Behind normally closed doors for one exceptional weekend…
The Département has just published its full programme for the European Heritage Days on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September 2026. Nine major sites will offer free entry and activities, including several places and experiences that are rarely available to the public.
The real standouts are:
- Inside the Agly Dam, Cassagnes: guided visits into the heart of the dam on Saturday at 1pm and 2.30pm. Booking compulsory.
- Heritage Conservation and Restoration Centre, Perpignan: normally closed workshops open on both days, with professionals explaining how the département’s historic objects and church treasures are restored. Hourly visits from 10am–12 noon and 2pm–6pm; booking compulsory.
- Royal Château, Collioure: special night-time visits at 9pm and 9.30pm on Saturday, plus exhibitions and creative activities. Booking compulsory for the evening visits.
- Serrabona Priory: medieval painting and stone-carving workshops, portraits taken with an Afghan box camera, and a candlelit harp concert inside the Romanesque church on Sunday evening.
- Paulilles boat workshop: meet traditional boatbuilders, see historic vessels and try a virtual-reality voyage aboard an ancient merchant ship.
Most organised activities will be in French, but several of the visual, musical and practical experiences should still be enjoyable with limited French. Places are restricted for some events, so early booking is advisable.
Official programme and booking details – Département des Pyrénées-Orientales:
https://www.ledepartement66.fr/agenda/les-journees-europeennes-du-patrimoine/
Full programme PDF:
https://www.ledepartement66.fr/media/2026/08/JEP_BROCHURE_A5_26-FINAL.pdf