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European Heritage Days

2022 European Heritage Days: discovering professions and heritage at the Quai d’Orsay (16, 17 and 18 September 2022)

The 39th European Heritage Days will take place on 16, 17 and 18 September 2022. This year’s theme is sustainable heritage. Just like every year, the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs will open the doors to four of its sites: the Hôtel de la Ministre (Quai d’Orsay) in Paris, the Diplomatic Archives at La Courneuve (Seine-Saint-Denis), the gardens of the Château de La Celle-Saint-Cloud (Yvelines) and the Nantes Diplomatic Archives Centre (Loire-Atlantique).

During these days, the public can learn about the work of Ministry officials, including those from the Crisis and Support Centre, cartographers and Diplomatic Archives curators. French sign-language (LSF) tours will also be available at the Quai d’Orsay.

Hôtel de la Ministre, Quai d’Orsay

Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 September 2022
Entrance: 37, Quai d’Orsay, Paris - free entry upon reservation based on availability

To avoid long waiting times, the Ministry has set up an online reservation system. Visitors simply choose an arrival time and register with their name. You will then receive a confirmation email with an invitation to be shown upon entry.

Important: tickets are personal and proof of identity will be required. Please ensure you register using the name on your ID.

Events:

Introduction to the professions and roles of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs
Information booth for Travellers’ Advice, the Ariane service and France’s humanitarian action
Presentation of diplomatic archives and meeting with curators
Listen to Sources Diplomatiques, the podcast on French foreign policy
Exhibition on the Ministry’s eco-friendly commitments
Area dedicated to feminist foreign policy
Reconstruction of a State dinner table and display of silverware
Demonstration of art restoration
Musical entertainment by the Republican Guard

Register for a tour of the Hôtel de la Ministre Accessibility

Our heritage should be open to everyone, so the Hôtel de la Ministre will be fully accessible to people with reduced mobility. Guided tours are also available in French sign language:

Saturday, 17 September at 10.30 a.m.
Saturday, 17 September at 11.30 a.m.
Sunday, 18 September at 10.30 a.m.
Sunday, 18 September at 11.30 a.m.

La Courneuve, Diplomatic Archives site

Friday, 16 and Sunday, 18 September, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m
3 rue Suzanne Masson - 93120 La Courneuve (Seine-Saint-Denis)

Events:
Friday, 16 September, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Presentation of the “Les #Médias C’est Nous” project by young people from La Courneuve who travelled to the United Nations in New York in partnership with the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), attended by Gilles Poux, Mayor of La Courneuve, and by a representative of UNAOC in France.

Sunday, 18 September, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Guided tours of the exhibition “Diplomaties en guerre. 1870-1871 au prisme des Archives diplomatiques”;
Behind-the-scenes tours of the Diplomatic Archives.
Email: archives.lecture at diplomatie.gouv.fr

Park and kitchen garden of the Château de La Celle Saint-Cloud

Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 September, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Entrance: Avenue Mesureur, La Celle-Saint-Cloud (Yvelines).

The history of the Château de La Celle Saint-Cloud has been built over the years by its many owners. Visitors can explore the 25 hectares of the landscaped parklands, look around the permaculture kitchen garden and meet the resident beekeeper.

Nantes, Diplomatic Archives site

Saturday, 17 September, 1.45 p.m. - 5.30 p.m. and Sunday, 18 September, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Entrance: 17, rue du Casterneau, (Loire-Atlantique)

The Nantes Diplomatic Archives Centre houses some 45 kilometres of archives retrieved from French Embassies and consulates all over the world, from the 16th to the 21st century. It represents a unique living heritage, documenting major international issues.

Events
Saturday, 17 September:

Readings of diplomatic documents on important events in the history of the 20th century, by thespians from the Compagnie de l’Écume (3 p.m. and 4 p.m.);
One-hour guided tours (1.45 p.m., 3.30 p.m., and 4.30 p.m.).

Sunday, 18 September:

One-hour guided tours (10 a.m. and 11 a.m.).