Archaeological Site · Île de la Cité · 4th Arrondissement
Crypte Archéologique & the Paris Museum Pass
The largest archaeological crypt in Europe — beneath the forecourt of Notre-Dame, tracing 2,000 years of Paris from Roman Lutetia to the 19th century.
Individual ticket
€9
With Museum Pass
Included
Timed slot
Not required
Open
Tue–Sun
Hours
10am–6pm
Last updated: February 2026 · Prices and details verified
Is the Crypte Archéologique de l’Île de la Cité included in the Paris Museum Pass?
Yes — the Paris Museum Pass covers full entry to the Crypte Archéologique, saving you €9 per person. No reservation required — walk in Tuesday to Sunday. One of the most undervisited and rewarding hidden gems on the entire pass.
Crypte Archéologique de l’Île de la Cité — Fast Facts
Address
7 Parvis Notre-Dame — Place Jean-Paul II, 75004 Paris
Nearest Metro
Cité (Metro 4) — 3 min walk (Metro 4)
Bus
21, 24, 27, 38, 47, 85, 96
Opening hours
Tuesday–Sunday 10am–6pm · Early closing at 5pm on 24 and 31 December · Closed Monday, 1 January, 1 May, 25 December
Closed
Mondays, 1 January, 1 May, 25 December
Individual ticket
€9 (2026)
With Museum Pass
Free — included
What to Know Before You Visit
The Crypte Archéologique was created in 1980 beneath the forecourt of Notre-Dame to display remarkable Roman and medieval remains discovered accidentally during 1965–1972 excavations for an underground car park. The 200-metre-long crypt is the largest in Europe and contains extraordinary layers of history — from the docking port of Gallo-Roman Lutetia to 18th-century foundations — revealed in situ exactly where they were found.
No reservation required. No reservation required. The entrance is on the Place Jean-Paul II forecourt in front of Notre-Dame — look for the small entrance kiosk on the left side of the square. Walk in Tuesday to Sunday, 10am–6pm.
Note: The current exhibition ‘Dans la Seine’ (January 2024 – January 2026) presents 150 objects recovered from the Seine by archaeologists, displayed alongside the Roman remains. A new exhibition is expected from 2026 — check crypte.paris.fr before your visit.
Collection Highlights
A walk through the 200-metre crypt takes you from Roman antiquity through the Middle Ages to the 19th century — all beneath your feet on the Île de la Cité.
Highlight 1
The port of Lutetia
remains of the docking quay of the 1st-century Gallo-Roman city, including mooring posts and riverside infrastructure from 2,000 years ago
Highlight 2
Gallo-Roman public baths
heated rooms (caldarium, tepidarium) from a 3rd-century Roman bathing complex, one of several bath complexes on the Île de la Cité
Highlight 3
Medieval and post-medieval foundations
the successive layers of construction across 2,000 years revealed in cross-section: Roman, medieval, Renaissance, and 18th-century structures superimposed
Visitor tip: The Crypte is almost always uncrowded — even in peak season. It’s an excellent choice for a rainy day or when the more popular Île de la Cité monuments (Sainte-Chapelle, Conciergerie) feel packed. Allow 45–60 minutes and use the interactive maps and touchscreens throughout.
Getting There
Take Metro 4 to Cité — exit onto the Île de la Cité, entrance on the square in front of Notre-Dame (Parvis Notre-Dame). The Conciergerie and Sainte-Chapelle are both a 5-minute walk — combine all three on the same visit.
Ready to Visit Crypte Archéologique de l’Île de la Cité?
€9 entry included with the Museum Pass. Plus 50+ more venues across Paris.
The entrance is on the Place Jean-Paul II — the large forecourt in front of Notre-Dame Cathedral. Look for the small entrance kiosk on the left (north) side of the square. It is easy to miss — the entrance is a modest structure set into the pavement of the forecourt, not a prominent building. The crypt is underground.
Yes — the crypt has interactive touchscreens, 3D animations, and scale models throughout, making it genuinely engaging for children from about age 7 upward. The physical remains are dramatic enough to hold younger attention. A children’s trail is available at the entrance. The space is entirely underground and stroller-accessible.
Yes — the Crypte is directly beneath Notre-Dame’s forecourt and takes 45–60 minutes. The cathedral itself is free and a 2-minute walk. The Notre-Dame Towers (€15, pass-covered) require a separate advance booking. A good sequence: Crypte first (no booking needed), then cathedral interior (free, walk-in), then Towers at your booked time.
