What if you pushed open doors that are usually closed? 👀
The European Heritage Days are back with their share of castles, museums, historic sites and little gems that you might not necessarily notice during the rest of the year. In France, the event takes place on September 19 and 20, while in Luxembourg, the festivities will be held from October 16 to 18.
This year, the focus is notably on endangered heritage, photography, passing knowledge down and preservation. But don’t worry: there’s no need to come armed with a magnifying glass and monocle. We’ve put together a selection of outings that should make you want to look at our heritage differently 🧐
WHAT TO DO IN METZ DURING THE HERITAGE DAYS?
On September 19 and 20, Metz is throwing open the doors to its heritage. For this 43rd edition, photography and heritage preservation are at the heart of the tours, with a programme inviting visitors to see the city in a different light.
On the programme: guided tours, special openings, workshops, meetings and activities to discover Metz in a different way, from major monuments to unsuspected gems.
And so you don’t spend the entire weekend walking around the cathedral (as magnificent as it may be), here are a few outings not to be missed 👇
GUIDED TOUR OF THE METZ BOTANICAL GARDEN
At the Metz Botanical Garden, we’re discovering a rather special kind of heritage: living heritage 🌱
During this guided tour (free of charge), discover rare plants, protected species and fragile collections, while learning how they are preserved in the face of climate change.
A stroll to get some fresh air, learn a thing or two and remember that heritage can also have leaves 🍃
📅 Sunday, September 20, 2026 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
📍 Metz Botanical Garden, Montigny-lès-Metz
SALON METZ EX-LIBRIS
Head to the Récollets cloister for the second edition of the Salon Metz Ex-Libris, a fair that is sure to make collectors’ and paper lovers’ hearts beat faster. For three days, around thirty booksellers will set up their treasures: old books, manuscripts, comics, posters, photographs, postcards, engravings, records…📖
This edition shines a spotlight on heritage in danger, reminding us that some treasures can also be found between the pages of a book. It is also an opportunity to discover the secrets of bookbinding, restoration and dominoté paper during a workshop dedicated to the book trades (free admission).
📅 From Friday 18 to Sunday 20 September 2026
📍 Récollets cloister, Metz
WHAT TO DO IN THIONVILLE DURING HERITAGE DAYS?
In Thionville and Yutz, discover heritage in a whole new way! On 19 and 20 September, open the doors to the past through guided tours, anecdotes, photographic walks and family investigations 👀
From Yutz’s history to the traces of the Annexation in Thionville, including a hunt for architectural details and a detective-style investigation, there will be plenty of ways to look at the area from a new perspective.
And so you don’t miss a thing, here are a few events to add to your weekend 👇
BOOK FAIR: AUTHORS AT PREISCH CASTLE
On Sunday, September 20, Preisch Castle will swap its old stones for a few beautiful pages with a book fair dedicated to local literature, history and heritage. Several authors will be there to present their works and chat with visitors.
A chance to browse among the books, chat with the authors and leave with a few reading ideas… all in a rather royal setting (free admission) 👑📖
📅 Sunday, September 20, 2026 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
📍 Preisch Castle, Basse-Rentgen
GUIDED TOUR: THE TOUR OF THE GATES IN THIONVILLE
Follow in the footsteps of the former gates and ramparts of Thionville and discover the buildings that have now disappeared. Thanks to restored and colorized period photographs, compare Thionville as it was yesterday with the city today and rediscover it from a whole new perspective 👀📸
A lovely way to see the city differently… and play explorer! Follow the guide and let yourself be surprised, and what’s more, it’s free!
📅 Sunday, September 20, 2026 - Time slots: 9:30–11 a.m., 1:30–3 p.m. and 5–6:30 p.m.
📍 Thionville Tourist Office
WHAT TO DO IN LUXEMBOURG DURING HERITAGE DAYS?
Here we go, we’re crossing the border! 🇱🇺 Off to Luxembourg for the next stop on our heritage tour.
From 16 to 18 October, the European Heritage Days invite you to explore Luxembourg’s heritage around the theme “Heritage at risk: revive, resist, reinvent”. Visits, workshops and unusual discoveries will be on the programme.
And above all, several places that are usually carefully guarded will be opening their doors to you: the Chamber of Deputies, the Grand Ducal Palace, ministries… Enough to discover the country behind the scenes! 👀
Here are a few events taking place during this great weekend 👇
MINETT TREASURES 2026
On 17 October, Minett Treasures returns for a 3rd edition dedicated to industrial heritage. Creative workshops, arts and crafts, and activities to discover the lives of miners and steelworkers while having fun. A chance to step into the shoes of a miner for a day!
And because a hungry explorer is a tired explorer, Schmëdd Brewery and food trucks will be there to provide plenty of energy 😋
📅 Saturday, 17 October 2026 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
📍 Ellergronn, Esch-sur-Alzette (Cockerill Mine Museum)
👧 The recommended minimum age is 4, but younger children are also welcome
🎟️ €5 / child – free for adults
SENSORY IMMERSION AT THE A POSSEN MUSEUM
What if you discovered heritage without using your eyes? At the A Possen Museum, a sensory tour invites you to explore the place differently, blindfolded, using your hearing, touch and sense of smell. An unusual experience to discover the architecture, furniture and objects of the past… as you have never seen them before! 👀
A tour lasting approximately 1 hour, offered in French or Luxembourgish. The activity is open to everyone (children must be accompanied by an adult). Advance booking recommended!
📅 Friday 16 and Saturday 17 October 2026 (several time slots are planned over the two days)
📍 “A Possen” Museum, Bech-Kleinmacher
Want more? 😏 All the events in Luxembourg and the Greater Region are on Supermiro.
So, go ahead: search, browse and find the outing you like! 👀
