Les Journées Européennes du Patrimoine 2026

EUROPEAN HERITAGE DAYS 2026:

SITES OPEN TO VISITORS

The Old Castle
Saturday and Sunday: self-guided tours from 11.00 to 18.00. Guided tours at 11.30 am, 3 pm, 4 pm and 5 pm.

The Grand Phare
Saturday and Sunday: 10 am–12.30 pm and 3 pm–6 pm.

The Rue des Mariés Lighthouse
Saturday and Sunday: 10.00–12.30 and 15.00–18.00.

The Fishing Museum
Saturday and Sunday: 10.00–12.30 and 15.00–18.00.

Saturday at 4.00 pm: the choirs La Collective de l’Ile d’Yeu and Les Rugissantes de Belle-Ile will be singing for the ‘Journées du Matrimoine’ at the foot of the boat Le Corsaire (next to the lifeboat shelter).

Notre-Dame du Port Church, Saint-Sauveur Church, Notre-Dame du Calvaire Chapel, Notre-Dame de La Paix Chapel, La Meule Chapel:
Open for self-guided visits, except during services.

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THEMED TOURS

When the sea digs! The latest in archaeology.
Saturday: 10.30 am, meet at the slipway on Ker Châlon beach; duration 1 hour 45 minutes.
Coastal erosion has led to the discovery of numerous archaeological sites and provided a better understanding of the island’s settlement over time. This seaside walk will be an opportunity to learn more about the emergency archaeological excavations carried out along the island’s coastline.

Discover the island’s history through remarkable graves:
Saturday and Sunday: at 3.00 pm, meet at Square Pierre Turbé (the garden next to the harbour cemetery), duration 1 hour 30 minutes.
Cemeteries bear witness, in their own way, to a country’s history. Their graves help to preserve the memory of events that shaped the lives of the island’s inhabitants or of those who were shipwrecked on its shores.

The Petites Beurtounes, island cows at the heart of the island’s landscapes:
Saturday: at 3 pm, meet at the car park at Belle Maison beach (Pointe du Châtelet side), duration 2 hours
Come and meet Julien and Bénédicte for a unique walk through the heart of their farm, situated within a sensitive natural area.
The Breton Pie Noir cows play a vital role in preserving the island’s landscapes and biodiversity in this area between the Grand Phare and Ker Chauvineau.

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THINGS TO DISCOVER

Tour of the bell tower at Saint-Sauveur Church
Sunday: 10.00–13.00.
Meeting point: in front of the outer door of the sacristy; go up the stairs.

Exploring the Moulin du Calvaire
Saturday and Sunday: at 2.30 pm; duration: 1 hour 15 minutes.
Meeting point: at the entrance to the property, Chemin du Père de Montfort.

The history of the mills at Moulin Maingourd
Saturday and Sunday: at 4.00 pm, duration 1 hour 15 minutes.
Meeting point: at the foot of the mill, 42 Rue du Moulin Maingourd.

Tour of the Océanide, the island’s last wooden pinasse
Saturday and Sunday: 10.00–12.30 and 15.00–18.00.
Meet at Quai Joseph Martin in Port Joinville.

Boat tours, sailors’ stories and music with ‘La Bande à Jojo’.
Tour of the offshore wind farm’s operations and maintenance centre
Saturday: at 10.30 am, 11.30 am, 1.30 pm and 3.30 pm; duration: 45 minutes.
Meeting point: ferry terminal car park. Please note: maximum 20 people per tour.
Behind the walls of the old fish auction hall, the offshore wind farm has taken up residence in part of the building.
Step inside this newly renovated industrial site in the heart of Port-Joinville.

Tour of the heritage orchard
Sunday: from 10.00 am to 12.00 pm.
Meeting point: at the bottom of Rue Saint Hilaire (next to the Saint-Amand grotto).
Do you know which species are endemic to the island? Come and visit the orchard to discover them and gain a better understanding of the challenges involved in their conservation.

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EXHIBITIONS

Temporary exhibition: ‘Firefighters: the story of an island fire station put to the test’
Saturday and Sunday: 10.00–12.30 and 15.00–18.00, Petit Chiron cultural centre.
Guided tour of the exhibition with firefighters present: Saturdays and Sundays at 11.00 and 16.00.

Permanent exhibition: ‘Defending the Island: The History of Pierre-Levée Fort’
Self-guided tour through the fort’s corridors, La Citadelle.

Permanent exhibition ‘Letting the Coast Speak’
Saturday and Sunday: 9.00 am–7.00 pm, self-guided tour, foghorn at Pointe du But.

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