European Heritage Days in Haute-Loire
Discover the heritage treasures of Puy-en-Velay and Haute-Loire for an exceptional weekend
About JEP Haute-Loire
The European Heritage Days in Haute-Loire: an unmissable event
Created in 1984 on the initiative of the Ministry of Culture under the name "Open House Days of Historic Monuments," the European Heritage Days have become a major event at national and European level. In Haute-Loire, they offer every year the opportunity to (re)discover a territory of exceptional heritage richness, at the crossroads of Romanesque, Gothic, and volcanic influences.
Le Puy-en-Velay, heritage jewel of Haute-Loire
Starting point of the Way of Saint James of Compostela (Via Podiensis), Le Puy-en-Velay boasts remarkable architectural and historical heritage. The Notre-Dame du Puy Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1998 as part of the Routes of Santiago de Compostela in France, overlooks the city from its volcanic peak. Its 11th-12th century Romanesque cloister, one of the most beautiful Romanesque ensembles in Europe, is exceptionally open for free during the JEP, offering visitors the discovery of its polychrome galleries, the chapter house, and the lower room of the Machicoulis building.
Iconic sites open during the JEP
The Crozatier Museum, located in the Henri Vinay garden, opens its doors for free and unveils its varied collections spread across four galleries: history, fine arts, lace, and science and technology. The permanent exhibition retraces the history of Velay and presents a unique collection of lace from Le Puy, a craft inscribed in intangible cultural heritage.
The Prefecture of Haute-Loire offers exceptional guided tours to discover this official state building, its history, its architecture, its official lounges, and its gardens. The Hôtel-Dieu, a medieval building from the 12th century also inscribed on the UNESCO list, the National Workshop-Conservatory of Lace of Le Puy-en-Velay, and the 16th-century Chapel of the Penitents, a true museum of local paintings, complete this exceptional heritage tour.
Beyond Le Puy-en-Velay: Haute-Loire celebrates
The JEP extend throughout the department: castles, Romanesque churches, chapels, museums, archaeological sites, and historic residences open their doors in many towns. From Brioude and its Saint-Julien Basilica to the character villages of Velay and Brivadois, and La Chaise-Dieu and its abbey, Haute-Loire reveals its hidden treasures through guided tours, organ concerts, exhibitions, and conferences.
Activities for all audiences
True to their mission of cultural democratization, the JEP offer a varied and accessible program for everyone: guided and commented tours by heritage guides from the Pays d'art et d'histoire, educational workshops for families (children's workshops, heritage escape games, treasure hunts), temporary exhibitions, demonstrations of artisanal know-how such as bobbin lace, and live performances. Admission is free in almost all participating sites, in accordance with the founding spirit of this national event.
JEP Haute-Loire — edition 2026
The 43rd edition of the European Heritage Days will take place on Saturday, September 19 and Sunday, September 20, 2026 in Le Puy-en-Velay and throughout Haute-Loire. The Ministry of Culture has chosen two themes for this edition: “Photography Heritage”, on the occasion of 200 years of photography, and “Heritage at Risk: Revive, Resist, Reimagine”, a European theme dedicated to the preservation and transmission of heritage. On Friday, September 18, the “Look Up!” operation will offer privileged access to schoolchildren. As every year, the cathedral, cloister, Crozatier Museum, Hôtel-Dieu, and many heritage sites will open their doors for free.
43rd Edition — Photography Heritage & Heritage at Risk
The European Heritage Days return on September 19 and 20, 2026 in Le Puy-en-Velay and Haute-Loire for their 43rd edition. The Ministry of Culture has chosen two themes for 2026: “Photography Heritage”, which celebrates 200 years of photography in all its forms (postcards, family photographs, illustrated books, exhibitions, magazine press, screens), and “Heritage at Risk: Revive, Resist, Reimagine”, a theme chosen at a European level that highlights the fragility of heritage and the actions necessary to preserve and transmit it to future generations.
“Look Up!” Operation
On Friday, September 18, 2026, as part of the “Look Up!” operation, students and their teachers will benefit from privileged access to heritage sites, invited to take a new look at the architecture and heritage around them.
Expected Program
As every year, the emblematic sites of Le Puy-en-Velay are expected to open their doors for free:
- Notre-Dame Cathedral and Romanesque cloister: free visit of the cloister, the chapter house, and the lower Mâchicoulis room
- Crozatier Museum: free access to permanent collections and temporary exhibitions
- Préfecture of Haute-Loire: guided tours of the official lounges and gardens
- Hôtel-Dieu: discovery of this medieval building listed by UNESCO
- National Lace Workshop-Conservatory of Le Puy-en-Velay: demonstrations and discovery of Le Puy lace craftsmanship
The full program and schedules will be communicated in summer 2026 on the website of the Le Puy-en-Velay Tourist Office and on the national website of the Ministry of Culture (journeesdupatrimoine.culture.gouv.fr).
Highlights JEP Haute-Loire 2026
- Dates: Saturday, September 19 and Sunday, September 20, 2026
- National Themes 2026: “Photography Heritage” & “Heritage at Risk: Revive, Resist, Reimagine”
- Look Up!: Friday, September 18 (schoolchildren)
- 43rd edition of the European Heritage Days
- Free entry to almost all sites
- Detailed program for Le Puy-en-Velay to be announced in summer 2026
Prices JEP Haute-Loire 2026
Practical information — JEP Haute-Loire
Practical Information
Dates
The European Heritage Days take place every year on the third weekend of September (Saturday and Sunday). The preceding Friday, the "Levez les yeux !" operation is reserved for schoolchildren, offering students privileged access to heritage sites.
Access to Le Puy-en-Velay
By car: Le Puy-en-Velay is accessible via the N88 from Saint-Étienne (1h15) and Lyon (2h), or via the A75 then the N102 from Clermont-Ferrand (2h). Free parking available in the city center and on the outskirts of the old town.
By train: Le Puy-en-Velay SNCF station, served from Lyon via Saint-Étienne and from Clermont-Ferrand. The station is a 10-minute walk from the historic center.
By bus: TUDIP urban transport network serving the city center and main sites.
Prices
Free admission to almost all participating sites. Some private locations may offer a voluntary contribution or a reduced rate. The Crozatier Museum is free on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 6 pm. The visit to the cathedral cloister is free on the JEP route.
Usual Hours
Saturday: from 9:30 am to 6 pm depending on the sites.
Sunday: from 9:30 am to 6 pm depending on the sites.
Some sites offer guided tour slots at fixed times (particularly the prefecture at 9 am and 10:30 am). It is advisable to consult the detailed program before your visit.
Welcome points and program
The complete program is available each year on the website of the Tourist Office of Le Puy-en-Velay and on the national website of the European Heritage Days of the Ministry of Culture. Brochures are distributed at the Tourist Office, Place du Clauzel, and at the Crozatier Museum.
Accessibility
Accessibility varies by site. The Crozatier Museum is accessible to people with reduced mobility. The cathedral and cloister have many stairs and specific routes. Inquire with each site for access conditions.
Practical advice
- Wear comfortable shoes for walking through the cobbled streets and stairs of the old town.
- Consult the detailed program online before your visit to plan your route.
- Some guided tours have limited places: arrive early.
- Consider visiting the Lace Workshop-Conservatory to discover this unique know-how.
Contact
Tourist Office of Le Puy-en-Velay: 2 place du Clauzel, 43000 Le Puy-en-Velay
Phone: 04 71 09 38 41
Crozatier Museum - Pays d'art et d'histoire: 04 71 06 62 40
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Where does it take place — JEP Haute-Loire
Centre historique du Puy-en-Velay et sites patrimoniaux de Haute-Loire
2 place du Clauzel, 43000 Le Puy-en-Velay