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European Heritage Days 2025: History, Theme, and Must-See Events for Genealogy Enthusiasts.
©️Clément Barbé - Ministère de la Culture
Every year in September, the European Heritage Days offer an iconic cultural event in France and Europe.
In 2025, this 42nd edition, themed around architectural heritage, promises many visits and activities across the country. They will take place on the weekend of September 19, 20, and 21, 2025.
But what is the origin of this event and why does it hold particular interest for genealogists?
Created in 1984 at the initiative of Jack Lang, then Minister of Culture, the first open days in historic monuments aimed to introduce the general public to heritage often inaccessible throughout the year, from architecture to works of art. As early as 1985, wishing to extend this initiative, Jack Lang proposed to the Council of Europe to transform this day into a European event. This is how, in 1991, the European Heritage Days were officially established, now bringing together more than 50 countries.
Originating from France, this event has quickly become one of the largest international cultural gatherings, offering free open days in thousands of historical, civil, religious, industrial, or rural locations.
Each year, a specific theme highlights an aspect of heritage; in 2025, with a strong focus on architecture.
Beyond buildings and monuments, Heritage Days offer a unique opportunity for genealogists and family history enthusiasts to discover another type of heritage: archives. Departmental and municipal archive visits, conferences, workshops, and exhibitions around historical documents provide access to the raw material of genealogy and help better understand the past:
Backstage visits to archives usually closed to the public all year, to see how civil records, parish registers, old photos, and postcards are preserved and restored.
Workshops for beginners and advanced, where it is possible to learn how to use archival records to trace your family history.
Thematic exhibitions presenting archival documents related to historical events, famous families, or local life.
Meetings with archivists and volunteers from genealogy associations, who share advice and resources.
Since genealogy relies on collecting and analyzing rare and often fragile documents, these Days offer privileged access, valuable explanations, and immersion in a world that makes the work of ancestor researchers concrete.
For enthusiasts, this is the opportunity to:
Learn or improve your research methods through workshops and expert advice.
Discover the written and audiovisual heritage of a region, which complements the family oral history.
Understand the historical and architectural context of your ancestors by visiting places related to their lives and times.
Exchange with other enthusiasts during activities, thus enriching your own genealogical quest.
To best prepare for your visit during the European Heritage Days 2025, the full program is available online on the official website: https://journeesdupatrimoine.culture.gouv.fr.
Thanks to a search engine, you just need to select your region, department, or even your city to discover the events, guided tours, exhibitions, and workshops offered near you.
The website also allows you to filter by theme or audience, and regularly offers news as well as features on remarkable sites open especially for this occasion.
This portal is the most reliable and comprehensive source to organize your cultural weekend around architectural heritage, the theme of the 2025 edition.
You can also refer to the websites of the departmental archives to discover the open doors program for the weekend.
The European Heritage Days are not just a celebration of stones and monuments, but also a wonderful invitation to delve into the heart of collective and family memory. Whether with family, friends, or alone, these two days are an opportunity not to be missed to cross local history, art, and personal stories...