become a European event, under the impetus of the Council of Europe. In 1992, " Open House Day at Historic Monuments " was renamed " National Heritage Days ", and was held over several days.

But it wasn't until 2000 that the name was finally changed to European Heritage Days, or JEP. And while in 1993, 34 European countries took part in the event, this figure rose to 40 in 2000, making the European Heritage Days one of the first major international cultural events! By 2010, 50 countries around the world were organizing the event.

• To be read
• Journées du Patrimoine 2024 in Paris (75): schedule of visits by arrondissement
• Heritage Days 2024 at museums and art foundations in Paris and the Île-de-France region
• Journées du Patrimoine 2024 in Paris and the Île-de-France region: bookable tours

And each year, a national theme is highlighted. The theme varies from country to country, but all share a common watchword: highlighting the European dimension. Living heritage, heritage and education, sports heritage, natural heritage, maritime heritage, art and entertainment... Heritage can be discovered in many different ways. In 2025, the theme of the 42nd edition is"Architectural Heritage": an opportunity to admire and visit exceptional buildings or unusual architectural creations.

Discover the program of the Journées du Patrimoine 2025 in Paris and Île-de-France:

Heritage Days 2024 in Paris and the Île-de-France region: the full programme for this year's event
The Journées du Patrimoine return on September 21 and 22, 2024, for their 41st edition. In Paris and the Île-de-France region, it's a chance to visit free museums and castles, places that are exceptionally open, unusual guided tours and other great activities, on the themes of "Heritage of routes, networks and connections" and "Maritime heritage". [Read more]