In Val-de-Marne, this underground network is set to emerge from obscurity. The Delacroix quarries, a lesser-known heritage site of the Parisian region, are expected to reopen to the public soon. Long closed, these historic cave-quarries are currently the focus of an ambitious preservation project, with a reopening planned for 2027. It’s exciting news for enthusiasts of unusual places, hidden histories, and off-the-beaten-path adventures.
Before becoming an industrial hub, Ivry-sur-Seine was originally a land of tunnels. The Delacroix quarries and caves were carved out of Lutetian limestone, the iconic stone thought to have been used to build much of Paris. For centuries, these underground tunnels shaped Ivry’s landscape, creating a sprawling subterranean labyrinth beneath the city.
Over time, these underground quarries were gradually abandoned and ultimately sealed off for safety reasons. Like many hidden sites in the Paris region, they fell into semi-forgotten obscurity, known mainly to heritage experts and urban exploration enthusiasts. However, their historical and cultural significance has never completely vanished. In recent years, the local government and several cultural organizations, including OCRA, have been working to preserve them, recognizing the unique potential of this underground site.
The reopening of the Delacroix quarry caves is underway, but it will require careful precautions. Restoration, safety measures, and enhancement work are essential to ensure visitors can experience the site in optimal conditions. If everything proceeds on schedule, the public could once again explore this extraordinary underground heritage as early as 2027.
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Location
Ivry sur seine
ivry sur seine
94200 Ivry sur Seine
Official website
www.fondation-patrimoine.org
