The Paris Sewer Museum: discover the underbelly of the capital

Published by Rizhlaine de Sortiraparis, Cécile de Sortiraparis, Graziella de Sortiraparis · Photos by Cécile de Sortiraparis · Published on December 26th, 2023 at 02:14 p.m.
The Paris Sewer Museum is one of the capital's most cult and unusual experiences. Follow the guide!

The Paris Sewer Museum is one of the capital's most cult experiences. The concept may not seem very glamorous at first glance, but this unusual museum is nonetheless very interesting! Head to the bowels of Paris to discover the capital's secrets in this underground exhibition space.

Closed between 2018 and 2021 for renovations, the Musée des égouts, founded in 1975, has undergone a thorough renovation. It is now able to welcome all publics: disabled visitors can now access the museum via an elevator, as the site was previously very difficult for them to access.

The work has also improved the visitor experience, even if the unpleasant smells, mosquitoes and occasional rats are still very much with us. The place is brighter and more welcoming. The tour route has been somewhat modified, as has the structure in certain places, especially where the passage was very narrow and awkward. In addition to these renovations, the institution has also rethought its scenography, offering us an enriched museography and modernized supports.

In fact, all the old panels, worn out by time, have been scrapped to make way for new ones. These include a chronological frieze and interactive panels. Explanatory panels now punctuate the entire visit, which can be made on your own, or guided by one of the museum' s staff, some of whom are sewage workers by trade.

Another new feature, since the reopening of the Paris sewers, is the use of videos. Several films punctuate the tour. The last one, in computer-generated images, is highly educational, taking stock of everything visitors have discovered during their visit. It's a pictorial review, and a very informative one, since everything is explained, with diagrams and maps in particular, which never fail to situate the place where we are.

This desire to educate goes even further, right down to the smallest corner. The toilets on the public tour of the Paris sewers are now equipped with interactive panels explaining the future path of the contents of a flush.

All the models and exhibits have been restored to their former glory. As the Sewer Museum has modernized, it has also integrated sound showers. Placed in a specific spot, visitors can hear an explanatory soundtrack.


The City of Paris has also installed its own wifi network. This comes in handy, as there's no telephone network in the sewers.

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It's an unusual ride, but well worth it for the curious andhistory buffs! So get ready to go underground at the Sewer Museum. Who knows, you might come across some of Paris ' famous rats!

Practical information

Dates and Opening Time
Starts September 28th, 2023

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    Location

    Pont de l'Alma
    75007 Paris 7

    Prices
    Moins de 18 ans: Free
    Moins de 26 ans ressortissants UE: Free
    Location d'audioguide: €3
    Tarif réduit: €7
    Tarif plein: €9

    Average duration
    1 h

    Official website
    musee-egouts.paris.fr

    More information
    Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am to 4 pm (last admission).

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