The Archaeological Crypt beneath the Notre-Dame forecourt

The Paris Archaeological Crypt is a museum set on the Île de la Cité, beneath the forecourt of Notre-Dame cathedral. It invites visitors to discover relics spanning the past two thousand years of history, from the ancient city to the present day, in the historic heart of the capital.

From excavation to museum
Between 1965 and 1972, archaeologists led digs in the very center of Paris and uncovered evidence of human occupation that had evolved over the course of centuries. The discovery of objects and of the foundations of various buildings, the oldest dating back to antiquity, naturally led to the creation of an on-site museum. Established in 1980 under the forecourt, the crypt preserves these remains and offers a unique perspective on the urban and architectural evolution of the Île de la Cité.

The most striking relics
Among the most monumental remains held in the crypt are the wharf of the port of the ancient city of Lutèce, the city walls that protected the inhabitants from barbarian invasions in the early fourth century, and, from later periods, the traces of medieval streets and of the Found Children hospice, a Renaissance orphanage. Together these layers reveal buildings that occupied the site from antiquity to the twentieth century, a true journey through time.

The Archaeological Crypt beneath Notre-Dame Square is located at 7 Parvis Notre-Dame - Place Jean-Paul II, 75004 Paris. The nearest public transport stations are Cité (Metro Line 4) and Saint-Michel Notre-Dame (RER B, RER C, and Metro Line 4), placing the crypt just a short walk from the other historic landmarks of Île de la Cité.

• Address: 7 place Jean-Paul II, Parvis Notre-Dame, 75004 Paris.
• Nearest public transport stations: Cité (Metro Line 4) and Saint-Michel Notre-Dame (RER B, RER C, and Metro Line 4)
• Remains uncovered in digs from 1965 to 1972; museum established in 1980.