Paris may be world-famous for its rats, the pesky little rodents that even inspired a famous animated film by Pixar Studios, but few of us know much about the capital's sewer system where they live, and even less about the history and use of this space beneath our feet. That's what the Musée des Égouts de Paris (Paris Sewer Museum) has to offer, a place that may not seem glamorous at first glance, but is nonetheless rich in information about the Parisian underground !
Today, the sewers of Paris boast more than 2,600 kilometers of galleries, yet they weren't always so modern. In the 18th century, the city was plagued by disease, and the sewer was a cloaca - a place designed to receive filth. So, over the course of the 19th century, the Parisian sewer system gradually expanded, before becoming a jewel in France's industrial heritage.
So plunge (literally) into the heart of what goes on beneath the capital, to discover the permanent collections of the Paris Sewer Museum. Industrial sites, wastewater treatment techniques, systems used in Paris... Become a professional sewage worker on a tour of the work involved in cleaning and maintaining the sewers, and learn about current ecological issues.
The Sewer Museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm. Admission is €9 full price, €7 concessions, and free for minors and under-26s (from the European Union only). The tour is accessible to disabled visitors, in particular those with reduced mobility.
For our part, we didn't come across any rats during our visit, but rather a few mosquitoes - the space being a little damp, of course! More than just a museum, it's a real machine that runs continuously, even when you're there! Don't miss the toilets, where the tour continues, with interactive panels explaining the future path of the flush contents!
To get to the museum, take metro line 9 (Alma-Marceau station), RER line C (Pont de l'Alma stop) or buses n°92, 80, 42 and 63.
Baignade en Seine, toute une histoire: the Musée des Égouts de Paris small exhibition
Once possible, swimming in the Seine was banned in 1923 for health reasons. But 102 years on, Parisians may well set foot in it again! A history explored by the Musée des Egouts, until December 31, 2024! [Read more]
Dates and Opening Time
Starts December 12, 2024
Location
Paris Sewer Museum
Pont de l'Alma
75007 Paris 7
Prices
- de 26 ans: Free
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).
