Underneath the city lie traces of the past.

The archaeological crypt at Notre-Dame has undergone an extensive renovation programme. A new exhibition dedicated to the history of Paris invites visitors to discover the remains preserved in the crypt, setting them in their architectural and historical context. With this exhibition, for the first time since its opening to the public in 1980, the museum is able to show off its newly renovated crypt.

Archaeological evidence preserved in the heart of Paris, under the forecourt of the cathedral, show the remains of buildings that have long fallen, dating from the establishment of the Roman city of Lutetia to the nineteenth century transformations by Haussmann. These traces testify to the intense urbanization over the centuries of this spot at the heart of Paris.

The principle of archaeological restoration is explored in detail, giving the visitor the essential knowledge to understanding the site: every important archeological element is set in its own scene transforming the crypt into a kind of miniature stage.