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Dear reader,
This September, some of Europe’s most remarkable doors will open, and from America, we are joining the journey. On September 19 and 20, 2026, European Heritage Days return for their 43rd edition, inviting visitors inside monuments, government institutions, historic residences and cultural spaces; some rarely accessible to the public. The tradition began in France in 1984 and has since grown into a celebration of the idea that heritage should not simply be admired from a distance. It should be entered, understood, questioned and preserved.
That idea resonates far beyond Europe. Here in the United States, we are surrounded by places that tell equally compelling stories: presidential homes, historic neighborhoods, museums, battlefields, architectural landmarks, diplomatic residences and buildings that have witnessed defining chapters of American history. And in 2026, as the United States marks its 250th anniversary, the question of how we understand and preserve our shared history feels especially meaningful.
For FQM, this is also where France and America meet. From the monuments of Paris to the historic landmarks of Washington, D.C.; from Versailles to the places associated with Lafayette and the Franco-American alliance; our histories have crossed for centuries. Heritage gives us another way to understand those connections.
Think you know the story across the Atlantic? Put your knowledge to the test. Get your Passport to Culture™ 2026 France & America Edition and discover the people, places, gastronomy, traditions, landmarks, and surprising connections that have shaped two nations across nearly 250 years of shared history.
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