On the weekend of September 20 and 21, 2025, on the occasion of the 42ᵉ edition of the European Heritage Days (JEP), placed under the theme of “Architectural Heritage”, many places of power open their doors to the public. Like every year, the Palais de l’Elysée, the National Assembly, the Senate and several ministries are among the most frequented sites.
The Palais de l’Elysée offers the visit of several emblematic rooms, including the president’s office, the golden show, the village hall and the honor courtyard. A photographic exhibition entitled “Regards sur l’Elysée”, bringing together nine photojournalists, accompanies the route. Two immersive experiences, one on the parade of July 14, the other on the evolution of the interiors of the palace, complete the visit, alongside presentations devoted to table arts, presidential vehicles and the Second World War. All reservations are complete. But the Élysée house is open for the first time and without reservation, allowing you to discover the architectural history of the Hôtel d’Évreux, major pieces such as the office and diplomatic gifts. A coffee offers pastries and tastings under the direction of the chief of the kitchens of the Élysée.
The Hôtel de Matignon also opens its doors to allow visitors to discover the Honor Court, the Prime Minister’s office and the Salons of the ground floor. Reservations, compulsory, are also complete.
Several ministries participate in the demonstration. The Ministry of the Interior, installed at the Beauvau Hotel, highlights exhibitions and animations on secularism, the role of the prefect and the ministry trades, supplemented by a concert of the Republican Guard in the gardens. The Ministry of Labor, Health and Solidarity offers, only on Saturday, visit its Art Deco building, with stained glass by Jacques Gruber and sculptures by Jean and Joël Martel. The Ministry of Economy and Finance presents its architectural and artistic heritage, including works by Pierre Soulages and César. The Ministries of Justice, Europe and Foreign Affairs and Overseas also open their doors, with exhibitions and presentations on their missions.
The Senate and the National Assembly take up programs similar to those of previous years. The Palais du Luxembourg and Petit Luxembourg are open, offering the hemicycle, the library painted by Delacroix, the conference room, the Senate president and the greenhouses with their fruit and orchid collections offered as part of workshops. In the National Assembly, the public can discover the hemicycle, the Delacroix fair, the Salle des Quatre-Colonnes, the restored library as well as the Lassay hotel, residence of the president of the Assembly.
In the Paris Court of Appeal, certain courts and the Paris police headquarters also participate in the JEP. The Court of Appeal organizes a conference on the theme of JEPs, visits, reconstructions and a screening of the documentary “The mysteries of the disappeared palace” on Saturday, while the police headquarters and its museum highlight their historic collections, conferences on the scientific police and reconstructions of surveys.
In the region, several prefectures exceptionally open their doors, such as those of Toulouse or Martinique. In Strasbourg, the European Parliament emphasizes the Louise Weiss building, with visits organized as part of the “Ideal Libraries” literary festival, an exhibition of contemporary art and meetings with the architect and building management staff.
Finally, other national institutions will be accessible, such as the Banque de France, the Council of State, the Constitutional Council, the Economic, Social and Environmental Council and the Court of Auditors.
