Natural sites across France will be open for special visits during the European Heritage Days on Saturday, 19 and Sunday, 20 September 2026. This annual event aims to highlight both cultural and natural heritage, offering the public access to unique locations that might otherwise be closed to the public. This year, the focus includes rivers, forests, wetlands, coasts, and mountains, with hundreds of nature-related visits planned as part of nearly 30,000 events taking place nationwide. The League for the Protection of Birds (LPO), a key environmental organization in France, is organizing guided visits to several important natural sites. These include the Vigueirat marshes reserve in the Bouches-du-Rhône region, the royal saltworks of Arc-et-Senans in the Doubs, and the tip of Aiguillon in Vendée. Other destinations include a hidden bird sanctuary within the royal fortress of Chinon in Indre-et-Loire and the Gardiole massif in the Hérault. Allain Bougrain-Dubourg, president of the LPO, emphasized that "our natural heritage is as precious as our cultural heritage." Other environmental groups, such as France Nature Environnement (FNE), are also participating, offering guided tours focused on wildlife and plant life. These include the Dives marshes in Normandy and the Lake Bourget observatory in Savoie. Local institutions and authorities are contributing as well, with visits planned at the Thau pond in the Hérault and at Rochefoucauld Park in the Aube. These events aim to raise awareness of the importance of preserving natural environments and the biodiversity they support. The 2026 European Heritage Days are themed "Heritage in Peril: Revive, Resist, Reimagine," highlighting the challenges that natural and cultural sites face. Minister of Culture Catherine Pégard warned that climate change, the passage of time, and even forgetfulness can threaten the legacy left by previous generations. She urged people to "push open doors" and "look up" to appreciate and protect these sites. Allain Bougrain-Dubourg added that natural landscapes, such as the meandering flow of water, ancient forests, and the flight of swallows, define the common French landscape. As biodiversity declines, celebrating natural heritage becomes a way to recognize its value and the responsibility to preserve it for future generations.