European Heritage Days 2025: at the heart of the Viaduc des arts workshops

Septembre 20-21, 2025  Viaduc des arts (1-129 avenue Daumesnil, 75012 Paris)

The European Heritage Days return for their 42nd edition on 20 and 21 September 2025, from 11 am to 6 pm, at the Viaduc des arts, an iconic venue where tradition meets creativity. This year, the theme “architectural heritage” will be celebrated.

For one weekend, the public is invited to: step inside the workshops, meet the artisans who keep the crafts alive, and discover unique skills passed down with passion.

An event born to share heritage

Created in 1984 by the Ministry of Culture under the name “Open Days of Historic Monuments,” these days were designed to make heritage accessible to everyone. In 2000, the event adopted its current name, “European Heritage Days,” highlighting its reach far beyond French borders.

Each year, this event attracts millions of visitors of all ages. Monuments, unusual sites, and cultural spaces open their doors, offering unprecedented access to treasures that are often hidden—because preserving heritage above all means making it known to the widest audience.

In 2025, the Viaduc des arts once again takes part in this initiative by opening its doors and showcasing the artisans who sustain and reinvent the crafts at the heart of Paris.

Discover the full programme

This year, 10 artisans are opening the doors of their workshops for European Heritage Days at the Viaduc des arts:

Atelier du temps passé (3 av. Daumesnil, Paris 12e)
• Explore the behind-the-scenes of art and graphic restoration and conservation, with demonstrations of various techniques on multiple works by the workshop’s restorers.

• Practical info:
➡ Free entry
📆 Saturday 11 am to 6 pm and Sunday 11 am to 6 pm

Au passeur de lumière (5 av. Daumesnil, Paris 12e)
• Presentation of ongoing creation and restoration projects. The different stages will be explained: mock-ups, glass selection, cutting, grisaille painting, leaded glass setting, and soldering.

• Practical info:
➡ Free entry
📆 Saturday 11 am to 6 pm

Wecandoo (23 av. Daumesnil, Paris 12e)
• Open the doors of its beautiful space along Avenue Daumesnil to dive into the world of ceramics and get hands-on in this hub of craftsmanship.

• Practical info:
⚠️ Registration required: https://wecandoo.fr/ateliers/atelier-ceramique-wecandoo
📆 Saturday and Sunday at the times of the workshop you select

Paris-Ateliers (35 av. Daumesnil, Paris 12e)
• Offers curious visitors a chance to discover a rare craft: bobbin lace! Iris Frère, lacemaker and instructor at Paris-Ateliers, will give demonstration sessions. Those who wish can try their hand and learn the first steps of this little-known skill.

An exhibition of works by Agnès Thierry (ceramics and porcelain) will also be displayed in the vault windows.

• Practical info:
➡ Free entry
📆 Saturday 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm

Atelier Hylé (39 av. Daumesnil, Paris 12e)
• Guided tours in small groups for the general public are fully booked, but a few places remain for students interested in learning more about heritage conservation and asking questions about objects treated in the workshop.

• Practical info:
⚠️ Registration required: send an email to atelier.hyle@gmail.com specifying the day, time, and number of participants. Confirmation will be sent by return email.
📆 Saturday 11 am to 6 pm

Laura Puntillo Bottière (67 av. Daumesnil, Paris 12e)
• Watch the assembly of a fitting pair of women’s shoes live, by Laura Puntillo, the first female apprentice of Master Craftsmen in bootmaking in France, passionate about bespoke women’s shoes.

• Practical info:
➡ Free entry
📆 Saturday 11 am to 5 pm and Sunday 10:30 am to 12:30 pm and 2 pm to 4 pm

Ithemba (67 av. Daumesnil, Paris 12e)
• Presentation of a new silk-working technique: silk cocoon lace.

• Practical info:
➡ Free entry
📆 Saturday 11 am to 6 pm and Sunday 11 am to 6 pm

Un Jour dans le Temps (69 av. Daumesnil, Paris 12e)
• The team will welcome you in period costumes, show you their workshop, explain their craft and the specifics of the costumes. For the occasion, organic farmers from Père Bouillon in Sarthe will sell baskets outside the windows from 12 pm. Some surprises are planned, and the draw for their Instagram contest will take place over the weekend.

• Practical info:
➡ Free entry
📆 Saturday 11 am to 6 pm and Sunday 11 am to 6 pm

Le Cadre d'Or (79 av. Daumesnil, Paris 12e)
• Observe the techniques of framers and gilder at the workshop.

• Practical info:
➡ Free entry
📆 Saturday 10 am to 1:30 pm and 3 pm to 7 pm

Atelier C (123 av. Daumesnil, Paris 12e)
• Visit the first concept store entirely dedicated to chocolate and have all your questions answered by master chocolatier Christophe Berthelot-Sampic.

• Practical info:
➡ Free entry
📆 Saturday 11 am to 6 pm and Sunday 11 am to 6 pm

We look forward to welcoming you for these memorable moments!

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