Matrimoine: Places to See all Year Round
Kimberley Sanson
18 Places to Visit to Honor Women's Heritage
The 2023 edition of the Journées du Matrimoine took place on September 16 and 17, and beyond the events organized during this period, there are various places to visit to honor the heritage and contributions of female artists in France.
What is Journée du Matrimoine?
The Journée du Matrimoine is the female counterpart to the Journée du Patrimoine (Heritage Days). It was established in 2015 by the association HF Île-de-France (https://www.lematrimoine.fr/), which advocates for gender equality in the arts and culture. These days take place annually on the weekend of the third week of September, coinciding with the Heritage Days.
This national event, which is gradually expanding to other European countries, offers an opportunity to explore, through free and temporary events, the work and legacy of women in the artistic and cultural sectors. Whether contemporary or historical, exhibitions, tours, lectures, screenings, and performances during these days highlight the talent of women.
Where Does the Term "Matrimoine" Come From?
The term matrimoine is derived from Old French. It first appeared in its final form in 1408, preceded by the terms matremuine in 1155, and later matremoigne. Originally, this word was mainly used to refer to property inherited from the mother when a couple married. Today, like the term autrice (female author), matrimoine is being revived after having been erased during the masculinization of the French language that occurred from the 17th to the 19th century. (Source).
Female Artists Still Too Invisible
In order to observe the works of women in the most famous museums, one must pay close attention. The Louvre and the Musée d'Orsay have only about thirty and 296 paintings by women, respectively, in their permanent collections.
Among the most iconic artists, the Louvre features works by Anne Vallayer-Coster, Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun, and Hortense Haudebourt-Lescot, while the Musée d'Orsay showcases pieces by Rosa Bonheur, Berthe Morisot, and Camille Claudel. At the Petit Palais, only 0.4% of the total collection is by female artists—200 out of 50,000 works.
The most progressive? The Centre Pompidou, which houses 18.5% of its collection from women artists (primarily contemporary ones), also regularly organizes special exhibitions such as elles@centrepompidou, Elles font l'abstraction, and initiatives like a MOOC titled Elles font l’art.
Similarly, the Musée d'Orsay has partnered with AWARE (Archives of Women Artists, Research and Exhibitions) to promote the work of 40 women who worked in the 19th and 20th centuries, including both famous names and lesser-known artists like Marie Baskirtseff, Louise Catherine Breslau, and Virginie-Demon-Breton.
In other artistic fields as well, the representation of women is progressing but remains very slow. Despite the fact that the majority of art school students are women, only 17% of songwriter-composers were members of SACEM (Society of Authors, Composers, and Publishers of Music) in 2022. In the film industry, there has been only one female director who has won a César, and just three films by female directors have won the Palme d'Or at Cannes. Source.
Places to Visit - Houses
► The House of Colette
The birthplace of the novelist and journalist Colette, this house is located in Saint-Sauveur-en-Puisaye, in the Yonne department, on Rue Colette, of course. Fully open to visitors, the building, constructed in the 19th century and classified as a historical monument, was Colette's home from her birth on January 28, 1873, until she left at the age of 18 due to family debt and the general hostility of the local population.
Obsessed with reclaiming her childhood home, Colette often mentioned it in her literary works. Thanks to one of her readers, François Ducharne, Colette managed to reacquire the house, and it remained in her possession until her death.
Put up for sale in 2006, the house was purchased by the association "La Maison Colette" in September 2011 and opened to the public in May 2016. Today, the house hosts numerous events and exhibitions, including those dedicated to the work of other women throughout history.
The latest exhibition, dedicated to Lise Deharme, was held on September 30. The house also plans to house many archives related to Colette in the recently renovated attic. Many pieces of furniture and objects are also on display, thanks to donations or purchases made by the association.
Also worth visiting is the Colette Museum, located near Colette's house, which was established by her daughter and opened in 1995. The museum features exhibitions and events, as well as a tea and reading room for the more literary-minded visitors.
► Semten Dzong, or the Alexandra David-Néel House
Located in Digne-les-Bains, classified as a historic monument and 20th-century heritage site, as well as a museum of France participating in the National Federation of Writers' Houses and Literary Heritage, Semten Dzong (or the Fortress of Meditation in Tibetan) was purchased in 1928 by adventurer Alexandra David-Néel after her expedition to Tibet (notably, she was the first Western woman to enter its capital, the Forbidden City of Lhasa).
During her stay, she had rooms constructed in a style that combined both European and Tibetan influences, and she lived and worked there until her death in 1969 at over a hundred years old. The house, along with many items she had brought back from her travels, manuscripts, correspondence, and photographs, was bequeathed to the city of Digne-les-Bains.
It has since become a museum to visit, with collections often enriched by the Fondation Alexandra David-Néel. As a side note, one of its most famous visitors was the 14th Dalai Lama, who visited several times between 1982 and 1986.
In the heart of the reconstructed house or in rooms left unchanged, you will find Chinese calligraphy, a room displaying a collection of objects from Japan, Tibet, and China, and a bedroom featuring the desk where the explorer often sat. Some of her books are still placed on the desk.
Outside, you can observe the rose garden and the orchard-garden of approximately 1,300 square meters where Alexandra David-Néel spent a lot of time. Passing through other rooms, you’ll find suitcases and chests paying tribute to the remarkable adventurer who once lived there, as well as libraries filled with books.
In short, everything is present to retrace the life of Alexandra David-Néel, from a 15-minute film about her to a thematic room detailing her last trip to China, aimed at understanding the ideas and vision of the adventurer through written or photographic materials.
It is also possible, if you visit at the right time, to come across a temporary exhibition featuring Asian art objects bequeathed by this extraordinary and pioneering woman at the National Museum of Asian Arts.
► The Moulin de Villeneuve, also known as the Triolet-Aragon House
Built in the 12th century, remodeled in the 18th and 19th centuries, and classified as a historical monument on January 15, 2017, this former water mill is located in Saint-Arnoult-en-Yvelines, on the Rémarde River.
It was converted into a residence in 1904 and later purchased in July 1951 by Louis Aragon and his partner, Elsa Triolet, a significant author overshadowed by her husband's fame. According to Aragon's wishes, the building was transformed into a museum and bequeathed to the state after their deaths. Both are buried on the property, with a tomb inscribed with a phrase by Elsa Triolet from the couple's Oeuvres Romanesques Croisées.
Today, a tape recorder plays Bach's Sarabande, a hymn Aragon wished to be played near his wife's body a few days after her burial. Visitors can explore the building itself, which houses the couple's contemporary art collection, attend performances or conferences, stroll through the sculpture gardens, visit various art exhibition rooms, or linger in the 30,000-volume library, where the books are available for consultation. The house continues to celebrate contemporary artists while preserving the memory of its former owners, particularly through a permanent collection dedicated to the couple.
► The Villa du Mont-Noir, also known as the Marguerite Yourcenar Villa
Located on Mont-Noir in Saint-Jans-Cappel in French Flanders, the Villa du Mont-Noir, more commonly known as the Marguerite Yourcenar Villa, is recognized as a Maison des Illustres. This neo-Norman manor was built in 1930 on the ruins of a former château destroyed during the Great War.
The estate belonged to the family of the author, who lived there from her birth until she was nine years old. In 1997, the Nord department transformed the building into a writing residence for emerging and established European writers. It hosts 27 writers each year, three per month.
The villa also organizes various public events centered around literary creation (poetry, theater, novels, short stories, etc.). Additionally, it has become part of the Network of Writers' Houses and Literary Heritage in Hauts-de-France.
► The Logis de la Vergne
Listed as a historic monument on December 12, 2003, and located in Charente, in the commune of Alloue, the Logis de la Vergne is known for having been the home of Maria Casarès, a French actress of Spanish origin, whose work was perhaps overshadowed by her relationship with the author Albert Camus.
A residence of nobility since the 16th century, it was purchased by the actress, along with her friend André Schlesser, in 1961, and then bequeathed to the commune of Alloue upon Maria's death according to her wishes. Now the site of the annual summer theater festival of the Maison Maria Casarès, it remains a place of exchange for theater actors, whether they are on stage or involved in creative processes.
► Maison de Marie Noël
Located in Auxerre, designated as a Maison des Écrivains in January 2018 and a Maison des Illustres in December 2019, this 18th-century house belonged to the family of poet Marie Noël. She lived there until her death in 1967, residing in an apartment she had adapted within these walls.
Now owned by the Société des Sciences de l'Yonne, the first floor, which was the poet's apartment, remains intact as per her wishes. Among the most notable rooms are the Music Salon and the Bedroom.
Recent renovation work has been carried out both inside and outside, including the development of a green theater in the former garden to host readings, theatrical performances, and concerts.
► Nadia and Lili Boulanger’s Little Houses
Located in Gargenville in the Yvelines, designated as a Maison des Illustres in 2014, these small houses became the property of Raïssa Boulanger in 1926. The mother of the famous Boulanger sisters, she transformed the buildings into a true haven of peace for any creative and composer.
Also known as "Les Maisonnettes," these three buildings hosted the sisters Nadia and Lili Boulanger, allowing them to develop their music alongside their mother's pianist and friend, Raoul Pugno. Lili, who won the Grand Prix de Rome at the age of 19, died prematurely at 24, dictating her final melody, "Pie Jesu," to her sister on her deathbed.
Nadia then embarked on a career in teaching and used the little houses to accommodate her students, including renowned figures like Aaron Copland and Michel Legrand, thereby transforming the buildings into a true temple of musical education visited by many artists such as Paul Valéry and Maurice Gendron. Acquired by the town of Gargenville after Nadia's death in 1998, the site became a museum and a place of remembrance, located on Place Lili Boulanger.
Inside, visitors can see Raoul Pugno’s piano, which the two sisters also practiced on, as well as an auditorium with 65 seats hosting numerous events, particularly musical performances and exhibitions. While the first floor of the main house is closed to the public, other houses, especially the one closer to the road, are open for visits. Inside, visitors can view period furniture from the kitchen and living room, as well as numerous books and other items, including a photo of Nadia Boulanger.
Castles and Forts
► The Château des Milandes, or the Château of Josephine Baker
Located in the Dordogne, in the commune of Castelnaud-la-Chapelle, the Château des Milandes is a Renaissance-style gem dating back to 1489. Listed as a historical monument and also labeled as a Maison des Illustres in 2021, this château was the iconic estate of the artist Josephine Baker from 1937 to 1968.
Baker was forced to leave the château due to severe financial difficulties, despite an international outpouring of support, ranging from Brigitte Bardot to King Hassan II. It was here that she founded the famous Rainbow Tribe and spent many happy years, far from the glitz of Parisian society.
With 200,000 visitors annually, making it the fifth most popular tourist site in the department, the château offers bird of prey shows, as well as tours of the park and the building itself, where visitors can view Baker's stage costumes and living quarters. An audio guide provides more information about Josephine Baker and allows visitors to listen to some of her most famous songs. The garden, designed by Jules Vacherot, is classified as a Périgord Garden, listed as a historical monument.
► The Château de Nohant, or the George Sand House
Classified as a historical monument and Maison des Illustres, the George Sand Estate, also known as the Château de Nohant or simply the George Sand House, is located in Nohant-Vic in the Indre department. This authentic 18th-century château became state property in 1952, two months before the entire building, along with its garden and cemetery, were designated as historical monuments.
Now managed by the Center for National Monuments, the park has also been classified as a "remarkable garden." A true paradise for the author and a source of inspiration, it was here that she hosted many famous friends, such as Honoré de Balzac and Eugène Delacroix. George Sand passed away at the estate and is buried in the family cemetery located within the grounds.
Visitors can freely explore the garden and park, as well as George Sand's house. A unique feature is the permanent puppet exhibition, where the author dressed the puppets, while her son, Maurice Sand, sculpted the heads and painted the sets.
► Fort Sarah Bernhardt Located on Belle-Île-en-Mer
In Brittany, this small military fort served as the vacation residence of the actress Sarah Bernhardt from 1894 to 1922. Since then, the building has gained status as a "Maison des Illustres" and a historic monument. During the actress's time, the place hosted a real menagerie (including chameleons, monkeys, and even a crocodile) as well as prestigious guests who were friends of Sarah Bernhardt.
The site has become a museum following its acquisition by the Conservatoire du Littoral, now managed by the Communauté de Communes de Belle-Île-en-Mer. Much like Joséphine Baker, the transfer of the property was not joyous but a necessity due to financial difficulties, much to the regret of the actress who had wished to be buried facing the sea.
Opened in 2007 and attracting 25,000 visitors annually, the museum features the actress’s clothing, period documents, and photographs. In addition to the fort, which has been adapted to recreate the atmosphere of the time, visitors can explore the Citadel Museum of Belle-Île-en-Mer, which exhibits more personal items belonging to the actress, posters of her performances, and her artistic creations such as paintings and sculptures.
Also open to visitors is the Villa des 5 Parties du Monde, where one can learn more about Sarah Bernhardt's life through an audio tour narrated by actress Fanny Ardant, who plays one of the actress's daughters.
► Château de Cirey, or Émilie du Châtelet’s Residence
Located in Cirey-sur-Blaise in Haute-Marne and classified as a historic monument in 2002, the château is primarily known for two famous occupants: Voltaire, who stayed there for 15 years starting in 1734, invited by the mathematician Émilie du Châtelet following the scandal of the publication of "Lettres Philosophiques," for which the writer faced imprisonment.
Voltaire assisted in restoring and expanding the residence, which at the time was becoming increasingly dilapidated. In addition to his apartments, he set up a scientific cabinet and a door dedicated to both the arts and sciences. He also revitalized the two gardens by adding terraces, orangeries, linden groves, and long avenues.
Built in 1643, the château is open for visits and features significant locations: Voltaire’s small theater, the chapel, the library, and Émilie du Châtelet’s bedroom, along with the usual rooms such as a kitchen, salons, and dining room. The château, still a private property that has been opened to the public, also hosted another writer, Françoise d'Issembourg du Buisson d'Happencourt, known for her "Lettres d'une Péruvienne" published in 1747.
The residence was declared a national asset and sold following the revolution and the execution of the next Duke and Duchess du Châtelet in 1794. Their niece, Diane Adélaïde, fought to have the property returned to her family and gradually succeeded in recovering the entire estate, which saw numerous notable figures, from Marquis de Lafayette to Madame Vigée-Lebrun, the queen Marie Antoinette’s painter.
The château, in its final form, was completed by her nephews after her death, including the construction of the neo-classical chapel and the landscaping of the English-style garden, along with stables, a chicken coop, dovecote, and pigsty. The costs of these works forced the couple to sell the estate afterward.
► Château des Rochers-Sévigné
A Gothic manor from the 15th century, known for having been the residence of the family of the famous Madame de Sévigné since 1410, the author wrote many of her letters here, including 294 out of the 1,120 letters she penned, many of which were addressed to the Countess of Grignan, her daughter.
Located in a large wooded park in Ille-et-Vilaine near Vitré, the château was classified as a historic monument on March 20, 1995, and has been open to the public since 1884. The entrance is through the former orangery, in a garden designed by none other than André Le Nôtre in 1690, the landscape architect of Louis XIV, and restored in 1982.
Inside, visitors can see an exhibition dedicated to the famous letter writer, as well as her portrait and those of her family members, her writing and grooming necessities, which can be found within the château's towers. Also present is a chapel built in 1671. Less historic features include a golf course, a restaurant, and reception rooms.
Museums And Libraries
► The Rosa Bonheur Atelier Museum
Classified as a Maison des Illustres in 2011, recently included in the regional heritage list this year, and benefiting from the Heritage Lottery following its designation as endangered heritage in 2019, the Rosa Bonheur Atelier Museum was established thanks to the initiative of her heir, Anna Klumpke, who decided to open the artist's studio to the public ten years after her death.
Located in the commune of Thomery in Seine-et-Marne, the studio is situated within the Château de By, purchased in 1859 by Rosa Bonheur to provide a serene working environment in nature, surrounded by animals, which she particularly loved to paint until her death in 1899. Designed in a neo-Gothic style by architect Jules Saulnier, the studio was visited by Empress Eugénie, who awarded the painter the Legion of Honor in 1865.
On her desk, the composition of an ode in her honor written by Georges Bizet is still visible today. In the studio, left in its original state, you can find objects formerly owned by the artist, including her sketches, notes, brushes, and even her clothing, such as a hat or boots.
You might even find her cigarette butts! In addition to the studio, temporary exhibitions and festivals have been developed, along with a tea room and guest rooms.
► The Tarot Garden (or Giardino dei Tarocchi) by Niki de Saint Phalle
A French artist and an Italian creation in Tuscany, more precisely in Garavicchio within the village of Pescia Fiorentina. The garden features the themes of the tarot arcana (twenty-two in total) represented through imposing and dreamlike sculptures, sometimes exaggerated and disproportionate.
Started in 1979 and completed in 1993, it was finally opened to the public in 1998. The sculptures, ranging from 12 to 15 meters in height, also serve as homes where Niki de Saint Phalle and her husband stayed; Niki de Saint Phalle lived in the Empress sculpture.
Earthquake-resistant, they are made of concrete with a metal frame (hand-welded! With the help of her husband Jean Tinguely), covered with mosaics composed of glass, mirrors, and ceramics.
You enter through a pavilion designed by Swiss architect Mario Botta, and you will discover the sculptor's youthful dream, inspired by the works of Antoni Gaudí and the Parco dei Mostri in Bomarzo, as well as the famous Palais Idéal du Facteur Cheval and the Watts Towers.
This space is managed by a private foundation: the Tarot Garden Foundation. Although there is an entrance fee to ensure the maintenance of the park, certain days are free, as wished by the artist.
► Camille Claudel Museum
Among the museums with a female imprint, we can note the Camille Claudel Museum, a building designed by Adelfo Scaranello, dedicated to the artist’s work. Located in the village of Nogent-sur-Seine in the Aube, a symbolic place for the artist where she discovered her passion for sculpture during her adolescence, it was recently inaugurated on March 26, 2017.
It succeeds the Dubois-Boucher Museum, an artist who himself recognized Camille Claudel’s talent. The museum is situated right next to the artist’s family home from 1876 to 1879.
Comprising over 200 works from the 19th to the early 20th century, the museum also houses the most significant collection of the artist's works (43, largely thanks to collections gathered by Reine-Marie Paris and Philippe Cressent and acquisitions from the art market with the help of the Heritage Fund) across 15 exhibition rooms.
You will discover, in addition to the artist’s work, the history of sculpture and its evolution during Camille Claudel's time, available through self-guided tours, audioguides, or guided tours. In addition to visits, the museum organizes various events: readings, lectures, screenings, live performances, or workshops for children.
► Curie Museum
Located just steps from the Pantheon in Paris, where the Curie couple has rested since 1995, this museum is housed in the former Radium Institute, founded with the aim of combating cancer (established in 1915 and later merged with the Curie Foundation in 1976 to become the Curie Institute). Marie Curie worked there for 20 years, until the end of her life.
The museum provides information on radioactivity and radiotherapy, as well as the personal lives of the scientist and her family, and serves as a general science knowledge center. Visitors can explore the archives and a permanent exhibition, which is continuously enriched thanks to the Curie and Joliot-Curie Associations and the scientist's close family.
To learn more about Marie Curie, her office, and the chemistry lab decontaminated in 1981, as well as her tools (and other instruments used in radium research from 1910 to 1960, totaling 1,000, though not all are on display), these have been preserved and are exhibited alongside photos and other archival documents.
It was in this very lab that Irène Joliot-Curie and her husband discovered artificial radioactivity and were awarded the Nobel Prize for this achievement. Some of their instruments are also on display.
Also visitable is the garden created by Marie Curie for her collaborators, now showcasing family portraits of the Curie siblings created by the artist C215, including Marie and Pierre Curie, their daughter Irène, and her husband Frédéric Joliot-Curie.
The library holds 5,000 printed documents and 300 audiovisual items, including French and foreign biographies about Marie Curie, theses, research on atomic energy and cancer, and numerous photographs related to the Radium Institute or more personal documents about the family, some of which trace their involvement in various causes (such as the Peace Movement or the French Communist Party congress).
Many testimonies about the family, from their own home movies or interviews with collaborators, are also available. Additionally, other manuscripts, French and international press clippings, and posters (notably for anti-cancer prevention provided by the iconographic service of the Curie Foundation Hospital) are available by appointment. The collection is so rich that it is now part of the Bibliographic Agency for Higher Education and Research network.
Also available are three logbooks (one of which has been digitized and made available online following a collaboration with Paris Sciences Lettres), fourteen activity reports, and 19,848 American press articles about the Curie couple’s two-month trip to the United States in 1921.
Documents related to the Foundation itself, including activity reports and personal files of its members, as well as archives from various laboratories or scientific institutes like the Curie Laboratory, CNRS, and the Orsay Nuclear Physics Institute, are also present. Additionally, papers on other major French political and intellectual figures are included. The museum also offers modern tools such as web series, video capsules, and virtual tours.
► Bibliothèque Marguerite Durand
Founded in 1932 by feminist journalist and founder of the newspaper La Fronde, Marguerite Durand, the library brings together numerous works focused on the history of feminism and women in general, and is the only public library of its kind in France.
It is currently located at 79 Rue Nationale in Paris, after having been housed from 1932 to 1989 in the town hall of the 5th arrondissement of Paris. Initially conceived as a small collection supported by reader donations within the offices of La Fronde, the library evolved into its enhanced version when the works were bequeathed to the Paris municipal council in 1932, four years before the journalist’s death.
Closed during the German Occupation and partially destroyed, the collection was revived in 1964. Under the direction of Simone Blanc, the library moved to a more spacious and modern building in the 13th arrondissement in 1989.
Frequently updated with new acquisitions and constant donations, the library boasts 45,000 books and brochures, with some of the oldest dating back to the 17th century. The collection includes numerous works by Olympe de Gouges and François Poullain de la Barre (a French feminist writer born in 1647). Topics covered range from feminism to science, social issues, and religion.
The collection also includes poetry, plays, novels, correspondence, diaries, theses, and memoirs. Among the library's other treasures are 1,200 titles of feminist, activist, and research periodicals, as well as press clippings, pamphlets, and biographical notes among the 5,000 documentary files, 3,500 maps, 5,000 photographs from the 19th and 20th centuries, and 1,000 posters from an iconographic collection of past and present.
There are also 4,500 letters, autographs, and manuscripts from prominent female figures, including explorer Alexandra David-Néel, activist Louise Michel, and actress Sarah Bernhardt. Additionally, the library houses artworks such as paintings, sculptures, and engravings, 80 archival collections from associations and personalities. The library also hosts colloquia, conferences, and exhibitions.
► A Museum in 2024
Scheduled for 2024 in Mougins, in southeastern France, the FAMM, replacing the former MACM antique museum, will dedicate its galleries to works created by women. An initiative by collector Christian Levett, it will be the first European museum to exclusively exhibit works by female artists. Among the first names revealed are Louise Bourgeois, Joan Mitchell, Marlene Dumas, and Alma Thomas, among many others.
Sites and Social Networks
► La mère Lachaise The Instagram page for MèreLachaise is, of course, a nod to Père Lachaise, the famous Parisian cemetery where many French and international personalities are buried. However, this page focuses primarily on the women interred there, many of whom have had noteworthy lives deserving of more attention. Visit La mère Lachaise on Instagram
► L'histoire par les femmes Managed by author Sophie Muse, L'histoire par les femmes is a site cataloging numerous portraits of women from the past and present, often overlooked by history. It features queens, athletes, writers, warriors, artists, activists, and scientists, representing various fields, geographic regions, and historical periods. Visit L'histoire par les femmes
► Les sans pagEs Initiated by Natasha Rault, Les sans pagEs is a project aimed at highlighting the work of women by creating and completing their profiles on Wikipedia. Launched in July 2016 after noticing the significant gap between male and female biographies (with less than 20% dedicated to women), the collective had, by 2020, created over 5000 pages and continues to expand the site with new biographies. Visit Les sans pagEs
► Le deuxième texte This site was created during the #HackEgalitéFH event and aims to highlight works by female authors that have been forgotten by school curricula. It features translations of various works such as poems, fables, and excerpts from larger works. While male authors are not forgotten, the project primarily seeks to bring attention to neglected yet significant and inspiring texts. Visit Le deuxième texte
► Invisibilisées Created by the Collectif Georgette Sand (link), which has also produced a book on the subject, this Tumblr aims to increase the visibility of women’s contributions throughout history. Although it is no longer updated, the Tumblr is filled with many interesting portraits of intriguing figures deserving of attention. Visit invisibilisées on Tumblr
► Online Bookstores
Librairie des Femmes A physical bookstore located in Paris, opened in 1974, it also has an online site where you can purchase novels, essays, children's books, and beautiful books by contemporary and historical female authors, whether they are lesser-known or internationally or nationally renowned, such as Virginia Woolf or Marguerite Duras.
Éditions des Femmes Founded by Antoinette Fouque in October 1968, this publishing house also offers books written by women, as well as audiobooks narrated by famous voices such as Fanny Ardant or Isabelle Huppert.
You now know some places to visit to honor women's heritage. Many women have been erased by history, and recognizing women's contributions is one of the 15 measures required by the collective Ensemble Contre le Sexisme.
A petition has been launched to include women's heritage in the European Heritage Days. The history of women's contributions to French and global heritage is gradually coming to light, but for more initiatives to emerge, it is important to engage with these profiles and show interest in them.
Whether through purchasing a book, liking an Instagram post, or visiting a place related to a famous woman, no contribution is too small. Many achievements and stories deserve to emerge from the shadows. And perhaps one day, a day dedicated to both heritage and women's heritage will come to be.
(Originally written and published in French)
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Posted Mar 24, 2025
An overview of France's most famous places to honor women's heritage.
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