Since 1984, heritage days have attracted crowds of curious people every year to places usually closed to the public or sometimes open to the public but simply unknown.
Many of them are logically located in the historic heart of Paris: the Marais. Here is a selection of visits on the occasion of the 38th edition of heritage days. The monuments open their doors free of charge to history lovers.
▼ Sublime National Archives
The Hôtel de Soubise, which houses part of the national archives, is remarkable for its beauty. We discover the ceremonial courtyard of a private mansion dating from 1700 as well as its facade punctuated by double superimposed columns, its pediment with statues allegories of Glory and Magnificence.
The apartments of the Prince and Princess of Soubise are appreciated for their rococo, gold and purple decor, unique in Paris.
As for collectors, they will be able to have a field day: a sale of books and postcard catalogs is being announced at unbeatable prices.
• National Archives Museum
60, rue des Francs-Bourgeois 75003 Paris
Saturday 18 and Sunday 19
From 11:00 am to 18:00 pm
Free – open access
▼ Crédit Municipal de Paris: a visit to “Ma Tante”
A visit to the Municipal Credit is a must. It was the philanthropist Théophraste Renaudot who founded this reliable and supportive pawnbroking service in 1637. Visits to the oldest Parisian financial institution include the remains of Philippe Auguste's enclosure, his management office, his executive staircase.
In addition to this course, adults will be able to have their objects appraised – free of charge – (jewelry, watch, painting, etc.) while younger children will discover it through a giant coloring page.
• Municipal credit
55, rue des Francs-Bourgeois 75004 Paris
Saturday 18 and Sunday 19
From 10:30 am to 18:00 pm
Free – self-guided tours and guided tours
▼ Notre-Dame, reborn from her ashes
Notre-Dame Cathedral may have been closed since the terrible fire of April 2019, it will be accessible, through activities on its square.
Enough to immerse yourself in a Dantesque construction site and discover the different trades working to save the extraordinary building: organ builders, mural painting restorers, stone and metal sculptors, coppersmiths, skaters, scaffolders, rope access technicians, carpenters etc.
Not to be missed: “Notre-Dame de Paris, the augmented exhibition” a virtual immersion in the history of the cathedral and the current construction site, broadcast at the Cité de l'architecture et du patrimoine.
• Notre Dame of Paris
Parvis Notre-Dame Place Jean-Paul-II, 75004 Paris
Saturday 18 and Sunday 19
From 10:00 am to 18:00 pm
Free – free access, without reservation
▼ Everyone at City Hall!
This is the opportunity to enter the sumptuous lounges of Paris City Hall and even the offices of elected officials. These days are an opportunity to discover the gold of the republic, a show and the preservation of this XNUMXth century monument.
Destroyed under the Commune in 1871, rebuilt in 1882 by the architects Théodore Ballu and Edouard Deperthes, the building is the subject of daily care. We will focus on the know-how of the craftsmen who work to maintain this neo-Renaissance building, through activities and demonstrations.
To note, the presence of the association REMPART who on Saturday 18 from 10:00 a.m. to 17:00 p.m. will explain how to participate in a volunteer project for the restoration of heritage – in France and abroad – or how to get involved in a heritage protection association near you .
• Hôtel de ville
3, rue Lobau 75004 Paris
Saturday 18 and Sunday 19
From 10:00 am to 17:30 pm
Free – self-guided tours and guided tours
Text: Katia Barillot
Photos: ©Anaïs Costet
10.09.21
