Heritage Days in Paris: a practical guide to planning your weekend (and choosing where to stay)
Heritage Days in Paris: a practical guide to planning your weekend (and choosing where to stay)
Every year, in September, Paris reveals treasures that are usually hidden. Palaces of the Republic, ministries, private mansions, historic libraries, artisan workshops and cultural institutions exceptionally open their doors for the European Heritage Days. For two days, the capital invites visitors to discover its heritage differently, away from the usual tourist routes. It is one of the most anticipated cultural events of the new season, both for Parisians and for travelers from all over France and abroad. Are you planning a stay in Paris during this period? Here is our practical guide to help you prepare your weekend, enjoy the most beautiful visits and choose an ideally located hotel to explore the capital with complete peace of mind.
Book your stay for the European Heritage Days
The 2026 edition: what you need to know
The European Heritage Days 2026 will take place on Saturday, September 19 and Sunday, September 20. For this 43rd edition, two themes will be highlighted:
● The heritage of photography, as part of the Bicentenary of Photography, celebrated in France in 2026-2027;
● “Heritage in danger: revive, resist, reimagine”, a European theme that highlights the actions taken to preserve and pass on our heritage in the face of environmental, technological or tourism-related challenges. These themes will be reflected in many activities, exhibitions and guided tours offered throughout France. In Paris, they will notably provide the opportunity to discover photographic collections, restoration workshops, archives and the professions that contribute to preserving historic monuments. The program is published gradually by the Ministry of Culture. Some visits are freely accessible, while others require prior registration due to the limited number of places.
Check our availability for the weekend of September 19 and 20
The must-see places to discover in Paris
Every year, certain sites attract thousands of visitors. The must-sees generally include:
● The Élysée Palace, whose exceptional opening is highly anticipated. Visits require online registration and places are often taken within a few hours.
● The National Assembly and the Senate, which allow visitors to discover two major institutions of the French Republic.
● The Jardin des Plantes, where guided tours sometimes provide access to spaces usually closed to the public, such as the Central Library.
● The behind-the-scenes areas of iconic places, such as the Galeries Lafayette workshops or the Maison de la Radio, which occasionally open their doors for the event. Of course, the list changes every year depending on the participating institutions.
The Nouvel Hôtel Eiffel team’s tip
With the Bicentenary of Photography, the 2026 edition will particularly highlight French photographic heritage. If you love photography, consider looking out for temporary exhibitions, collections or guided tours dedicated to this theme. They will allow you to discover Paris from an original angle, while sometimes avoiding the most crowded places.
How to organize your weekend without wasting time
To fully enjoy the European Heritage Days, good preparation makes all the difference. Before your departure, keep this short checklist in mind: - Do not try to see everything. It is better to enjoy two or three quality visits than to rush from one monument to another.
- Organize your visits by district. For example, dedicate one day to the Left Bank (Invalides, Eiffel Tower, UNESCO, Bourdelle Museum…) and another to central Paris or the Marais.
- Check the official program as soon as it is published. Some highly requested visits, such as the Élysée Palace or certain ministries, require booking several weeks in advance.
- Book the most popular places first. Slots can sometimes be filled within just a few hours.
- Take advantage of the many free visits. Most monuments, national museums and participating institutions are accessible free of charge.
- Bring comfortable shoes. You will often walk several kilometers during the day.
Our selection of visits worth discovering
If you are only coming to Paris for the weekend, here are the places we recommend prioritizing.
To discover the behind-the-scenes of the Republic
If you enjoy political history or wish to visit buildings usually closed to the public, several institutions exceptionally open their doors during the European Heritage Days. Among the most sought-after are:
● the Élysée Palace, the official residence of the President of the Republic;
● the National Assembly;
● the Senate, located in the magnificent Luxembourg Palace;
● certain ministries, depending on the program for the year.
For architecture lovers
Do you already know the Eiffel Tower or Notre-Dame? Take advantage of the European Heritage Days to step inside buildings usually closed to the public. We particularly recommend:
● the Sainte-Geneviève Library;
● the École des Beaux-Arts;
● the Economic, Social and Environmental Council;
● certain private mansions in the Marais. You will discover a much more confidential side of Paris.
For photography enthusiasts
The 2026 edition celebrates the Bicentenary of Photography. It is an excellent reason to discover often little-known collections. Depending on the program, several institutions will offer:
● temporary exhibitions;
● photographic archives;
● demonstrations around old photographic processes;
● guided tours dedicated to photographic heritage.
Hidden gems to discover near Nouvel Hôtel Eiffel
By staying at Nouvel Hôtel Eiffel, you are ideally located to discover several sites that regularly take part in the European Heritage Days, without multiplying journeys. Among our recommendations:
● UNESCO, whose headquarters regularly opens its doors. A wonderful opportunity to discover its architecture and remarkable collection of artworks.
● The Maison de la Radio et de la Musique, which sometimes offers tours of the studios and behind-the-scenes areas of Radio France.
● The Mobilier National, where the exceptional expertise of French artisans is highlighted through workshop visits.
● The Bourdelle Museum, a true haven of peace for sculpture lovers, located in the artist’s former studios.
● Les Invalides, which often enriches its program with themed visits or the exceptional opening of certain spaces.
Why stay at Nouvel Hôtel Eiffel during the European Heritage Days?
To fully enjoy the European Heritage Days, the choice of your district is almost as important as the visits themselves. While the most touristy arrondissements may seem appealing at first, they are also the busiest during this weekend. The 15th arrondissement offers an excellent compromise: residential, lively and perfectly served by public transport, it allows you to quickly reach the main cultural sites while returning to a quieter environment at the end of the day. Located in the heart of the district, Nouvel Hôtel Eiffel is an ideal starting point for exploring the capital. In just a few metro stops, you can easily reach the Eiffel Tower, Les Invalides, Montparnasse or the historic center of Paris, before returning to the comfort of your room after a day of discoveries. After several hours of walking, you will appreciate the warm atmosphere of our family-run hotel and the calm of the neighborhood.
Start preparing your stay in Paris for the European Heritage Days now
The European Heritage Days are a wonderful opportunity to discover Paris differently. Between iconic monuments, places usually closed to the public and more confidential visits, everyone can create a program that suits them. To fully enjoy this experience, remember to prepare your itinerary, book the most popular visits and choose well-located accommodation. Located in the 15th arrondissement, close to the Eiffel Tower, Les Invalides and Montparnasse, Nouvel Hôtel Eiffel is an excellent starting point for exploring the capital throughout this exceptional weekend. Book directly on our website to benefit from the best available rate and a personalized welcome. Our team will be delighted to share its tips with you to make your stay in Paris as pleasant as it is unforgettable.
