Journées du Patrimoine 2024: curiosities and oddities to explore in Paris and the Île-de-France region

Do you love strange places, almost unknown to the general public, whose meaning we sometimes struggle to understand? During the 41st edition of the Journées du Patrimoine (Heritage Days), which return to Paris and the Ile-de-France region on September 21 and 22, 2024, take a guided or self-guided tour of these curious, bizarre or simply astonishing monuments or places, which you'd never have imagined in the middle of the city, for a weekend.

Hundreds of museums, castles, monuments, churches, concert halls, gardens and other venues open their doors, sometimes exceptionally, for this annual heritage event. It's a jam-packed program, with so many fun things to discover that it can be hard to sort through them all! We offer treasure seekers and Sunday adventurers a small selection of man-made and natural finds not to be missed!

Use this guide to visit some of the region's most unsuspected and unusual places! Between gardens, caves, ancient monuments and other places you'd never think of visiting in the first place, the Journées du Patrimoine (Heritage Days) are waiting for you to enjoy some lovely surprises, often free of charge, in our départements.

Heritage Days 2024: discover the Closerie Falbala - Fondation Dubuffet (94)
La Closerie Falbala, a major work by Dubuffet, is open free of charge during the 41st Journées du Patrimoine. On Saturday September 21 and Sunday September 22, 2024, don't hesitate to visit (booking required) this 1,500 m² masterpiece of art brut, built in the open air between 1971 and 1976. [Read more]

Heritage Days 2024 at the National Veterinary School and Fragonard Museum in Alfort (94)
To mark the 41st Journées du Patrimoine, the École Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort and its museum invite you to take part in free guided tours on September 21 and 22, 2024. It's the perfect time to discover the history of this atypical place, and perhaps inspire some vocations in young visitors. [Read more]

Journées du Patrimoine 2024 at the Maison du Fontainier, a plunge into the history of water in Paris
Ready to delve into the history of Paris during the 2024 Heritage Days? What better way to do so than to visit the Maison du Fontainier, a major landmark in the history of water in the capital. See you this weekend, September 21 and 22, 2024. [Read more]

Journées du Patrimoine 2024 in Paris: the Carrière des Capucins and the Cloister of Port-Royal
If you're a fan of the Catacombs, come and discover the Carrière des Capucins during the Journées du Patrimoine, on September 21, 2024, and take the opportunity to survey the Cloître de Port-Royal, in the heart of the Hôpital Cochin. An event rich in discoveries! [Read more]

Heritage Days 2024 at the Tour Trajane (91): visit to the ancient column at Méréville
Did you know that a Roman monument overlooks Essonne? Take advantage of the Journées du Patrimoine (Heritage Days) on September 21 and 22, 2024 to discover the Tour Trajane, this curiosity of the town of Méréville! [Read more]

Journées du Patrimoine 2024 in Paris: workshop tour at Cité Montmartre-aux-artistes
Not far from the Butte Montmartre lies a veritable artists' city, the largest in Europe! During the Journées du Patrimoine 2024 (Heritage Days 2024), we're off to discover this amazing and inspiring place, in the heart of the 18th arrondissement of Paris, this weekend of September 21 and 22, 2024. [Read more]

Heritage Days 2024 at the Garden of Pagan Divinities in Fontenay-lès-Briis (91)
The Journées du Patrimoine (Heritage Days) are an opportunity to discover the curiosities that abound in the Ile-de-France region. Head for Fontenay-lès-Briis, in Essonne, on September 21 and 22, 2024, to wander through a garden of sculptures that are, to say the least, astonishing... We reveal the program in detail. [Read more]

Heritage Days 2024: Le Nymphée nymphée, shell grotto in Viry-Châtillon (91)
The Journées du Patrimoine (Heritage Days) are making a comeback on the weekend of September 21 and 22, 2024 in Paris and the Île-de-France region. This is your chance to explore the Nymphée Nymphée, a mysterious shell-covered cave awaiting you in Viry-Châtillon, Essonne. What an unusual discovery! [Read more]

Heritage Days 2024: lectures and tours at Espace Niemeyer, headquarters of the Communist Party
For the Journées du Patrimoine 2024, explore the iconic Espace Niemeyer, headquarters of the French Communist Party. Designed by Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer, this futuristic edifice with its daring shapes opens its doors for a unique immersion in an architectural masterpiece, blending history and modernity. A not-to-be-missed event for art and architecture enthusiasts! [Read more]

Journées du Patrimoine 2024 at Hôtel de Massa, home to the Société des Gens de Lettres
The Journées du Patrimoine are back in Paris. For the weekend of September 21 and 22, 2024, the Hôtel de Massa, home to the Société des Gens de Lettres, unveils an exhibition on its surrounding wall. [Read more]

Heritage Days 2024: an unusual visit to the Villenoy conical air-raid shelter (77)
Do you know the conical air-raid shelter at Villenoy? Don't miss the 2024 edition of the Journées du Patrimoine (Heritage Days) to discover this unique monument located in Seine-et-Marne. [Read more]

Heritage Days 2024: visit and concert at the Musée des Années 30 in Boulogne-Billancourt (92)
For the Journées du Patrimoine 2024, plunge into the fascinating world of the 1930s at the Musée des Années 30 de Boulogne-Billancourt. From art deco to iconic sculptures and paintings, this museum invites you on a journey back in time to the heart of the artistic effervescence of the twentieth century. [Read more]

Journées du Patrimoine 2024: games and tours at the Paris School of Pharmacy
Are you passionate about science and medicine? Be sure to visit the Faculty of Pharmacy on September 21 and 22, 2024, during the Journées du Patrimoine (Heritage Days). [Read more]

Journées du Patrimoine 2024: free discovery for young people at Cyclop in Milly-la-Forêt (91)
During the Journées du Patrimoine 2024 (Heritage Days 2024), you'll discover a host of interesting sights in the Ile-de-France region, particularly in Essonne, where the Cyclop, a huge, astonishing sculpture, is hidden in the heart of the Milly forest. [Read more]

Heritage Days 2024: visit to the Bois-Colombes air-raid shelter (92)
History buffs and WWII enthusiasts will be able to take advantage of the Heritage Days on September 21 and 22, 2024, with an exceptional visit to the Bois-Colombes air-raid shelter. [Read more]

Heritage Days 2024 at Fort de Romainville (93) in the footsteps of the Second World War
As part of the Journées du Patrimoine 2024 (Heritage Days 2024), Seine-Saint-Denis is inviting you to explore four places of World War II history and remembrance, including the Fort de Romainville, on September 22. [Read more]

Heritage Days at the Château royal de Montceaux (77): discovering the remains
How about exploring the remains of the Château Royal de Montceaux? This historic site in Seine-et-Marne awaits us for the Heritage Days this weekend of September 21 and 22, 2024. [Read more]

Heritage Days 2024 at the Maison Ferrari (92): a legacy of the Duchess of Galliera
We're heading for the Hauts-de-Seine for these Journées du Patrimoine 2024, and the Maison Ferrari in Clamart, built by the Duchesse de Galliera, which today houses a retirement home in a sublime setting. [Read more]

Heritage Days 2024 at the Musée des cires pathologiques de l'Hôpital Saint-Louis
For the Journées du Patrimoine 2024, Hôpital Saint-Louis is opening the doors of its very special Musée des Moulages on Saturday September 21 and Sunday September 22, 2024. With over 4,800 items, it's the world's largest collection of pathological waxworks. Sensitive souls please refrain! [Read more]

So, which curiosity will you be exploring first this weekend?

Journées du Patrimoine 2024: unusual and original outings in Paris and the Île-de-France region
Think you know everything about Paris? Well, we can still surprise you! On Saturday September 21 and Sunday September 22, 2024, you're in for a real treat at the Journées du Patrimoine! We're sharing our picks for the 41st Journées du Patrimoine, in Paris and Île-de-France. [Read more]