Journées du Patrimoine Val-d'Oise

The Journées du Patrimoine Val-d'Oise: two days to explore a territory

The European Heritage Days in Val-d'Oise are one of the most popular cultural events in the department. Every third weekend of September, in accordance with the national calendar coordinated by the Ministry of Culture, hundreds of sites open their doors for free or offer special activities for the general public.

Val-d'Oise has an exceptionally rich heritage, often unknown to the general public. Founded on a territory that was at the heart of medieval and royal Île-de-France, the department's treasures include:

• Castles and manors such as the Château de la Roche-Guyon, the Château d'Écouen (National Museum of the Renaissance), the Château de Méry-sur-Oise, or the Château de Thury-en-Valois
• Abbeys and priories such as the Abbey of Maubuisson in Saint-Ouen-l'Aumône, the Abbey of Royaumont in Asnières-sur-Oise, and the Abbey of Valprofonde
• Museums such as the Departmental Archaeological Museum in Guiry-en-Vexin, the museum of the painter Daubigny in Auvers-sur-Oise, or the Van Gogh House
• Classified natural and landscape sites
• Civil and industrial buildings bearing witness to contemporary history

The national theme adapted locally

Each year, the Heritage Days are organized around a national theme — "Living Heritage", "Heritage of Itineraries, Routes and Networks", "Maritime Heritage", etc. — which each territory adapts to its own specificities. In Val-d'Oise, this annual theme is an opportunity to highlight little-known aspects of local heritage and invite new discoveries.

Guided tours and activities

Beyond simple openings, the Journées du Patrimoine du Val-d'Oise offer numerous activities: guided tours commented by historians and specialists, workshops for children to discover heritage trades, historical reenactments, concerts in heritage settings, and temporary exhibitions.

Free access

In the spirit of the European Heritage Days, all activities offered by participating sites are free or at reduced prices. This free access is a unique opportunity for the inhabitants of Val-d'Oise to discover places that are usually ticketed or closed, and for external visitors to explore a department often overlooked in favor of Paris and its immediate surroundings.