Archaeological Crypt of the île de la Cité

(CLOSED - Due to preventive conservation work on the artefacts, the Archaeological Crypt closed its doors on 28 June 2026 for several months. During this period, the history of Paris is on display at the Carnavalet Museum.

Beneath the immense forecourt of Notre-Dame lies this remarkable archaeological site that allows visitors to relive life on the Île de la Cité, the historic heart of Paris, as it was 2,000 years ago. The largest crypt in Europe, the site presents discoveries made during digs that took place between 1965 and 1972, when preparations were underway to construct an underground car park on the site. While the focus is on Paris’s past, the technology on offer is resolutely modern: interactive maps, touch screens and 3-D animations aim to make history enjoyable for all the family.

Journey through the ages

Along the 200-metre-long crypt, you pass from Gallo-Roman antiquity to the 19th century via the Middle Ages, thanks to a suite of exceptional archaeological remains. You will discover the docking port of the Gallo-Roman city of Lutetia – the precursor to modern Paris, Gallo-Roman public baths, and a portion of the city wall dating from the early 4th century. Moving forward in time, you can see the basement of the former Hôtel Dieu Chapel, the remains of the Rue Neuve-Notre-Dame – dug in the 12th century to transport construction materials to the Cathedral, the foundations of the **Hospice des Enfants-Trouvés, or Hospice of Found Children, as well as traces ofHaussmannian sewers**. A veritable journey through time, the site gives a new perspective on Paris’s urban and architectural evolution.

A virtual reality tour of Notre-Dame

At the Cité de l’Histoire, the immersive experience Éternelle Notre-Dame perfectly extends a visit to the Archaeological Crypt by offering a true journey back in time to the heart of the cathedral. Equipped with a virtual reality headset, you are invited to explore more than 850 years of history, from the first medieval stones to the 2019 fire, through the key stages of its construction and influence. Thanks to a highly detailed reconstruction combining 360° images and immersive storytelling, this unique experience brings Notre-Dame to life and reveals the full richness of its history and architecture, far beyond what the eye can see today.

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