Heritage Days 2025

On the occasion of the 2025 European Heritage Days, Mines Paris – PSL opens the doors of its historic building, the Hôtel de Vendôme, a jewel from the beginning of the 18th century. This visit allows the public to discover an exceptional heritage: its library, its museum of mineralogy, its garden, but also the main current orientations of the School. This 2025 edition offers a free and open course. Ranked among the oldest engineering schools in France, Mines Paris – PSL combines historical heritage and cutting-edge scientific research, inscribing its history in the continuity of a living heritage gesture: that of a science at the service of society.

Cutting-edge research, at the service of current issues

Visitors will discover how the school’s heritage resonates with today’s major scientific challenges: ecological transition, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, mineral resources, health… A research with double impact, nourished by the constant dialogue between science and industry. Throughout the course, mediation panels will highlight the contemporary challenges faced by Mines Paris – PSL. The scientific excellence of the School is thus anchored in the continuity of its history, at the very heart of the heritage site of the Hôtel de Vendôme.

The Hôtel de Vendôme

The school has been located since 1815 in the Hôtel de Vendôme, dating from the very beginning of the 18th century and which was enlarged in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Founded in 1783 by Louis XVI on the advice of Balthazar Sage, a French chemist and mineralogist, it responded to the growing needs of the mining industry, a strategic sector for France. True to this legacy of science serving society, Mines Paris – PSL has adapted and is now training students to meet today’s major challenges. Its heritage building presents these major historical milestones, and today reflects this evolution.

The library

With its glass roof and classified woodwork, the library is one of the hidden gems of the school. In addition to storing rare books, it benefits from a huge digital database. It is now a true aggregator of knowledge from training and research, ensuring the traceability and independence of scientific knowledge produced by the School.

The Museum of Mineralogy

For more than 200 years, the museum’s mineralogical collections have been among the most complete and spectacular in the world. They contain some 100,000 samples, of which 4,000 are displayed: minerals, rocks, meteorites, and precious stones – including gems from the Crown Jewels of France – are exhibited in a gallery bearing an invaluable historical and patrimonial stamp. Anchored in the news, the museum raises awareness of issues related to rare earths and the management of mineral resources.

The school garden

Usually closed to the public, this haven of greenery, located on a privileged location in the heart of the 6th arrondissement and offering views of the rear facade and terrace of the building, as well as a glimpse of the Luxembourg Garden and the Senate greenhouses, will be accessible for a contemplative break within this historic site.

Heritage Days in our PSL University

PSL University participates in the European Heritage Days. On September 20 and 21, 2025, free or guided tours, games, historical experiences, conferences, and workshops await you within the walls of these exceptional buildings, rarely open to the public.

PSL establishments

The PSL University is made up of schools and institutes developing research and cutting-edge creations, foci of creation and artistic emulation. These centuries-old establishments, as well as their museums and libraries, house treasures that are sometimes little known to the public. On the occasion of the JEP, push the doors of PSL to discover the stories, scientific instruments, paintings, statues, drawings, photographs, glass plates, furniture, decorations and manuscripts that await you!

PSL Quiz Path

During the JEP, go in search of the secrets of the buildings of the University by playing the course Quizz PSL: Will you be able to recognize the historical characters depicted on this facade, or find the origin of these strange traces on the ground? Find the QR codes that hide around buildings, scan, observe your environment and answer questions!