Crypte Archéologique de l'İle de la Cité — Attraction in Paris

The Archaeological Crypt of the Parvis Notre-Dame (Crypte Archeologique) is located on the main square in front of Notre Dame and provides visitors a rare glimpse into Paris’ distant past. The site, discovered during excavations between 1965 and 1972, features ruins of the Gallo-Roman town called Lutetia, which rest beneath the surface of the Notre Dame Square. Entrance is €6 per adult and the attraction is included as part of the Paris Museum Pass.

Some consider this one of the most important archaeological sites in France, if not all of Europe, due to the relatively well-preserved building foundations, walls and other vestiges of the Gallo-Roman town of Lutetia, the precursor to Paris. Evidence of later structures from the middle ages, all the way to the 19th century is found at the site. In all, this 2200 square meters of various homes, bathhouses, shops, seawall and other ruins to be seen at the crypt.

In addition to the actual ruins, they make good use of interactive technology, providing visual displays of what the ancient city would have looked like. Further computer simulations provide glimpses into Notre Dame itself during various phases of its construction during the 12th to 14th centuries.

Overall, we very much enjoyed the Archaeological Crypt, finding this attraction well worth 30-45 minutes of your time before or after visiting Notre Dame Cathedral. Those with a interest in ancient history or ruins, will want to add this attraction to their list of must-see places to visit when in Paris.

Hint: The entrance to the crypt is found at the front of the main square, while facing the cathedral. Just look for the signs and the...

This was a very nice and interesting diversion during our recent trip to Paris. My wife and I actually didn't know that it existed, but we saw it when we visited Notre Dame, decided to go in, and paid for our tickets at the front.

I came out knowing much more about the history of the area and the architecture than I did before, so that is a "win" in my book. It may take you about an hour or so to move through, but it's definitely worth the money.

I should also mention that the staff were literal Heroes that day. When we went to a cafe shortly after visiting there, my wife discovered that her purse was missing from her backpack. At that point, if it hadn't been pickpocketed (would NOT have been an easy feat), there were only 2 places where it could possibly have been. It wasn't at the first (down at a spot on the Seine), so we went back to the Crypt, with our fingers and toes crossed. It turns out that she had left the purse at the ticket counter. The staff found it and kept it safe. One of the gentlemen working there even tried to seek us both out on social media to tell us, but neither of us use social media. But, we got it back safe and sound, which was a massive relief. It wouldn't have been the end of the world if it was gone; luckily her passport was not in there. However, it still would have been a MAJOR headache to get a new driver's license and cancel credit cards, not to mention the loss of a NOT insignificant amount of Euros. So again, from the bottoms of our hearts,...

If you are an archaeology lover, this place is a must-visit. However, it can be a little hard to spot at first because it's underground, just look for the staircase leading to the entrance (This place is included in Paris Museum Pass).

This is a really cool archaeological museum right in the heart of Paris, under the square in front of Notre-Dame Cathedral. It’s like stepping back in time because it shows you layers and layers of the city’s history, literally buried beneath the streets we walk on today. The site covers over 2,000 years of Paris’ past, from Roman times to the Middle Ages.

When you visit, you get to see old ruins, foundations, walls, and even streets that were part of ancient Lutetia—the Roman city that eventually became Paris. There are also artifacts like pottery, tools, and bits of old buildings that give you a glimpse of what life was like back then. It’s kind of wild to think about how many people lived, worked, and walked around these very spots centuries ago.

The whole thing is set up really well, with clear signs and some interactive displays that make the history easy to understand, even if you’re not a history buff. Plus, it’s a peaceful escape from the busy city above. If you’re into history or just curious about how Paris grew into the amazing city it is today, the Crypte Archéologique is definitely worth checking out. It’s a hidden gem 💎 that shows a side of Paris most tourists...