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Chateaupedia

European Heritage Days 2026: the map of open châteaux, most of them free

Friday 18, Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September 2026

Two days a year, châteaux that never open to visitors unlock their courtyard, chapel or library. Here is every one taking part, on a map, with free entry marked.

Châteaux open
1,845
Tours and events
3,160
Free entry
71 %
Departments
98

Journalists: the press kit, with the figures to quote and the file to download.

The map

Each dot is a château opening its doors. Click to see what is on and how to get there.

Free entryPaid entryLoading the map…

Get told when châteaux near you open

An email when châteaux in your departments announce a tour, an evening opening or one-off access. Never more than one a week.

Your departments

Pick up to three. You can change them at any time.

Not to be missed

Frequently asked questions

How many châteaux open for the European Heritage Days?
We list 1,845, for 3,160 tours and events across 98 departments. The programme fills up until the day before: we re-read it every night from the French Ministry of Culture.
Is it free?
71% of the openings we list are free. The rest charge a reduced or their usual price: each entry says so when the manager has stated it.
Do I need to book?
For a self-guided visit, rarely. For a guided tour or an evening opening, often, and places go within days. Each event links to the official page where booking happens.
When are the 2026 European Heritage Days?
Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September 2026, preceded on Friday 18 by a day reserved for schools. It is the 43rd edition.
Where does this information come from?
From the official programme published by the venues themselves on the French Ministry of Culture’s calendar. We re-read it every night, keep only châteaux, manors and palaces, and link them to our entries where they exist.

Programme published by the venues on the French Ministry of Culture’s calendar, re-read every night. Base map © IGN, Géoplateforme.