European Heritage Days

Touraine's Heritage Within Everyone's Reach

Every third weekend of September, the European Heritage Days offer the public a unique opportunity to discover or rediscover the exceptional heritage richness of Indre-et-Loire. Created in 1984 on the initiative of the Ministry of Culture, these days expanded to a European level starting in 1991 and have become the largest participatory cultural event in France, with over 12 million visitors annually across the country.

A Department with Exceptional Heritage

Indre-et-Loire boasts a heritage of remarkable density and diversity. The Loire Valley castles — Amboise, Chenonceau, Villandry, Azay-le-Rideau, Langeais, Chinon, Ussé, Clos Lucé — are the most emblematic showcase of the department, but Touraine's heritage extends far beyond. Medieval abbeys (Fontevraud, Marmoutier), Romanesque and Gothic churches, tuffeau houses, troglodyte cellars, remarkable gardens, industrial heritage, and contemporary buildings form an unparalleled heritage landscape.

Hundreds of Sites to Visit

During the weekend, hundreds of sites open their doors throughout the department, many of which are usually closed to the public. The prefecture of Indre-et-Loire exceptionally welcomes visitors for guided tours of its historic salons. Private castles, bourgeois residences, and artisan workshops reveal their hidden treasures. Museums offer themed tours and special activities. Guided tours of the historic districts of Tours, Chinon, Loches, Amboise, and other towns help understand the history and architectural evolution of these cities.

A Rich and Varied Program

The program for the Heritage Days in Indre-et-Loire includes guided tours, conferences, exhibitions, workshops for children, performances, bike tours, and discovery trails. Each edition is built around a unifying national theme — 'Architectural Heritage' in 2025, for example — which allows for a renewed perspective on local heritage. The majority of activities are free or offered at a very reduced price, in line with the event's spirit of openness and cultural democratization.