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
▼ Paris Municipal Credit: a visit to "My Aunt"
A visit to the Crédit Municipal is a must. It was the philanthropist Théophraste Renaudot who founded this reliable and socially responsible pawnshop in 1637. Tours of Paris's oldest financial institution include a visit to the remains of the Philippe Auguste city wall, its former management offices, and its Directoire-style 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, rising from its ashes
Although Notre-Dame Cathedral has been closed since the terrible fire of April 2019 , it will be accessible through events on its forecourt.
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 to the Town 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.
Note the presence of the REMPART association which on Saturday the 18th from 10:00 to 17:00 will come to 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 preservation association near your home.
• 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
02.10.20
