Once again this year, for the Journées du Patrimoine (Heritage Days), the National Archives in Pierrefitte are opening their doors to us on Saturday September 21 and Sunday September 22, 2024, to let us discover how they work, their history, and the secrets kept behind these walls.
Under the authority of the French Ministry of Culture, the National Archives are responsible for collecting, preserving, restoring and promoting the documents of public bodies, in order to keep a documented record of thehistory of France since the 7th century. There are several conservation sites in France, but the head office is located in Pierrefitte-sur-Seine, Seine-Saint-Denis. On its website, the institution states that " the Pierrefitte-sur-Seine site preserves archives dating from after the French Revolution and archives of private origin. "
To find out more about this institution, which dates back to 1790, come to Pierrefitte for the Journées du Patrimoine. What better way to discover France's past than at this major cultural event, which showcases the country's historical treasures?
In the footsteps of the Fratellini family" workshop
Using the Fratellini family archives held at the Archives nationales, build the circus tent of your dreams and discover the destiny of a great family known the world over.
From age 6
From 2 pm to 6 pm Saturday non-stop
Guided tour of the exhibition
Anti-Semitism in action, 1940-1944
From 1940 onwards, the Vichy regime introduced a series of measures legalizing anti-Semitic persecution. Gradually, the noose tightened around the so-called "Jewish" population, subject to an increasingly strict and coercive regulatory framework. The "suppliques", letters formulating requests for exceptions to these racial laws, were then an attempt - often desperate - to escape these measures.
This mini-exhibition shows the implacable logic of the legislative apparatus, the consequences of these measures for the populations concerned, and the contrasting individual reactions to this state anti-Semitism.
Guided tour Saturday, 2:15pm
Tours of the
building Come and discover what goes on behind the scenes of this contemporary building housing the History of France over fifteen centuries. What precious documents are stored in these kilometers of shelving? Can we access all the documents produced by the State?
Guided tours on Saturday at 2:30, 3:00, 4:00 and 5:00 pm
Guided tours on Sunday at 2:00 pm (LSF), 2:30 pm, 3:00 pm, 4:00 pm and 5:00 pm
Tours of the restoration, bookbinding and gilding workshops
This guided tour will take you inside the National Archives' restoration and photography workshops, where you'll discover exceptional skills and know-how. Art technicians from the Archives Nationales will welcome you and introduce you to their trade.
Guided tours on Saturday at 2:30 pm, 3:30 pm and 4:30 pm.
Guided tours on Sunday at 2:30 pm, 3:30 pm and 4:30 pm.
Guided tour of the exhibition
Archives explore time! The permanent exhibition
Unravelling the thread of time around 80 documents and objects, from the Middle Ages to the present day, this new exhibition takes a different approach to history, using the written word, maps, photography and digital technology. You'll explore "the path of republican law" and "the archives of intimacy", discover the cartography and photography of the territories around Paris, enter the story of a life "from birth to death", and more.
Free admission - Guided tours Saturday and Sunday at 4 p.m.
Workshop "Awaken your inner athlete!
Come along as a family to make your own medal from archival documents, and immortalize your sporting achievement during a photo session.
This workshop is offered as part of the traveling exhibition (RE)JOUER! 100 years of the Olympic Games in France, in partnership with Plaine Commune
From age 6
Sunday, 2 pm to 6 pm
It promises to be an exciting program. Happy Heritage Days in Seine-Saint-Denis!
Dates and Opening Time
From September 21, 2024 to September 22, 2024
Location
Archives nationales - Pierrefitte site
59 Rue Guynemer
93200 Saint Denis
Access
Line 13, Saint Denis-Université metro station
Prices
Free
Official website
www.archives-nationales.culture.gouv.fr
