European Heritage Days 2020 at the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs
Although this has been an extraordinary year, the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs will continue taking part in the tradition of European Heritage Days.
On this 37th edition, with the theme of “Heritage and Education”, you can enjoy a virtual tour of the Quai d’Orsay and the Convention site.
On Saturday, in small, socially distant, groups, you can visit the diplomatic archives in Nantes and on Sunday, those in La Courneuve. To make sure everyone enjoys their tour, pre-registration is essential.
So whether online or in person, the European Heritage Days are still a great opportunity to “learn for life” and get a sneak peek behind the scenes at the Foreign Ministry!
Digital open days
A behind-the-scenes video
Did you know that the Quai d’Orsay was decorated by the expert craftspeople from the Palais Garnier opera house? That the building on rue de la Convention was once the French National Print? With our video directors, you can see the Foreign Ministry’s locations like you’ve never seen them before!
For younger visitors, we have a game where you play the hero
In the interactive treasure hunt “Mystery at the Quai d’Orsay”, you have to help the ghost of the Quai d’Orsay, who is being kept prisoner with a magic spell. To help this unlucky phantom, you decide where he searches, floating from room to room, from the Queen’s Bathroom to the Clock Room, from the Minister’s office to the kitchens, while collecting clues to break the spell.
Discovering French schools
With the Agency for French Education Abroad (AEFE), the agency of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs which manages the network of 535 schools you are invited to view the architectural marvels of French schools abroad.
Guided tours and exhibitions at the diplomatic archives
Nantes site - Saturday, 19 September 2020, from 1:45 to 6 p.m.
Free entry upon presentation of a valid ID. Masks mandatory.
Registration mandatory for guided tours and readings, until 18 September, by e-mail (archives.cadn[at]diplomatie.gouv.fr) or by telephone (+33 (0)2 51 77 24 59)
Guided tours (1 hour)
Guided tours of the reading room, restoration and digitization workshops and repositories.
Tours at 1:45 and 4:30 p.m.
Exhibition: “Sources for the history of the world: holdings and collections at the Diplomatic Archives Centre”
Self-guided tour from 1:45 to 6 p.m., subject to capacity at the centre
Readings by actors (30 mins)
Readings around the exhibition space by actors from the Compagnie de l’Écume
Sessions at 3 and 4 p.m.
La Courneuve site - Sunday, 20 September 2020, from 1 to 5 p.m.
Free entry upon presentation of a valid ID. Masks mandatory.
For guided tours, register online by 14 September Seine-Saint-Denis Tourism Committee or by e-mail (lecture.archives[at]diplomatie.gouv.fr)
“World Heritage” self-guided tour with a family quiz
website, original documents representing the collections and archives of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.
Self-guided tours from 1 to 5 p.m. (Quiz provided at the entrance)
Guided tours (45 mins)
Tours of the reading rooms, restoration and digitization workshops and repositories
Tours at 1, 2:30 and 4 p.m.
Geographical stand
Learn about countries through geographical maps
Self-guided tour from 1 to 5 p.m.
Find out more about the buildings and the Heritage of the Ministry