Journées du patrimoine 2026: 43rd edition explores photography bicentennial and heritage preservation
The 43rd Journées du patrimoine is set to take place in France on 19 and 20 September 2026, celebrating the 200th anniversary of photography while addressing the challenges of climate change, mass tourism, and conflict in heritage preservation. Since its inception in 1984, this event has offered remarkable access to various sites, attracting over 7.4 million visitors last year. Noteworthy events include the unveiling of new areas at the C2RMF in Versailles on 19 September from 12:40 to 18:00, along with the opening of spaces at the Ministry of Culture in the Palais-Royal, which will feature a children's treasure hunt. Additionally, an exhibition dedicated to photographer Willy Ronis (1910–2009) will be part of the 'Grand Angle' initiative. Further information can be found on the Beaux Arts website.
Key facts
- The 43rd Journées du patrimoine will be held on 19 and 20 September 2026 across France.
- The event aligns with the bicentennial of photography, highlighting collections in museums, archives, and libraries.
- It also addresses heritage preservation threats: climate change, mass tourism, and conflict-related destruction.
- Since 1984, the event has offered exceptional openings of sites normally closed to the public.
- Last year, over 7.4 million visits were recorded during the third weekend of September.
- The C2RMF in Versailles opens its new spaces on Saturday 19 from 12:40 to 18:00.
- The Ministry of Culture at Palais-Royal in Paris opens its spaces, including the minister's office, with a treasure hunt for children.
- An exhibition on photographer Willy Ronis (1910–2009) is part of the free 'Grand Angle' program at Palais-Royal.
Entities
Artists
- Willy Ronis
- Kourtney Roy
- Codex Urbanus
- Gwendoline Finaz de Villaine
- Pauline Lévêque
- Robert Capa
- Thomas Consani
- Jean-Jacques Henner
- Jeanne Smith
- Madeleine Smith
- Mary Meerson
- Lotte Eisner
- Marie Epstein
- Musidora
- Henri Langlois
- Niki de Saint Phalle
- Jean Tinguely
- Sivan Eldar
- Hélène Frappat
- Mikel Urquiza
- Olivia Gay
- Georges Achille-Fould
- André Le Nôtre
Institutions
- Ministry of Culture
- Centre de recherche et de restauration des musées de France (C2RMF)
- Directions régionales des affaires culturelles (DRAC)
- Grand Angle
- Beaux Arts
- Citéco – Cité de l’Économie
- Musée d’histoire de la Pharmacie
- Musée de la libération de Paris – Musée du Général Leclerc – Musée Jean Moulin
- Musée national Jean-Jacques Henner
- Fondation des Artistes
- Maison nationale des artistes
- Cité internationale
- Maison Guimet
- Cinémathèque française
- Ircam
- Hangar Y
- Rencontres d’Arles
- Artistik Rezo
Locations
- France
- Versailles
- Paris
- Palais-Royal
- Petite Écurie du Roi
- Trocadéro
- Place du Trocadéro
- Hôtel Gaillard
- 4 avenue Ruysdaël, 75008 Paris
- 4 Avenue du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy, 75014 Paris
- 43 Avenue de Villiers, 75017 Paris
- Nogent-sur-Marne
- 17, bd Jourdan 75014 Paris
- 19 avenue d’Iéna, 75116 Paris
- 51 rue de Bercy, 75012 Paris
- 1 place Igor-Stravinsky 75004 Paris
- Meudon
- 9, avenue de Trivaux, 92190 Meudon
- Courbevoie
- 142 boulevard Saint-Denis 92400 Courbevoie
- New York
- Madison Avenue
- États-Unis
- Bernwiller