European Heritage Days 2026: A Family Outing

On the Côte d’Azur, the European Heritage Days invite families to discover hidden treasures, combining heritage, culture and nature.

• In Antibes, the Picasso Museum is hosting ‘Picasso strikes a pose!’ for children aged 3½ to 5. Using photographs by Michel Sima showing Picasso at work, children get to see the artist in a new light before taking part in a cyanotype workshop.
• In Cannes, head to Sainte-Marguerite Island and the Musée du Masque de fer et du Fort Royal for a guided tour of the Muslim cemetery. A place of remembrance linked to the history of Algerian deportees in the 19th century, it is well worth a visit to better understand and pass on this fragile heritage.
• In Cagnes-sur-Mer, the Château-musée Grimaldi invites families to design their own museum with the ‘My Mini-Museum’ workshop. After the tour, young and old alike discover how a collection is built up and how objects can tell a story.
• In Villefranche-sur-Mer, head to Port Royal de la Darse to discover the rope-making machine. Demonstrations will help you understand how plant fibres were once twisted to make marine ropes.

Next stop: Nice, where the European Heritage Days are also a family-friendly experience:

• At the Palace of the Sardinian Kings, children can step into the shoes of young conservators with ‘Restore the Seals and Parchments!’, a fun activity designed to introduce them to conservation techniques. They can also design their own postcard using old photographs from the Departmental Archives’ collection.
• At the Grotte du Lazaret, a reconstructed excavation site turns children into apprentice archaeologists. Meticulous attention to detail, patience and keen observation are key to discovering the methods used in the field.
• At the Departmental Museum of Asian Arts, it’s time for the spectacular kumadori make-up! Inspired by Japanese kabuki theatre, its colours and patterns reveal the characters’ personalities. Everyone can choose their own style before striking a pose for a souvenir photo.
• At the Heritage Centre – Le Sénat, the ‘Heritage in Danger’ workshop raises awareness amongst children aged 7 and over about the fragility of our heritage. Observation, discussion and artistic activities encourage them to reflect on what we choose to preserve and to take part in a collective creative project.

On the outskirts of the Principality, the European Heritage Days invite families to discover hilltop villages, architecture and military heritage:

• In Cap-d’Ail, Villa Les Camélias is hosting a creative workshop entitled ‘The Architecture of Belle Époque Villas’. Suitable for children aged 8 and over, the workshop allows young and old alike to draw inspiration from these iconic residences and gain a fresh perspective on the Riviera’s architectural heritage.
• In Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, ‘Antoine & Cléopâtre’ transforms the medieval village into an open-air theatre. This musical and theatrical tour blends Shakespeare, baroque music and mythological characters during an immersive walk up to the castle.
• In Èze, the Fort de la Revère is opening its doors for a special occasion. Perched in the Parc de la Grande Corniche, this military fortification, built between 1882 and 1885, is revealed during guided tours, offering a blend of history and panoramic views of the Mediterranean.