JEP 2026: visit the historic site of Inalco University

Inalco University is opening the doors of its historic building for European Heritage Days. This 43rd edition focuses on the following themes: ‘Photographic heritage’ and ‘Heritage at risk: revive, resist, reimagine’. The second theme is particularly relevant to this former mansion, built in 1716, which has been home to a succession of residents, ministries and government departments before being allocated to the School of Oriental Languages. Discover the history of this truly unique mansion during the European Heritage Days!
Assembly JEP 2025
From left to right: the roof of the Maison de la Recherche with a view of the weather vane; the mosaics on the floor of the entrance corridor; the ornate ceiling of the grand staircase; the former dining room. © Sophie Lloyd‎

To mark the European Heritage Days, Inalco’s Maison de la recherche will, exceptionally, open its doors to the public, who will be able to discover a variety of heritage treasures and enjoy a self-guided, informative tour tracing unique history of this building, which was renovated in 2019. Several architectural features, including the floor mosaics, the monumental staircase and the mouldings and medallions in the historic salons, have been awarded the “ «&‘Heritage of Regional Interest’ designation from the Île-de-France Region in 2020. Visitors will, in particular, have the opportunity to consult the volumes of the Description of Egypt held at Inalco, a monumental work resulting from Napoleon’s military campaign in Egypt.

Volumes de la Description de l'Egypte
Volumes de la Description de l'Egypte © Sonia Leconte / Inalco‎

Calligraphy workshop run by a student society at Inalco

From 2.00 pm to 3.30 pm, the student society Assila invites you to discover the richness of writing styles through a calligraphy workshop. This workshop will introduce you to the art of Arabic calligraphy, a true living heritage rich in meaning and tradition. It will offer an insight into the linguistic and cultural richness taught at Inalco University!

Free workshop, no registration required, subject to availability.

Someone draws during a calligraphy workshop
Calligraphy workshop at Inalculturelle © Mathious Gomes‎

Speed searching – Meeting with Inalco’s PhD students

Throughout the afternoon, a number of Inalco PhD students, trained as part of the Experimentarium programme, invite you to discover research in a different way. These short, interactive sessions offer opportunities to appreciate the diversity and richness of the research currently being carried out at Inalco.

Since January 2025, Inalco has been part of the Experimentarium network, a national scheme introducing PhD students to science communication. This programme was launched in Burgundy twenty years ago and is now flourishing. It invites young researchers to step outside the academic setting to engage with a variety of audiences and share their scientific approach in a simple, lively and interactive way.

Free event, no registration required, subject to availability.

Ourida Manseri, a young researcher in linguistics, explains her research on the Berber language to a visitor to the European Heritage Days.
Ourida Manseri, a young researcher in linguistics, explains her research on the Berber language to a visitor to the European Heritage Days. © Sonia Leconte / Inalco‎

Practical information

Free entry, subject to high visitor numbers.
Saturday 19 September 2026, 1.00 pm–6.00 pm. Last admission at 5.30 pm.
The building is accessible to people with reduced mobility.

Maison de la recherche – 2, rue de Lille, 75007
Metro lines 1 and 7 - Palais Royal, Musée du Louvre
RER line C – Musée d’Orsay
Bus routes 27, 39, 68, 69, 87, 95 – Pont du Carrousel, Quai Voltaire