Arènes de Lutèce

For those who don't know, Lutèce was the very first name given to Paris. Or more precisely, the French version of its Roman name: Lutetia. During the Gallo-Roman period of our capital, the compatriots of Caius Iulius Caesar (Jules to his friends) decided to build one of their favourite gathering places there: an arena.

Paris' Roman past

Proud of having conquered most of Europe and beyond, the Romans left behind impressive monuments across the continent. The Arenas of Lutetia are among those still standing today. Listed as a historic monument, they were built between the 1st and 2nd centuries. They served as both a circus and a theatre. Wrestling matches, horse races, athletics competitions and other public and cultural events took place there.

In 285, the stones of the amphitheatre were used to build a rampart around the Île de la Cité. Faced with the choice between protecting themselves from barbarians and destroying a historic building, the French logically decided to survive. Abandoned, the monument sank into the ground over time. It was not until 1869, during Haussmann's renovation of Paris, that the Arenas were rediscovered.

Along with the Baths of Cluny, which you can discover at the Cluny Museum, the Arènes de Lutèce are the last vestiges of Paris' Gallo-Roman past.

Contemporary appropriation

The Arènes de Lutèce are nestled in the Latin Quarter. Every day, students, workers and curious visitors come here to daydream, have lunch and relax on the steps or benches provided.

Since their discovery, they have once again taken on their role as a performance venue. They now host various performances, including Les Nuits des Arènes. This event takes place every year in June. Concerts, workshops, conferences and exhibitions enrich the life of the neighbourhood for two days.

As a historic city par excellence, Paris is brimming with historic monuments. Don't wait any longer to discover the city's past.