European Heritage Days in Mende

A weekend dedicated to heritage

Every year, on the third weekend of September, Mende participates in the European Heritage Days, a national event organized by the Ministry of Culture. For two days, residents and visitors are invited to discover or rediscover the exceptional heritage of the Lozère prefecture thanks to a varied and entirely free program.

Places open to the public

The Heritage Days are an opportunity to open the doors of places usually closed to the public or to revisit the great monuments of the city:

• Musée du Gévaudan: free admission from 10 am to 6 pm with thematic tours of the archaeological, fine arts, and ethnographic collections
• Notre-Dame-et-Saint-Privat Cathedral: guided tours of this Gothic building, an emblem of the city
• Departmental Archives of Lozère: exceptional tours of the reserves and the future conservation annex, by reservation
• Chapelle des Pénitents and other historical religious buildings
• Town Hall and heritage administrative buildings

Guided tours and conferences

Thematic guided tours are offered throughout the weekend, focusing on the city's history, architecture, religious heritage, and know-how. Conferences and meetings with heritage specialists complete the program.

An event accessible to all

All tours and activities are free, with some guided tours requiring prior reservation due to limited capacity. The Heritage Days in Mende are aimed at all audiences, from history enthusiasts to families wishing to discover their city in a different way.

Mende, a city of heritage

Prefecture of Lozère, Mende has remarkable architectural heritage: its 14th-century Gothic cathedral, its medieval streets, its private mansions, its Notre-Dame bridge, and its ancient fountains bear witness to a rich history that is revealed during these exceptional days.