Heritage Days 2025: Embark For Free On The Pioneers' Flight In Toulouse
Need a big breath of fresh air (and history) before autumn? Head to Toulouse! For a weekend, L'Envol des Pionniers is reopening its hangars for free and propelling us into the thrilling saga of the Aéropostale. Shall we take you there?
A heritage appointment that has become essential.
Every third weekend of September, the European Heritage Days attract more than 10 million curious people in France according to the Ministry of Culture. In 2024, no fewer than 24,000 sites had participated in the exceptional opening. For the 2025 edition, Toulouse is determined to stand out: the historic site of Montaudran, the cradle of civil aviation, opens its doors 100% free of charge on September 20 and 21. This is a real bargain considering that the full-price ticket usually goes up to €9.
The Pioneers' Takeoff: the aeronautical spirit of the Pink City
Located where the Latécoère aircraft took off between 1918 and 1933, The Pioneers' Takeoff brings to life the incredible saga of Aéropostale. Mermoz, Guillaumet, Saint-Exupéry... names that resonate in the Toulouse wind! The site, inaugurated at the end of 2018, already attracts nearly 80,000 visitors per year (SEMECCEL 2024 figure). Its immersive scenography, filled with period objects and audio testimonies, recounts the human and industrial adventure that made Toulouse the "Silicon Valley" of aviation long before its time.
New in 2025: "Air France, a Story of Elegance"
It's impossible to talk about the airmail line without mentioning its direct descendant: Air France, established in 1933. The temporary exhibition unveiled this spring highlights 90 years of French refinement:
- uniforms designed by Dior or Balenciaga,
- retro advertisements that evoke dreams of Mexico or Saigon,
- cabin models where one discovers that "business class" was once called "Super Economy."
It serves as a reminder that in 2024, Air France was still transporting 87 million passengers while aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050.
Travelogue Artists on Layover: 28 Meters of Mural to Transport the Imagination
No boredom in sight! Several sketchbook artists will set up their brushes and watercolors in the lobby. Their sketches bring to life the Toulouse-Dakar-Buenos Aires route at a glance. The highlight of the show? A giant 28-meter-long mural that unfolds, frame by frame, the legendary stages of the Line. Visitors will be able to exchange coloring tips, discuss fine grain paper, or simply daydream in front of Patagonian skies.
Workshops to transition from the role of spectator to that of explorer
Free upon registration, three introductory sessions to travel journaling (for ages 12 and up) are scheduled: Saturday 10am-12pm, Saturday 2pm-4pm, Sunday 2pm-4pm. Materials provided, so no worries if your last drawing dates back to high school days. On Sunday, there will also be a sensory writing workshop: scents of eucalyptus, sounds of Hispano-Suiza engines, and sepia photographs will stimulate the writing. Ideal for taking home a unique souvenir, much more lasting than a magnet.
Roaring Twenties atmosphere guaranteed
Charleston dance, cloche hats, and jazzy swing: the performer Dann will stroll among the models with her vintage tunes. In the courtyard, striped deck chairs and a retro photobooth will serve as a time machine. Insider tip: come dressed in 1920s fashion, thin mustache or fringed dress, to make the photos even more striking.
Rarely opened spaces: Didier Daurat's office and the mail car
Heritage Days are also an opportunity to pass through doors that are usually closed. This year, one can admire the meticulous reconstitution of the office of the famous station manager Didier Daurat, not exactly known for his flexible scheduling... Further on, an authentic postal car from the 1930s awaits the curious. One can still make out the compartments where, between Paris and Toulouse, the "mobile postmen" sorted 40,000 letters per journey – a meticulous task at a time when the plane carried only the most urgent mail.
Practical information: Block your calendar now!
- Date: Saturday, September 20 and Sunday, September 21, 2025, 10 am-6 pm.
- Rate: Free access.
- Address: 6 rue Jacqueline Auriol, 31400 Toulouse (bus L8, stop Montaudran-Gare).
- Workshops: online registration required (limited places).
- Good to know: a secure bike parking is available, and the metro line C will serve the site from 2026; soft modes of transportation are preferred.
Why you shouldn't miss this edition
In 2024, over 62% of the visitors to the Heritage Days reported seeking "living experiences rather than static tours." L'Envol des Pionniers ticks all the boxes: history, immersion, participation. Add the unbeatable price (zero euros!) and the location – just 15 minutes from the city center by bus – and you have THE cultural outing of the season.
Nota Bene: Aéropostale, one name, several legends
Latécoère Airlines (1918) became the General Airmail Company in 1927. Nationalized in 1933, they merged with other companies to form Air France. Mermoz was the first to cross the South Atlantic non-stop and return in 1930; Guillaumet survived five days in the Andes; Saint-Exupéry turned his experiences as a pilot into a literary masterpiece. In short, visiting Montaudran is like stepping into the epic novel of aviation.
