I share many events on the blog, but if there’s one that I particularly love, it’s the European Heritage Days, organized by the Ministry of Culture and Communication.

This year, these Days, which will take place on the weekend of Saturday, September 17th and Sunday, September 18th, 2016, will focus on the theme “Heritage and Citizenship”.

Melle Bon Plan’s Parisian selection:

Visit the Château de la Reine Blanche

Don’t hesitate to visit the Château de la Reine Blanche in the 13th arrondissement, which I already mentioned in a previous article, if you haven’t taken advantage of it yet.

This house with pointed gables is quite unknown yet classified as a Historic Monument; it was built for the Gobelin family and it is truly worth the detour!

Château de la Reine Blanche

Saturday, September 17 at 1:30 PM

Meeting point in front of the gate at 4 rue Gustave Geffroy 75013 Paris – Metro Les Gobelins line 7

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La Cité de la Mode et du Design

For the European Heritage Days, eight street artists, chosen by Fire n’ Brimestome and ID8B, are taking on the theme of water with the Wall on Fire exhibition, giving them the opportunity to cover 100 meters of the Quay’s walls.

Les Docks – Cité de la Mode et du Design

34, quai d’Austerlitz 75013 Paris

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A monumental work by Guillaume Bottazzi at Paris La Défense

The painter Guillaume Bottazzi created a 216 m² painting at the end of 2015 in the form of 6 panels measuring 6 meters by 6 meters at the foot of the D2 tower, in Paris La Défense.

This work, intended to bring us well-being, is to be discovered or rediscovered from September 16th to 23rd during the European Heritage Days.

Parvis de La Défense, Passerelle Alsace

92400 Courbevoie

from September 16 to 23, 2016

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The Golden Gallery of the Banque de France

With its 8-meter vaulted ceiling and impressive dimensions, the Golden Gallery is the jewel of the Hôtel de la Vrillière, purchased in 1808 by the Banque de France.

Built in 1640 by François Mansart and restored for the first time during the Second Empire, the Golden Gallery was restored again in 2015 with the intervention of Perrot & Richard Architects.

The painted ceilings by the artist François Perrier were almost completely lost as well as the canvases adorning the walls, but the restoration campaign highlighted the existing decor while adapting the Gallery to contemporary requirements.

Hôtel de Toulouse / Hôtel de La Vrillière

39 rue Croix-des-Petits-Champs 75001 Paris

open to the public on September 17 and 18, 2016 from 10 AM to 6 PM

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2 days of festivities at Bercy Village

For the European Heritage Days, Bercy Village is offering 2 free guided tours (approx. 1 hour 30 mins) organized by Cultival, to showcase its history and heritage, all in parallel with the free opera festival, Opéra côté Cour.

Duration: approx. 1h30

free tours at 11 AM and 3 PM

registration required via email at animation@bercyvillage.com

Show on Sunday, September 18, 2016 at 3:30 PM and 5 PM

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The Maison de la Radio

The Maison de la Radio is opening to the public for these days as it does every year, and you will be able to discover 50 years of history, from radio studios to grand concert halls, from its construction to its rehabilitation, from the Cold War to new technologies.

Program: free concerts, public broadcasts, tours, signings, and a treasure hunt.

Maison de la Radio

116 Avenue du Président Kennedy, 75016 Paris

September 17 and 18 from 9:30 AM

Guided tours from 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM / departures every 30 mins

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Shoah Memorial

The day of Sunday, September 18 will be dedicated to the discovery of family heritage treasures, through a meeting and presentation of objects and documents collected during the archive collection organized throughout France between 2014-2015. A unique tour tracing the ancient Jewish presence in the Marais will also be open to all.

Sunday, September 18 from 10 AM to 6 PM

2:30 PM: Meeting “You entrusted us with your archives”

3:00 PM: Guided tour “On the traces of the ancient Jewish presence in the Marais district”

Shoah Memorial

17 rue Geoffroy-l’Asnier 75004 Paris

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Take a step up at the Palais de la Porte Dorée

For the first time, the Palais de la Porte Dorée, one of the most beautiful Art Deco buildings in Europe which houses the collections of the National Museum of the History of Immigration and the Abdelmalek Sayad multimedia library, is offering an exceptional tour of its roofs, an opportunity to discover the panoramic view stretching from the Rock of Vincennes to La Défense.

This weekend will also be an opportunity to discover for free the Tropical Aquarium, which since 1931 has been dedicated to presenting aquatic fauna and flora from the other side of the world.

Guided tour of the roof of the Palais de la Porte Dorée

Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 September at 3 PM, 4 PM, 5 PM, and 6 PM

Duration: 45 minutes

Free / Reservation by email to: reservation@palais-portedoree.fr

Palais de la Porte Dorée

National Museum of the History of Immigration

Tropical Aquarium

293, avenue Daumesnil 75012 Paris

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The Jérôme Seydoux-Pathé Foundation

The Jérôme Seydoux-Pathé Foundation, to which I have already dedicated an article on the blog, will open its doors for the occasion and offer several activities.

Program:

• self-guided tours of the building designed by Renzo Piano,
• self-guided tours of the Collections Gallery,
• guided tours of the Equipment Gallery (Saturday and Sunday, tours at 11 AM / 1:30 PM / 3 PM / 5 PM),
• silent cinema screenings with cine-concert (Saturday and Sunday, screenings at 11:30 AM / 2 PM / 4 PM), in partnership with the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris.

Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 September from 10:30 AM to 6 PM

Jérôme Seydoux-Pathé Foundation

73 avenue des Gobelins 75013 Paris

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The Jardin des Plantes

For the European Heritage Days, the National Museum of Natural History is proposing a unique program by highlighting spaces and collections little known to the general public at the Jardin des Plantes site.

The secrets of the zoology library will finally be revealed by several specialists through lectures, projections, and also a live broadcast from a unique and inaccessible underground location.

In parallel, the Museum Library will bring out from its reserves manuscripts, drawings, prints, photographs, and old maps to present to the public, and will introduce visitors to the statues of the Jardin des Plantes.

National Museum of Natural History

57 Rue Cuvier, 75005 Paris

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The Musée de l’Homme

Located in the Palais de Chaillot, the Musée de l’Homme offers a weekend punctuated by activities around the theme “Heritage and Citizenship”.

Program:

• Saturday, September 17

• 11 AM / 12 PM / 3 PM / 4 PM Tracing the past: “Impromptu” activities
• 2 PM Meeting with the actors of the architectural renovation project

• Sunday, September 18

• 11 AM / 12 PM / 3 PM / 4 PM Tracing the past: “Impromptu” activities
• 2 PM Projection / meeting – Germaine Tillion by herself • 4 PM Meeting – Germaine Tillion and the Musée de l’Homme resistance network
• 5 PM Meeting – Germaine Tillion, a committed woman

• All weekend

• 10 AM – 6 PM Self-guided tour of the Gallery of Mankind
• 10 AM – 6 PM Exceptional opening of the Yvonne Oddon Library

Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 September 2016

from 10 AM to 6 PM

free admission

Musée de l’Homme

17, Place du Trocadéro 75016

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Dapper Museum

For the first time, the Dapper Museum (which I have already told you about on the blog several times) is participating in the European Heritage Days by allowing free access to the current exhibition.

Two free events are also offered:

• Saturday, September 17 from 11 AM to 11:45 AM or from 12 PM to 12:45 PM, discovery workshop of Amharic culture and alphabet (Ethiopia) led by two INALCO students.

• Saturday, September 17 at 3 PM, guided tour of the Masterpieces of Africa exhibition.

Dapper Museum

35 bis, rue Paul Valéry 75016 Paris

Reservation required at 01 45 00 91 75 or by email at reservation@dapper.fr

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The Grévin Museum

For the first time, the Grévin Museum is participating in the European Heritage Days. Inside the museum, actors will highlight the history of the Museum.

The tip: buy one ticket, get one free

Grévin Museum
10 Boulevard Montmartre, 75009 Paris

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The Banke Hotel

This 5-star boutique hotel located in the Opéra district, which I have already mentioned several times on the blog, is opening its doors to the public for the 3rd consecutive year.

If you don’t know it, it’s a historic place that I highly recommend you discover!

Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 September 2016

6 tours are scheduled over the 2 days at 11 AM, 2 PM, and 4 PM

Reservation essential with Emilie Perello, eperello@derbyhotels.com – 01 55 33 22 22

Banke Hotel Paris

20 rue Lafayette, 75009 Paris

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The Maritime Museum

On the program for the Maritime Museum, a unique and exceptional tour of the Palais de Chaillot (Saturday and Sunday at 12 PM, 3 PM, and 4 PM – duration 1h30 – registration on site, free), an immersion in the missions of the French Navy, and numerous activities to discover how the universal values of solidarity, crew spirit, and commitment embody maritime heritage.

National Maritime Museum

Paris, Palais de Chaillot

17, place du Trocadéro 75016 Paris

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Heritage and citizenship at the Army Museum

For this special weekend, the Army Museum reveals the richness of its collections, its trades, and its expertise through free activities open to everyone related to the theme of the year.

Program:

• guided tours “The Invalides behind the scenes” to discover places usually closed to the public such as the Governors’ vault or the Saint-Grégoire chapel
• guided tours of the Historial Charles de Gaulle, an interactive multimedia space dedicated to the founding president of the Fifth Republic and his actions
• guided tours around Marshal Foch
• weapon demonstration workshops from the museum’s collections
• discovery tours of the museum’s restoration workshops

free access from 10 AM to 6 PM

Army Museum

Hôtel des Invalides

129 rue de Grenelle 75007 Paris

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Melle Bon Plan’s Île-de-France selection:

The European Heritage Days in the Hauts-de-Seine

The Hauts-de-Seine Departmental Council proposes (re)discovering the three museums and six departmental parks as well as the Departmental Archives.

Exhibitions, guided tours, exceptional openings, screenings, and cultural activities will also be offered throughout the weekend in the museums and parks of the Hauts-de-Seine Department, key players in the Hauts-de-Seine Valley of Culture.

Don’t miss the visit to the Tour aux figures by Jean Dubuffet on Saturday, September 17 at 2 PM at the Ile Saint-Germain Departmental Park (Issy-les-Moulineaux).

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The National Archaeology Museum

The National Archaeology Museum, National Domain of Saint-Germain-en-Laye, offers various tours and activities to allow the public to rediscover this high place of heritage.

Program:

• The curator’s library: a rarely accessible museum space (Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 September from 10 AM to 5 PM).
• Demonstrations and workshops
• A tour of the chapel with the “ArcheoMAN” application developed with the support of the Réunion des musées nationaux – Grand Palais!

Free access from 10 AM to 5 PM

National Archaeology Museum

National Domain of Saint-Germain-en-Laye

place Charles de Gaulle 78100 Saint-Germain-en-Laye

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100 years of the Port of Bonneuil-sur-Marne

On the occasion of its 100th anniversary, the Port of Bonneuil-sur-Marne invites Ile-de-France residents and walkers to escape with their families for a festive, fun, and friendly afternoon on the banks of the Marne.

Program: discovery of inland waterway transport, sailor knot workshop, tour of boats, cycling, container helicopter lift demonstration, discovery of the Port’s birds through a photo exhibition and workshops, commented nature walks on the banks: tastings, anecdotes, discovery of fauna and flora, historical and environmental cruises to discover the secrets of the Port.

Saturday, September 17 from 2 PM to 9 PM

tip of the quai du Rancy

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An escape game to introduce the Russon Mill of Marne and Gondoire in Bussy-Saint-Georges

The Marne and Gondoire tourist office has called upon Collock, the Nomadic Escape Game, to help locals and tourists (re)discover regional heritage in a fun and unique way.

In this escape game “Sacred Grail” set in the Russon mill, teams of 8 players will become knights and embark on a quest for the Holy Grail.

To participate, registration is free on site with slots available every 30 minutes all day long. The visit to the mill is also free.

Russon Mill of Marne and Gondoire in Bussy-Saint-Georges

September 17 and 18, 2016 from 3 PM to 7 PM

Open to the General Public

free admission

Registration on site

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Melle Bon Plan’s French selection:

Visits to the reserves of the Frac of the Pays de la Loire

The Frac of the Pays de la Loire is offering exceptional tours of its reserves, a place rarely accessible to the public under normal circumstances. Visitors will also be able to discover the restoration workshop intended to become a true resource center for preventive conservation.

• Saturday at 4 PM: a workshop for children (from 7 years old) on the theme To resist is to exist followed by a snack.
• Sunday at 4 PM: a lecture by Julien Zerbone, art historian, on the exhibition by Amar Kanwar.

Frac des Pays de la Loire

Boulevard Ampère 44470 Carquefou

Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 September from 2 PM to 5 PM (tours of the reserves at 2 PM and 5 PM)

duration 1h / by reservation at 02 28 01 57 62 or by email: mediation@fracdespaysdelaloire.com

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The Pont du Gard site

For a weekend, you can enjoy a rich program of activities at the Pont du Gard around the theme “Heritage and Citizenship”.

This year, the site offers in particular an interest in the history of Celtic and Roman cultures with two exhibitions, a lecture, and the opening of its discovery spaces.

For these annual days, the discovery spaces, MUSEE, LUDO, CINE (the film “A Bridge crosses time”) are free of charge, and the canal on the 3rd floor of the Pont du Gard is graciously open to the public for crossing in groups of 30 people.

The Pont du Gard

September 17 and 18, 2016 from 9 AM to 7 PM

free admission

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Hotels & Heritage

For Heritage Days, the Hôtels & Patrimoine group is opening the doors of its historic monument-classified hotels to the general public.

Three exceptional places (L’Abbaye Hôtel de Sorreze – 81, l’Hôtel du couvent Royal de Saint Maximin – 83, l’Hôtel du Château Fort de Sedan – 08) that are organizing, for a weekend dedicated to heritage, guided tours and tracing their history over the centuries.

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I take action for my natural heritage

Since 2014, these days have also concerned natural heritage. In this sense, the Nicolas Hulot Foundation is launching the 1st “I take action for my natural heritage” days I take action for my natural heritage.

Thanks to the participation of numerous associations, nature managers, local authorities… hundreds of activities related to the discovery or protection of natural heritage will be posted online on the event’s website.

Program: nature outings, site cleanups, preservation projects, species observations, etc… The proposed actions are aimed at everyone, from 7 to 77 years old, and can be done as a family. They do not require specific skills or particular knowledge, just the desire to get informed and be useful.

September 17 & 18, 2016

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To enjoy the event and see what’s happening near you, the complete program for the 2016 European Heritage Days is available online on the website www.journeesdupatrimoine.culture.fr