Heritage Days in Yonne
Open doors to the heritage of Yonne every third weekend of September
About Heritage Days Yonne
Heritage Days in Yonne
Every third weekend of September, the European Heritage Days transform Yonne into a vast open-air museum. Initiated nationally in 1984 by Jack Lang, Minister of Culture, and now coordinated at the European level, these days allow hundreds of sites usually closed or paying to open their doors free of charge to the general public.
Exceptional Heritage to Discover
Yonne is one of the richest departments in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté in terms of historical and architectural heritage. The Heritage Days take on a special dimension here by providing access to usually little-accessible gems:
- The Basilica of Vézelay, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with its exceptional Romanesque tympanums
- The Saint-Étienne Cathedral of Auxerre and its Carolingian crypts
- The Saint-Étienne Cathedral of Sens, the first Gothic cathedral in France
- The Abbey of Pontigny, a former 12th-century Cistercian abbey
- The Departmental Archives of Yonne and their unique collections
- Numerous castles, manors, and private historical residences
- Romanesque churches of Puisaye, Tonnerrois, and Auxerrois
A Theme Renewed Each Year
Each edition is placed under a national theme, adapted locally by the heritage stakeholders of Yonne. Recent years have highlighted architectural heritage, archaeological sites, museum collections, and artisanal know-how. The 2025 theme, focused on architectural heritage, allowed for the exploration of emblematic and little-known buildings throughout the department.
Activities for All Audiences
The Heritage Days in Yonne offer a range of activities suitable for all ages and knowledge levels:
- Guided tours by historians, architects, and local enthusiasts
- Fun workshops and detective games for children and families
- Conferences and round tables on local heritage
- Temporary exhibitions and collection presentations
- Concerts in heritage locations
- Screenings of documentary films
The Departmental Archives of Yonne
The Departmental Archives actively participate in the Heritage Days. During the 2025 edition, they offered Lego and heritage workshops, free tours of the Prison Tower, and an exhibition on the architectural heritage of Yonne. A rich program that illustrates the vitality of the heritage policy of the Department of Yonne.
Heritage Days Yonne — edition 2026
The European Heritage Days 2026 in Yonne (department 89) will take place on September 19 and 20. For this 43rd national edition, the Ministry of Culture has chosen a dual theme: architectural heritage and photography heritage, on the occasion of the bicentenary of photography. Hundreds of sites throughout the department will open their doors for free for this major heritage event.
Heritage Days 2026 in Yonne
The European Heritage Days 2026 in Yonne will be held on September 19 and 20, 2026. For the 43rd national edition of this unmissable event, heritage sites throughout the department will welcome visitors and the curious in an atmosphere of celebration and discovery. An opening for schoolchildren is also offered on Friday, September 18.
The 2026 Theme
The Ministry of Culture has chosen a dual national theme for 2026: architectural heritage and photography heritage, the latter celebrating the bicentenary of photography. At the European level, the edition is themed "Heritage in Danger: Revive, Resist, Reimagine". These themes will be explored locally through a rich program offered by the communes, museums, associations, and private owners of Yonne.
Throughout the Department
Many communes in Yonne are participating in the 2026 edition: Auxerre, Avallon, Sens, Charny-Orée-de-Puisaye, Cruzy-le-Châtel, Druyes-les-Belles-Fontaines, Escolives-Sainte-Camille, Héry, and Treigny-Perreuse-Sainte-Colombe. Abbeys, castles, cathedrals, museums, and archaeological sites will participate in this great free heritage weekend, with guided tours, exhibitions, commented walks, and musical entertainment.
The detailed site-by-site program will be published starting in summer 2026 on journeesdupatrimoine.culture.gouv.fr and tourisme-yonne.com.
Highlights Heritage Days Yonne 2026
- Dates: September 19 and 20, 2026 (43rd national edition)
- Friday, September 18: opening dedicated to schoolchildren
- 2026 Theme: architectural heritage and photography heritage (bicentenary of photography)
- Hundreds of sites open for free throughout Yonne
- Detailed program available from summer 2026
Prices Heritage Days Yonne 2026
Practical information — Heritage Days Yonne
Practical Information
Dates
Every third weekend of September (Saturday and Sunday).
- 2025: September 20 and 21
- 2026: September 19 and 20 (43rd edition; opening dedicated to schoolchildren on Friday, September 18)
2026 Theme
Double national theme: architectural heritage and photographic heritage (bicentenary of photography). European theme: "heritage in danger: revive, resist, reimagine".
Access and Program
- National program on journeesdupatrimoine.culture.gouv.fr
- Local program on the Yonne Departmental Council website: yonne.fr
- Program for Auxerre and Yonne: 89.agendaculturel.fr
- Yonne Tourism: tourisme-yonne.com
Prices
The vast majority of sites and activities offer free access during the Heritage Days.
Contact
Ministère de la Culture: journeesdupatrimoine.culture.gouv.fr — DRAC Bourgogne-Franche-Comté: 03 80 68 50 70.
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Where does it take place — Heritage Days Yonne
Sites patrimoniaux de tout le département de l'Yonne
Hôtel du Département, 89000 Auxerre