Journées européennes du patrimoine 2026 aux Archives de Paris

Archives de Paris

Come explore the behind-the-scenes of the Archives de Paris as a family, and take part in the many activities on offer For more than 200 years, the Archives de Paris have had the mission of gathering documents produced by the departments of the city of Paris, as well as by the various State services established in the territory of la Seine, then of Paris. How do these documents become archives? What happens between their collection and their consultation in the reading room? What is preserved, how, and why? What secrets does the backstage of the Archives de Paris hold? Throughout the weekend, on the occasion of the Journées européennes du patrimoine, archivists will answer visitors' questions during exceptional guided tours, in spaces usually closed to the public. In 2026, photography celebrates its 200th anniversary. To commemorate this bicentennial, the Archives de Paris present, from 17 September to 23 December 2026, the exhibition Des photographies aux Archives : pour quoi faire ? In public archival records, photographs document or provide evidence, coexisting with paper documents. Of private origin, they are produced for tourist, advertising, or artistic purposes. Discover, through some fifty documents drawn from the Archives' holdings, the various uses of photography from the 19th to the 21st century. On the occasion of the Journées européennes du patrimoine, visitors will be able to take part in a guided discovery of the exhibition throughout the afternoon. This year, the Archives de Paris welcome for an afternoon mlleYo (@mlleyo_publics), a professional Parisian visual artist passionate about drawing and writing. Three 50-minute drawing workshops led by mlleYo are organized by reservation on Saturday: an opportunity for participants of all ages to imagine their own Paris based on reproductions of documents preserved at the Archives! Finally, the Archives de Paris invite children – and their parents – to discover the history of the capital while having fun, through several games led by an archivist. In the style of the game Timeline, young and old must place key events in Parisian history in chronological order using illustrated cards. You can also play sept familles or memory, including one devoted to women, to discover the variety of documents preserved at the Archives. And for the youngest visitors, coloring sheets are also available. New for 2026: parents and children will be able to have their photo taken dressed as archivists! Guided tours: behind the scenes of the Archives Departures every 45 minutes from 1:45 pm to 5:30 pm. Duration: approximately 1 hour 15 minutes, registration on site (20 people/group). Exhibition Des photographies aux Archives : pour quoi faire ? Entrance hall, free access without prior registration from 1:30 pm to 6 pm. Guided discovery of the exhibition throughout the afternoon. Workshop Dessine ton Paris à partir des archives with mlleYo Saturday 19 September, three workshops at 3 pm, 4 pm, and 5 pm. Ages 10 and up. Duration: 50 minutes, 10 people/group. Prior registration required by 17 September by email: DAC-Archives-Valorisation@paris.fr. Games for children Salle Verlaine, free access without prior registration on Saturday and Sunday from 1:30 pm to 6 pm, subject to availability.

Source: Paris Open Data ↗