The Archaeological Crypt of the Île de la Cité

What to expect

Nestled in the heart of Paris, the Archaeological Crypt of the Île de la Cité never fails to impress both young and old. Located beneath the esplanade of the Notre-Dame Cathedral, it offers an immersive journey into the depths of history. A true archaeological trail, it winds its way among the numerous architectural remains left behind by the successive layers of urbanization. From Antiquity to the 20th century, the visit unveils the capital's lengthy adventure. The Gallo-Roman period with the ancient baths of Lutetia, the Middle Ages with the opening of the Neuve Notre-Dame street, the Classical period with the first orphanage built under Louis XV, the Second Empire with the layout of the sewers by Baron Haussmann – these numerous periods follow one another, revealing to the eye the usually invisible aspects of the city, its long urban sedimentation. Along the journey, small figures will help explain the mysteries of Paris to the younger ones.

New visit measures

Following the purchase of your ticket, it will be necessary to reserve your visit slot free of charge. All information will be sent to you by email. On the day of your visit, you will have to present the purchased ticket as well as the proof of reservation of the chosen time slot.

Opening hours of the Archaeological Crypt of the Île de la Cité

Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Closed on Monday, January 1st and May 1st.

Prices

Full price: Entry and exhibition €11

Reduced price: Entry and exhibition €9 (available only on site and upon presentation of a valid ID and/or valid supporting document) for holders of the “Paris Pass Familles” and “Famille nombreuse” cards, active teachers, young people aged 18 to 26, active school documentation staff, holders of the “Navigo-Améthyste-Emeraude” card, members of the Société de l’histoire de l’art français, the Société nationale des antiquaires de France, the Sauvegarde de l’art français and the Société française d’archéologie.

Tickets must be printed. Tickets shown on a digital device are not accepted and cannot be refunded.

Free admission (upon presentation of a valid ID and/or valid supporting document) for: job seekers, recipients of social minimum benefits, students of art, archaeology, INALCO and INP, specific art schools, people with disabilities and their companions, war-disabled veterans and their companions, young people under 18, residents of the city of Rome, visual artists, International Association of Art Critics, Commission du Vieux Paris, lecturers and guides, French and foreign curators, Parisian elected officials, journalists, ICOM and ICOMOS, City of Paris staff, artistic press union, Société des amis du musée Carnavalet, employees of the Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Visiting tips

• For security reasons, suitcases of any kind, as well as large travel bags or backpacks (hiking type), are not allowed in the museum or the cloakroom. Only small travel bags or backpacks smaller than A3 format (height 42 cm x width 29.7 cm) are accepted in the cloakrooms.
• Tickets must be printed. Tickets shown on a digital device are not accepted and cannot be refunded.

Map

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