The Museum of Prehistory of Île-de-France, built in 1979 in the heart of a forest clearing, invites visitors to discover its architecture. Designed by architect Roland Simounet, the building interacts with the terrain's contours, creating unique framings between the interior and the surrounding forest. Recognized as a masterpiece of French "second modernity" and listed as a Historic Monument, the museum resonates with archaic forms evoking shelters and excavated spaces.
For the National Architecture Days, the institution is offering free entry on Saturday, October 17th, and Sunday, October 18th. A dedicated visitor application focusing on the museum's architecture is also available for download on smartphones.
Guided tours will be led by Hugo Trutt, a guide-lecturer specializing in 20th-century architecture. These tours will highlight the singular dialogue between the museum's architecture, the forest, and long temporalities.
The opening hours for the weekend are as follows: Saturday, October 17th, from 2 PM to 5:30 PM, and Sunday, October 18th, from 10 AM to 12:30 PM and from 2 PM to 5:30 PM. The guided tour will take place on Saturday at 3 PM.
This event is part of the 11th edition of the National Architecture Days, taking place from October 15th to 18th, 2026. Organized by the Ministry of Culture, these days aim to familiarize the public with the challenges of architecture and provide keys to understanding this art form that shapes our territories.
