In 1984, Jack Lang, Minister of Culture under François Mitterrand's government, introduced an "Open House Day in historical monuments". The aim of the event was to allow visitors to discover or rediscover French history through art in general: sculpture, painting, architecture, etc. Many monuments, some of which were closed to the public for the rest of the year, opened their doors. The first edition took place on 23 September 1984 and was an immediate success.