Metro, catacombs, PSG Campus: our favourite visits for the 2026 Journées du patrimoine in Paris
What if this September weekend gave you a completely new perspective on Paris, from its underground depths to its runways? The Journées du patrimoine 2026 in Paris offer a selection of unusual visits, many of them inaccessible for the rest of the year, for anyone curious enough to venture off the beaten track.
Secret venues open for one weekend only at the JEP 2026
Some places open their doors just once a year. The PSG Campus in Poissy is one of them, welcoming the general public for the very first time on this occasion. Visitors will be able to explore the training pitches, preparation and recovery areas, as well as discover the organic kitchen garden, orchard and beehives that make this a truly singular place. This is where the future elite of Parisian football is shaped.
In an equally rare register, the Musée des Moulages at the Hôpital Saint-Louis opens its doors for an exceptional visit. Housed in one of Paris’s oldest hospitals, built in 1607, the space carries an atmosphere somewhere between a 19th-century medical cabinet and a natural history museum. Nearly 5,000 wax casts, produced between the late 19th and early 20th centuries, reproduce dermatological lesions with striking precision. The visit is not recommended for children under 12.
Meanwhile, the Manufacture de Chocolat Alain Ducasse, in the 20th arrondissement, once again opens its doors for a guided tour led by master chocolatiers and ice-cream makers. Opened in 2023, this workshop pulls back the curtain on the secrets of French chocolate and ice cream, offering full immersion in a breathtaking space.
Underground and in the air: the most thrilling experiences at the 2026 Journées du patrimoine in Paris
For those seeking an adrenaline rush, Roissy-Charles de Gaulle airport is offering a flight simulation at the controls of a Cessna 172 in an ultra-realistic simulator. But that’s not all: a listening station installed inside an Airbus A380 nacelle lets visitors compare the sounds of aircraft past and present, while a guided tour of the restricted zone and a special Terminal 2 circuit led by an architect round out the programme. These activities take place on Saturday 19 September 2026.
At the other extreme, the Catacombs of Paris invite visitors to descend more than 20 metres underground for a literary guided tour called “les Catacombes à la lettre”. The subterranean ossuary, the largest in the world with more than 1,500 metres of galleries sometimes stacked across three levels, is explored here through the words and testimonies of great French authors. This nocturnal walk is scheduled for Saturday 19 September at 8pm.
- Musée des Moulages, Hôpital Saint-Louis (10th arrondissement): 19 and 20 September, not recommended for children under 12
- PSG Campus, Poissy: 19 and 20 September, first-ever opening to the public
- Catacombs of Paris (14th arrondissement): Saturday 19 September at 8pm, literary guided tour
- Flight simulation, Roissy-CDG airport: Saturday 19 September
- INA, Bry-sur-Marne: 19 and 20 September, free admission
Culture, archives and behind the scenes: more not-to-miss events
The Journées du patrimoine 2026 in Paris are also an opportunity to dive into the audiovisual archives of the INA in Bry-sur-Marne, easily reached via the RER A. Old radio and television documents are made available to the public for a journey through time, with free admission on 19 and 20 September.
At the Grand Rex, Paris’s most iconic cinema and the largest screening room in Europe, an immersive backstage tour lets visitors step into the shoes of a director, a projectionist or an actor. The visit is open both days from 10am to 7pm, and is equally suited to film enthusiasts and casual visitors alike.
Finally, the RATP is putting on several events centred on the Paris Métro: network secrets, a driving simulator, a ride on a vintage bus, a photocall inside a 1930s vehicle and a range of guided tours. These experiences offer a fresh look at a mode of transport that is all too often endured rather than enjoyed.
How to make the most of the 2026 Journées du patrimoine in Paris
Some visits require a little extra planning. The Musée des Moulages is strictly not recommended for children under 12, and the nocturnal tour of the Catacombs takes place at a set time on Saturday evening. For the PSG Campus and the flight simulation at Roissy, activities are also concentrated within specific time slots.
Other venues, such as the INA, offer free admission across both days, giving you more flexibility when organising your weekend. All in all, the Journées du patrimoine 2026 in Paris paint a rare panorama of the city, from the depths of the capital to the runways of a major international airport, by way of artisan workshops and the archives of France’s collective memory.
