European Heritage Days: the unmissable cultural event

On 19 and 20 September, the European Heritage Days return for their 43rd edition. Regarded as one of the most eagerly awaited and popular cultural events, Museum TV takes a look back at the history of this celebration and brings you all the information you need to know.

Are you still free at the weekend of 19 and 20 September? We’ve got just the thing for you: European Heritage Days. This year, centred around two themes celebrating photography and heritage conservation, more than 17,000 cultural venues across France will be opening their doors. From museums to religious, military and judicial sites, as well as workshops: young and old alike are invited to discover and celebrate our heritage.

A French initiative

Whilst Heritage Days are now in full swing, their history began 43 years ago, in 1984. Launched by the Ministry of Culture, they were originally known as ‘Open Days for Historic Monuments’. The public took to them almost immediately, and visitor numbers soared.

Originating in France, this celebration gained traction across Europe. At the second conference of European Ministers of Culture, organised by the Council of Europe in Granada (Spain) in 1985, the French minister proposed expanding this initiative. Six years later, the project was brought to fruition by the Council of Europe, with the European Union joining the initiative. The name ‘European Heritage Days’ was then adopted in 2000.

Ranked amongst the world’s leading cultural events, nearly 50 countries take part in the event, all of which are signatories to the Council of Europe’s European Cultural Convention.

On the programme:

This year, across France, several million visitors are expected at cultural venues, according to the Ministry of Culture. On the programme: workshops, guided tours, talks and exhibitions. Several sites are also opening their doors especially for the occasion. The Palais du Rhin in Strasbourg, the Manufacture des Gobelins in Paris, the Château des Ducs de Savoie in Chambéry and the medieval garden of the Basilica of Saint-Denis will all be included on this list.

To find out what’s on in your area and make the most of your local heritage, the full programme is available right here, but please note: whilst many of these sites are open free of charge or at a reduced rate, booking is still compulsory for some of them.

For school groups, a special day has been set aside: Friday 18 September. As part of the ‘Look Up’ programme, launched in 2019 by the Ministry of Culture and National Education, children, teenagers and teachers are invited to explore and wander around cultural venues.

To find out more about cultural events, please visit our website Museum TV.