Have you heard of the Crypte archéologique de l'île de la Cité? Located beneath the forecourt of Notre-Dame de Paris, this historic site is one of the museums of the City of Paris: it houses archaeological remains dating back to Antiquity, discovered during excavations undertaken between 1965 and 1970. Visitors to the Crypt can admire ancient Gallo-Roman and medieval buildings, as well as the layout of the Haussmann sewers.
Since renovations carried out in 2014, this place steeped in history has also been home to various 3D reproductions of Paris in different eras, as well as models of Notre-Dame de Paris, installed directly above.
The Crypte archéologique is gearing up for a new phase of works: in early 2026, the Parisian museum is due to close its doors for a major renovation, linked to the redevelopment of the Notre-Dame forecourt. This vast project will take several years to complete. The area around the cathedral is set to undergo a complete facelift over the coming years.
One of the phases of this project involves re-imagining theunderground space in front of the cathedral, transforming the parking lot into a visitor center. This new space will be the sole gateway to the Archaeological Crypt, and will also house a bookshop, café, toilets...
But that's not all. The interior of the Crypt is also set to evolve. The City of Paris wishes to enrich the tour of the archaeological remains, with new objects and historical pieces on display, and excavation furniture unveiled to visitors... In addition, the mediation of the site is to be renewed, with a more experiential itinerary accessible to all.
It is not yet known exactly when the Crypt will be closed, and further details are to be announced shortly.
Official website
www.crypte.paris.fr
