National Architecture Days in France spotlight rehab and modern design, with events from October 15–19, including UNESCO sites and interactive workshops.
National Architecture Days theme
The National Architecture Days, running from October 15 to 18 in the Loire Department and extending to October 19 in the Paris region, focus on the theme "Rehabilitate: Build the Future," emphasizing the role of renovating existing buildings in addressing ecological, social, and urban challenges.Le Corbusier site open to public
In the Loire Department, the Le Corbusier site in Firminy, a UNESCO heritage site built in the 1960s, will be open to the public free of charge from Friday to Sunday. Visitors can explore the Maison de la Culture and the Saint-Pierre church, with guided tours available on Saturday.Guided tours and theatrical experiences
Guided tours of the Maison de la Culture and the Unité d'habitation will be offered on Saturday and Sunday. The latter will include access to restricted areas like the rooftop terrace and parts of the kindergarten on Sunday for a fee of 12 euros. Theatrical visits of the Maison de la Culture will take place on Saturday and Sunday, offering a narrated experience with characters and insights into the building's current occupants.Events in Saint-Étienne and Pélussin
In Saint-Étienne, the École nationale supérieure d'architecture will open its doors on Sunday, and the Pivoine construction site, which aims to expand the school by transforming an old factory, will be accessible. A conference on accommodating new residents and managing land consumption will be held in Pélussin on Friday by Eric Charmes.Activities in the Paris region
The Paris region will host a variety of events, including access to the Quai d'Orsay modernization site in the 7th arrondissement with mandatory reservations. The Maison de l'Architecture in Île-de-France will host the launch of the third volume of the Portraits of Francilian Architects series on Friday.Additional events across the region
In Seine-et-Marne, over thirty events include a Lego and magic sand workshop for designing climate-conscious houses. In the Yvelines, the Palace of Versailles will host several events, while Saint-Germain-en-Laye offers an origami workshop exploring 19th-century construction methods. In Essonne, guided visits will explore local architecture, including the Grand-Bourg castle.Industrial architecture and historical sites
In the Hauts-de-Seine, a drawing walk at the Pavillon des projets of Île Seguin will explore industrial architecture's influence on contemporary design. In Seine-Saint-Denis, the town hall of Bondy will be open all day on Saturday, with a round table on Friday highlighting artists involved in its construction. In Val-de-Marne, the Paris Airport Group will offer guided tours of the Belvedere at Paris-Orly airport, while the Notre-Dame-de-France church and the Museum of Contemporary Art will host visitors.Cultural events in Val-d'Oise
In Val-d'Oise, events include a plaster work conference, a guided tour of Pontoise's residences, and a visit to the Tournesol swimming pool, followed by a screening of La Piscine.
