This year, the 40th edition of the European Heritage Days focuses on the theme of Sustainable Heritage. This is an opportunity to discover public buildings steeped in history and normally never open to the public. On Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 September, you will be able to enjoy exceptional openings, guided tours and original activities throughout France.
Every year, during the third weekend of September, France - like all of Europe - celebrates its heritage. Guided tours, exceptional openings of sites usually closed to the public, events... Lovers of beautiful stones, art or know-how enjoy a programme combining emblematic monuments, exclusivities and discoveries.
In 2023, two themes will be given honoured: "Living Heritage" and "Sporting Heritage", less than a year before the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games kick off.
Living Heritage and Sporting Heritage: the two themes of the 2023 edition
With less than a year to go before the start of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the European Heritage Days are building bridges between sport and culture. Stadiums, swimming pools, racecourses, ice rinks, golf courses... Sports facilities all over France will be opening their doors to visitors, as will some training centres that are traditionally closed to the public. Museums will also be hosting temporary exhibitions on the theme of sport.
Sport will not be the only theme of this 2023 edition. Living Heritage", also known as intangible cultural heritage, which has been protected by UNESCO under a convention since 2003, will also be in the spotlight throughout the weekend. It's a great opportunity for the whole family to rediscover French know-how, with craftsmanship and gastronomy at the forefront.
This year again, the day before the event will be a day dedicated to schoolchildren, with the "Raise your eyes! Coordinated by both the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of National Education, Youth and Sports, this event will give pupils the opportunity to (re)discover the heritage that surrounds them thanks to their teacher. This is an opportunity to raise awareness of the need to protect it and to teach them to be amazed.
As for the unusual events, you can take advantage of the exceptional opening of the backstage areas of the Lyon auditorium and the Gare Saint-Lazare, visit the Lille Opera, the Imperial Theatre of the Château de Fontainebleau and the Beaux Arts de Paris!
Find all information on the open doors during the Heritage Days on this website
By The editor
The editorial staff of France.fr follows the trends and news of destinations to bring you stories from France that reveal its innovations and traditions that make you long to (re) discover its territories.
