Journées du Patrimoine 2025: the 5th arrondissement in action

Few people know it yet, but the 5th arrondissement is about to become the beating heart of the 2025 European Heritage Days. On September 20 and 21, mythical monuments and hidden treasures will open their doors free of charge. After Verification Terrain, the Panthéon, the Sorbonne, the Institut du Monde Arabe and the Arènes de Lutèce will all be offering new programs in Paris.

An exceptional weekend in Paris

The Panthéon will welcome the public to admire its Foucault pendulum and the tombs of great French figures. The Journées du Patrimoine 2025 will offer a unique opportunity to visit this great place of memory free of charge. According to figures released on September 15, 2025, the site will be freely accessible from 10am to 6pm.

At the same time, theInstitut du Monde Arabe will be presenting its flagship exhibitions, including “Le Mystère Cléopâtre” and “Trésors sauvés de Gaza”. Calligraphy, mosaic and modeling workshops will be open to families on a space-available basis. Insiders know: these activities fill up very quickly.

Historic monuments and living knowledge

As a symbol of Parisian learning, the Sorbonne will be opening its doors to the public on this day. The general public will be able to admire the Richelieu Chapel, which is only accessible with prior registration due to the limited number of places available. This exceptional opportunity underlines the heritage importance of this university building.

The Mairie du 5e will not be outdone, offering guided tours of its Art Deco building on Saturdays. Heritage curator Emmanuelle Philippe will guide visitors at 2.30pm and 4.15pm on September 20. Participants will discover architectural details rarely commented on at other official events.

Cultural activities and local participation

In addition to the classic monuments, the 5th arrondissement will be showcasing festive activities. A dance conference entitled “Valentine … la belle époque” will take place in the Cour d’honneur Jacques Chirac. This show will combine historical narrative and artistic performance to plunge the audience back into a Paris in transformation.

The Arènes de Lutèce and the Jardin des Plantes will be offering tours and workshops designed especially for children. This educational dimension embodies the desire to open up our heritage to younger generations. Since our last visit, the town hall has improved accessibility for people with reduced mobility.

Finally, a number of local associations, such as Graffart, will be organizing street art walks. These unusual routes reveal the existence of a living heritage that complements the more institutional monuments. In this way, Paris demonstrates its ability to combine classical heritage with contemporary creation.

“The Mairie du 5e is an Art Deco gem, and we’re offering exclusive guided tours to reveal its architecture” – Emmanuelle Philippe, heritage curator

Reservations and practical organization

Some must-see events are already sold out, including workshops at the Institut du Monde Arabe, tours of the Richelieu Chapel and limited street art trails. To guarantee your place, online booking remains essential. Professionals admit that flow management remains a major challenge for the Journées.

Other visits will be free and without registration: Panthéon, Jardin des Plantes and concerts organized by certain local parishes. This hybrid model aims to balance visitor numbers between major sites and secondary venues. Regular visitors to the 5th arrondissement know that certain hidden routes offer more comfort than long queues.

“The Sorbonne exceptionally opens its restored Richelieu Chapel for the Journées du Patrimoine” – official press release Sorbonne.fr

An inclusive, non-controversial event

According to the official sources consulted, these Journées du Patrimoine 2025 show no signs of controversy. The only adjustment concerns a partial postponement of activities to Saturday September 20, due to the parliamentary elections. This configuration does, however, allow us to concentrate our activities to ensure a diverse cultural offering.

The program emphasizes the inclusive dimension of heritage. Itineraries will be adapted for families, translations will be offered, and some venues will be adapted to welcome visitors with reduced mobility. This approach confirms the desire of cultural institutions to broaden the audience for these days.

Cultural initiatives of this kind help to promote the 5th arrondissement as an emblematic university and scientific district. They are part of an overall dynamic of cultural attractiveness recognized in Paris.

Practical information

Dates: Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 September 2025. Panthéon: 10am-6pm. Institut du Monde Arabe: 10am-7pm, workshops bookable via official website. Sorbonne: open both days, with advance registration for the Richelieu chapel. Mairie du 5e: guided tours Saturday, 09/20 at 2:30pm and 4:15pm. Arènes de Lutèce and Jardin des Plantes: free strolls and on-site activities.

Address: 21 place du Panthéon, 75005 Paris (central location). Metro: Cardinal Lemoine (line 10), Jussieu (lines 7 and 10), Luxembourg (RER B). Free admission, except for workshops, which must be booked in advance. Updated information is available on the official websites of each institution and on mairie05.paris.fr.

These events join other Parisian cultural trends, such as the L’Oréal Paris 2025 fashion show and live arts programs, confirming the vitality of central Paris’ heritage and artistic scene.