Surpassing oneself, taste for effort and discovery of others… Less than a year before the Paris Olympic Games, the 40th edition of the European Heritage Days is based around the values ​​of sport and better living together. An event not to be missed, allowing you to rediscover these places where sports are practiced – sometimes frequented on a daily basis – and thus promote their history and their heritage contribution.

Acrobatics, somersaults and balancing movements without equipment. The performers from the company L’Oubliée take over the roofs and passageways of the Palais Royal to perform Horizon. This show, directed by Raphaëlle Boitel, is thought out down to the smallest detail. The choreography adapts to the specificities of its architecture. Circus apparatus and wooden modules will complete the space to encourage acrobatic possibilities. Spectators will witness this ode to freedom from the main courtyard where the Buren columns stand.

Free entry one hour before each performance. Place Colette, Paris (75001). Friday September 15 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday September 16 at 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Sunday September 17 at 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Free.

We remember its long crossing (2,240 meters) at Mont Saint-Michel, that between the towers of the La Défense district or its connection between the Eiffel Tower and the Palais de Chaillot. The tightrope walker Nathan Paulin will this year walk the nave of the Musée d’Orsay, accompanied on the ground by the acrobats of the XY company. A performance, with sound by Jean-Baptiste Julien, and choreographed by Rachid Ouramdane, director of the Chaillot national theater.

Saturday September 16 and Sunday September 17 at 3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., upon presentation of a museum access ticket. 1 rue de la Légion-d’Honneur, Paris (75007). By reservation. Free.

An emblematic Parisian sports hall with metallic architecture, dating from the end of the 19th century, the gymnasium will host a play based on Horace McCoy’s novel, On Finishing Horses Well. 44 dancers, actors and musicians will try to highlight these competitions organized in the 1930s in the United States, where couples danced for a few dollars until they were exhausted. A black performance staged by Bruno Bouché, ballet director of the Opéra national du Rhin, Clément Hervieu-Léger, member of the Comédie-Française, and Daniel San Pedro, actor and director.

FREE ENTRANCE. Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 at 3:30 p.m. Japy Gymnasium, 2, rue Japy, 75011 Paris. Free.

From the first gallop on its tracks in 1833 to its latest modernizations, the Chantilly racecourse is a monument of equestrian history. The public will discover the secrets of the world of racing by visiting the building’s various facilities (weighing, presentation round, stands, stables). A high-level jockey will talk about the underside of his profession, his physical preparation before competitions and his relationship with horses.

FREE ENTRANCE. Avenue de la Plaine des Aigles, Chantilly (60500). Sunday September 17 from 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Racecourse entry price: 3 euros.

When it was founded in 1923, the Hossegor station aimed to attract Parisian intellectuals. Major projects were carried out under the influence of the regionalist and Art Deco movements in the region. It was necessary to create an emblematic building in 1927 to complete the panorama of Banco-Landes style villas in Hossegor: a games establishment. The Sporting Casino, designed by architects Gomez and Godbarge, was thus born. Boasting a large lounge bar, a baccarat room and a large luxury restaurant, this complex has been classified as a historic monument since 1991. On the occasion of heritage days, the Sporting Casino offers visitors the opportunity to discover its eventful history, from the 1930s to today. A professional boxer will also be present on site to present the Hossegor French boxing club, the last to occupy the premises.

Free visits. Saturday September 16, 2023, from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. 119, avenue Maurice-Martin, Hossegor (40150). More information on 06 21 13 56 66. Free.

Swimming pool with so-called “antique-style” pergola, covered courts and clubhouse. This historic tennis club was founded more than a century ago as part of Franco-American friendship. Former world number 10 Arnaud Clément, captain of the French Davis Cup team from 2012 to 2015, will grace the event with his presence. The champion will exchange a few balls with the children and challenge an adult selected by a draw. Heritage lovers will attend a conference on Art Deco in Reims. Music lovers will be able to discover throughout the evening the group Bande à Part, the singer Virginie Rohart and the DJ Mehdy K’-DJ.

Mandatory reservation . Saturday September 16. 15 rue Lagrive, Reims (51100). 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.: professional exhibition by Arnaud Clément, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.: children will play with Arnaud Clément, 5 p.m.: conference on Art Deco in Reims, 7:30 p.m.: Virginie Rohart, 9:30 p.m.: Bande à Part, 9 p.m. to 11 p.m.: Mehdy K ‘-DJ. Adults who wish to enter the draw, contact evenement@tcreims.com. Price for adults: €20, 14/18 years old: €10, under 14s: free.

Who has never wanted to experience the folklore of the Roaring Twenties for a day? A DJ specializing in the Hot Club Jazz era and a dance association will recreate the atmosphere of the 1920s at the Saint-Georges swimming pool in Rennes. Built in 1925 and classified as a historic monument since 2016, the latter is one of the rare Art Deco style swimming pools still in use today. It will of course be possible to swim there while observing its interior decor dotted with mosaics, created by the Odorico family.

Entry by reservation. Opening on Saturday September 16 from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m., from 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. and from 12 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. 2 rue Gambetta, Rennes (35000). Remember to bring your swimsuit. Free.

The only stadium in France classified as a historic monument opens its doors on the occasion of the exhibition It’s moving in town! Sport and architecture for tomorrow at Saint-Pierre church. Located 20 minutes from Saint-Étienne in the Loire, the site was designed in 1954 in a former quarry by Le Corbusier. The public will stroll outside the building to discover its history, marked by the immense renovation project that took place in 2019.

By registration on 04 77 61 08 72. Saturday September 16 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Stadium ring road, Firminy (42700). Free.

The public’s enthusiasm was such that it was necessary to enlarge the former Prado “gymnasium” twice in order to accommodate more than 3,000 spectators. Theater of the exploits of the Tangos women’s team, this place is a must for basketball fans. The members of Bourges Basket, who will lead the guided tours, will offer an introductory course for the more sporty.

Registration required on the City website or on 02 48 57 81 46. Sunday September 17 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Palais des sports du Prado, rue du Pré-Doulet, Bourges (18000). Bring comfortable sports clothing. Free.

Modules, sliding spaces, ramps and mini-ramps… With a surface area of ​​2,300m2, this immense Breton skatepark was designed based on feedback from the Tokyo Olympic Games (2020). In the company of an architect in charge of the project, the director of the P.L.O Skate Club and the head of the sports department, the public will observe the construction site of the Federal Skateboard Center. The site will officially open its doors in November 2023.

Registration required, contact 02 98 37 57 47 or send an email to christelle.lebot@mairie-plougastel.fr. Saturday September 16 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. 135 Route Santik Beneat, Plougastel-Daoulas (29470). Free.

What little boy has never dreamed of exploring the backstage of a football stadium? The Stade Louis-Dugauguez, located in a small town in Champagne-Ardenne, exceptionally opens its doors to football fans. The heritage service offers to discover the history of the legendary Sedan football club from the beginning of the last century to today.

Limited places. Reservations recommended on 03 24 27 84 85 or by email at patrimoine@ville-sedan.fr. Quai Paul Bert, Sedan (08200). Free.

Equipped with a 50-meter heated Nordic pool and several modern equipment, the Avignon nautical stadium holds the Remarkable Contemporary Architecture Label. The architects André Rémondet and Albert Conil designed this complex between 1963 and 1966. The establishment was renovated from 2010 before reopening its doors in 2019. Groups of around fifteen people will set off to discover the pool, the interior rooms and technical spaces of the building.

Entry by reservation. Friday September 15 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. 13 avenue Pierre de Coubertin, Avignon (84000). Free.

Visitors to Creps Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes will step into the shoes of a high-level athlete for a day. On the program: activities, sports initiations and discovery of the sports facilities intended for the preparation of the Olympic and Paralympic teams.

FREE ENTRANCE. Saturday September 16 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 2 route de Charmeil, Bellerive-Sur-Allier (03700). Sports clothing recommended for practice (clean shoes for indoor activities). Free.

Go in search of the “knight’s sword” buried in the depths. A team of archaeological divers offers, on the occasion of heritage days, an extraordinary diving experience in Castillon-la-Bataille, a small town in Gironde. This fun and enriching experience will bring together young and old.

Free entry from 12 years old. Sunday September 17 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 1 promenade Dubourdieu, Castillon-la-Bataille (33350). Remember to bring your swimsuit. Free.