JEP 2026: SIGHTSEEING TOURS｜FREE

Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September Bastion de l’Étendard opening hours: 10.00–17.30. The Gouvernail is open: 10.00–17.30. Opening hours for the Escalier du Roy d’Aragon: 9.00 am–6.30 pm. Closed-toe, flat shoes must be worn to visit the Escalier. Discover or revisit the classics? Enjoy breathtaking views whilst visiting our monuments and historic sites for free, and take the time to learn about their rich history. → No booking required. Free entry.

JEP 2026: VISIT THE CITADEL WITH THE AUDIOGUIDE｜FREE

Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September｜10.00–18.30｜Municipal Tourist Office｜Free Explore the citadel at your own pace! A free audio guide is available for a 1½-hour guided tour.

JEP 2026: BONIFACIO HERITAGE TOUR – A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE | FREE

Discover Bonifacio… in a different way! With the Bonifacio Autrement app , explore the town at your own pace and delve into the key moments of its history: its military architecture, its monastic alleyways, its urban developments past and present… All these facets have shaped the identity of this town perched on the cliffs. Information pillars, display stands and interactive terminals guide you on this self-guided walk through Bonifacio’s iconic sites and hidden heritage treasures. A real urban adventure for those curious about architecture and history! Free app available to download from the App Store and Google Play. Further information is available from the Municipal Tourist Office.

JEP 2026: FUN APP – THE MYSTERIES OF PIF | FREE

Ready for some new adventures? With the ‘Les Mystères de Pif’ app, become Lupif, the adventurous dog, and discover the heritage of the Upper Town! Guided by Charlok the clever cat, solve puzzles, look up to discover Bonifacio’s hidden treasures and take on surprising challenges. Your mission? To uncover the city’s great secret through augmented reality… just like a real mystery hunter! Free app available to download from the App Store and Google Play . More information at the Municipal Tourist Office.

Taking a fresh look at the history and heritage of Bonifacio18, 19 and 20 September 2026

European Heritage Days

For their 43rd edition, the European Heritage Days will take place on Friday 18, Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September 2026, centred on the national theme ‘Photographic Heritage’.

In Bonifacio, a medieval town with a particularly photogenic heritage, these three days will be an invitation to immerse yourself in images of the past, to rediscover those that have shaped the town’s memory and to take a fresh look at its history.

Unique tours will also offer the chance to explore little-known aspects of Bonifacio’s heritage, with a special focus on the military heritage of the Upper Town through the rediscovery of the Gunpowder Magazines.

These buildings, which bear witness to the town’s defensive history, form part of a heritage that has long been under threat; one of the powder magazines has recently undergone restoration.

Visitors will also be able to stroll amongst the historic monuments, be captivated by the immersive works of the De Renava Contemporary Art Biennale, and delve into the heart of Bonifacio’s history at the Espace Saint-Jacques, through the exhibition ‘Bonifacio Through the Ages’.
This exhibition draws on the latest research into the town, compiled in a new monograph bringing together contributions from around fifty researchers and specialists.

Three days to marvel, explore and be surprised by Bonifacio, at the crossroads of history, heritage and photography.

PHOTOGRAPHIC HERITAGE

Evening Tour: Bonifacio in Pictures

Friday18th｜Tours at 8.00 pm｜Meeting point: Marina Harbour Master’s Office
Free｜Limited to 30 people
Tour duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

As night falls, Bonifacio reveals a different side…

Relive 900 years of history through historical images projected onto iconic landmarks. An immersive walk, between light and shadow, where the past engages with the present.

Equipped with a video projector, Nela, your tour guide, will bring the sites to life through old photographs, engravings and archive footage projected directly onto the town’s façades. From the bustling harbour to the narrow streets of the citadel, each stop unveils the Bonifacio of yesteryear.

→ Booking essential via the Municipal Tourist Office.

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Photographic Treasures

Sunday 20th｜Tours every 30 minutes from 10.00 to 12.30 and from 14.30 to 17.30｜Meeting point: Café Chez Ange, Haute-Ville｜6 people per tour
Tour duration: 30 mins

Discover over 150 years of Bonifacio’s history through the eyes of a passionate collector: Ange Viel.

Deeply attached to his hometown and passionate about its heritage, Ange Viel has, over many years, amassed a remarkable collection of photographs, illustrations, historical documents and other precious artefacts from Bonifacio’s past.

To mark European Heritage Days, he opens the doors to this unique collection and invites you to engage in a genuine dialogue with the past, where every photograph reveals a fragment of Bonifacio’s history.

Through this exceptional collection, the entire history and evolution of the town are revealed: a living heritage, made up of preserved traditions, familiar landscapes and profound transformations over time…

→ Booking is essential via the Municipal Tourist Office.

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Family photo rally – Treasure hunt

Look up!

Sunday 20th｜Starts at 3 pm｜Meeting point: Citadel Tourist Office
. Free｜Ages 7 and over｜Groups of 2 to 6 people

Get your cameras ready! A Bonifacio adventure captured in a snapshot…

What if, for the 2026 European Heritage Days, Bonifacio’s Upper Town became your playground?

Get your team together with your parents, grab your instant camera and set off to explore the citadel! The challenge? Look up, hunt for the mysteries hidden at the top of the narrow streets, uncover the secrets carved into the stone and capture your best finds.

Click, snap! The photo comes out instantly, the mystery is revealed and the memory is yours to keep!

Organised in partnership with the Girandulà association.

→ Booking essential via the Municipal Tourist Office.

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MILITARY HERITAGE

The Gunpowder Stores in the Upper Town

Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th at 10.30 am｜Meeting point: Sainte Marie-Madeleine Chapel, Maison des confrères.
Free｜Limited to 16 people per tour
Tour duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Regulars on Mr Tercé’s tours, did you think you knew all the secrets of Bonifacio’s military history? Think again!

This time, our tireless retired lieutenant-colonel invites you to rediscover a virtually forgotten piece of military heritage.

Discover the Northern Powder Magazine! Visible near the marine cemetery, this square-plan building, surrounded by a protective wall, was designed to withstand enemy fire. Its underground section reveals a vast storage area capable of holding nearly 20 tonnes of explosives, with a 45-metre-long tunnel – an ingenious system for draining rainwater.

Another unique and gradually forgotten building is the Gunpowder Store near the Chapel of Sainte-Marie-Madeleine. Carved into the cliff face, this now inconspicuous site was still in use as recently as 1989!

These structures, both complex and strategic, are unusual sites that are exceptionally open to visitors during the European Heritage Days.

→ Booking is essential via the Municipal Tourist Office.

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HUNTING AND COLLECTING GAME

Cryptors in the City

Pixel art

Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th｜10.00–17.00｜Meeting point: Citadel Tourist Office
. Free admission｜Self-guided tour

Watch out, the Cryptors are coming to Bonifacio!

In September, little robotic creatures from the past are set to invade the citadel! With your smartphone in hand, download the ‘Cryptors in the City’ app, set off in search of them, capture these pixelated historical characters and test your knowledge of the town’s history.

A captivating digital adventure combining history, heritage and street art.

There are plenty of prizes to be won and collected from the Citadel’s Municipal Tourist Office throughout the European Heritage Days weekend!

POLYPHONIC CONCERT

BALAGNA GROUP

Saturday 19th｜9.00 pm｜St Dominic’s Church｜Free

A Cant’à Paoli: A polyphonic epic at the heart of Corsican history.

Discover a vibrant musical tribute dedicated to Pasquale Paoli, ‘Babbu di a Patria’.
Carried by the powerful voices and harmonies of the Balagna ensemble, this exceptional show retraces the extraordinary life of the great 18th-century statesman.
Much more than just a concert, A Cant’à Paoli is a unique journey down memory lane. Through traditional polyphonic music, period songs and contemporary compositions, the music intertwines with historical narratives.
The show highlights Paoli’s life, his battles, his loved ones – such as his father Ghjacintu and his brother Clemente – but also all the forgotten heroes who fought for Corsica’s freedom.

→ No booking required. Free admission.

EXHIBITIONS

Bonifacio, through the ages

Saturday 19th and Sunday20th｜10.00–18.00
Espace Saint-Jacques｜Free entry
Open from 5 to 30 September, Wednesday to Sunday, from 10.00 am to 1.00 pm and from 2.30 pm to 6.30 pm.

In 2010, the Municipality of Bonifacio published an ambitious monograph covering history, geology, gastronomy, the economy and the environment. In 2026, under the scientific direction of Émilie Tomas, a new publication has been produced: some fifty contributors have updated the existing knowledge and explored previously uncharted themes, from the geological formation of the site to the present day, covering all the historical layers of our town’s history.

This comprehensive publication, the result of a rich collaborative effort, is also being showcased in the form of an exhibition that will present the main themes of this research, accompanied by previously unseen archaeological artefacts and furnishings, notably those from the sites of Araguina Sennola, Cavallo, Piantarella and Montlaur.

A cultural programme accessible to all will enrich this event, fostering dialogue between experts and the public to celebrate heritage in all its forms.

A temporary exhibition presented as part of the European Heritage Days, organised by the municipality of Bonifacio with the support of the Collectivité de Corse.

Guided tours of the exhibition will be offered by the municipality’s heritage department on Wednesdays 9, 16 and 23 September from 11.00 am to 12.00 pm.

→ Booking recommended via the Municipal Tourist Office.

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©
Illustration Identitaires Exchange Bonifacio

Lecture accompanying the exhibition

Saturday 19 September｜5.30 pm
Espace Saint-Jacques｜Free admission
The Municipality of Bonifacio invites you to a special round-table discussion to discover and discuss its new, previously unpublished monograph, the result of an unprecedented scientific collaboration. Bringing together some fifty contributors, this work offers a comprehensive update on the history of Bonifacio, from its geological formation to the present day.

A highlight offering the chance to engage in dialogue with the speakers – the authors of this unique synthesis – and to explore together the many facets of Bonifacio’s heritage. Open to all, this event forms part of an initiative to share and collectively celebrate our history.
Speakers: Philippe Colombani, Erick Miceli, Didier Rey, Alain Di Meglio

Biennale

Nimu Dormi

BY RENAVA

Saturday 19 September｜10.00–17.30｜Montlaur Barracks｜Free admission

Now a must-see event in Bonifacio, the De Renava Foundation’s Contemporary Art Biennale returns for its 3rd edition with the exhibition-tour ‘Nimu Dormi’ (‘Nobody Sleeps’).
This new edition explores celebration as an act that is both political and collective: a space for resistance, freedom and emancipation.
The exhibition route takes in five iconic sites in this thousand-year-old city: the Agora, the French Barracks, the Cisterna, the Impluvium and the Palazzu. The exhibition features 14 international artists alongside 6 local artists and collectives.
An enchanting interlude where contemporary art engages in dialogue with Bonifacio’s heritage.

Programme linked to the Contemporary Art Biennale,Saturday 19 September

• Preview of the new work at the Salle Capsule, dedicated to emerging island talent: *Ma Première Carcasse* by Saveria Ancian, winner of the call for projects.
Caserne Montlaur | 4pm–6pm | Free admission

• Improvised dance performance by Déborah Casamatta, followed by a drinks reception.
Impluvium | 6.30 pm | Free entry

Counterfeiters’ Missteps

Saturday 19th and Sunday20th｜10.00–17.30｜Underground rooms of the Bastion del’Étendard｜Free admission

‘Faux airs de faussaires’ is a multi-year educational project run at Bonifacio Primary School within the ULIS class, which caters for pupils with disabilities or significant learning difficulties. The aim of the project is to foster a shared artistic culture within the class by reproducing masterpieces, thereby helping pupils to better understand artists and artistic movements.

RELIGIOUS HERITAGE

Former Sainte-Marie-Madeleine Oratory – House of the Brotherhoods

Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th｜9.00 am–12.00 pm / 2.00 pm–6.00 pm｜Free entry

This former 13th-century oratory, dedicated to Saint Mary Magdalene, now known as the ‘House of the Brotherhoods’, has stood the test of time whilst serving a variety of purposes!

From the 14th century onwards, the oratory became a church and the residence of the brotherhood of the same name. It underwent numerous transformations throughout its history, particularly in the 20th century when it became a cooperative wine cellar to facilitate the production of olive oil. A unique feature still visible today is the presence of millstones and fine olive presses in the former nave.

Talk: ‘The history of the former Oratory of Saint Mary Magdalene through the centuries’

Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September | 4.00 pm | Free admission

Lecture given by a member of the Venerable Confraternity of Saint Mary Magdalene of Bonifacio.

Fondation du Patrimoine: Fundraising for the ‘Petite Châsse de Sainte Marie-Madeleine’

Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September｜ St Dominic’s Church

For nearly 30 years, the Fondation du Patrimoine has been committed to promoting, preserving and showcasing the nation’s heritage.

A pioneer in its field, it launched public sponsorship and crowdfunding back in 1999 – innovative tools for saving endangered treasures.

For several years now, the Municipality of Bonifacio and the Foundation have been joining forces to fund restoration projects for the town’s religious buildings and iconic sites.

This year, the focus is on the restoration of the Petite Châsse de Sainte Marie-Madeleine, an 18th-century polychrome wooden statue, likely from a Ligurian workshop. Cracks, loss of material and deterioration of the paint layers threaten this object, a symbol of Bonifacio’s intangible heritage.

This project aims to preserve a spiritual and cultural heritage, whilst strengthening the emotional bond between the members of the Confraternity of Saint Mary Magdalene and their history.

THE MUST-HAVES

JEP 2026: SIGHTSEEING TOURS｜FREE
Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September
Bastion de l’Étendard opening hours: 10.00–17.30.
The Gouvernail is open: 10.00–17.30.
Opening hours for the Escalier du Roy d’Aragon: 9.00 am–6.30 pm.
Closed-toe, flat shoes must be worn to visit the Escalier.
Discover or revisit the classics? Enjoy breathtaking views whilst visiting our monuments and historic sites for free, and take the time to learn about their rich history.
→ No booking required. Free entry.
JEP 2026: VISIT THE CITADEL WITH THE AUDIOGUIDE｜FREE
JEP 2026: BONIFACIO HERITAGE TOUR – A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE | FREE
Discover Bonifacio… in a different way!
With the Bonifacio Autrement app, explore the town at your own pace and delve into the key moments of its history: its military architecture, its monastic alleyways, its urban developments past and present… All these facets have shaped the identity of this town perched on the cliffs.
Information pillars, display stands and interactive terminals guide you on this self-guided walk through Bonifacio’s iconic sites and hidden heritage treasures. A real urban adventure for those curious about architecture and history!
Free app available to download from the App Store and Google Play. Further information is available from the Municipal Tourist Office.
JEP 2026: FUN APP – THE MYSTERIES OF PIF | FREE
Ready for some new adventures?
With the ‘Les Mystères de Pif’ app, become Lupif, the adventurous dog, and discover the heritage of the Upper Town!
Guided by Charlok the clever cat, solve puzzles, look up to discover Bonifacio’s hidden treasures and take on surprising challenges.
Your mission? To uncover the city’s great secret through augmented reality… just like a real mystery hunter!
Free app available to download from the App Store and Google Play. More information at the Municipal Tourist Office.