If you’re into Ancient Roman history, Paris is probably not the first city on your radar. With medieval Notre Dame, the French Revolution, Napoleon, the Belle Époque, and the Second World War, Paris is much better known for its later history.

But did you know that there was a Roman town in what eventually became Paris?

It’s true. There was a Roman military base in what is now the Île de la Cité beginning in about the 1^st century BC. A town eventually grew up around the base and was named Lutetia. This Roman town laid the foundation of the modern city of Paris.

So, are there any traces left in Paris of its Roman past?

Yes, there are! While you may not see anything on the scale that you’d find in, say, Rome, if you keep your eyes open, you can still find vestiges of Ancient Rome in Paris!

1. Arènes de Lutèce

The English translation of this site is “Arena of Lutetia,” so it should come as no surprise that the Arènes de Lutèce are the remains of Lutetia’s amphitheater.

Located in what is now the 5^th arrondissement, the amphitheater was once the site of gladiator games and other entertainment of the ancient city. Somewhere between 10,000 and 15,000 people could be watching the grisly games from its seats.

Buried and forgotten in later centuries, it was rediscovered in the 18^th century during construction of a nearby road. Thanks to the efforts of Victor Hugo and other Parisian intellectuals, the amphitheater was saved.

Today, the Arènes de Lutèce is a public park where, in warmer months, you can find Parisians eating lunch and enjoying the beautiful weather.

2. Thermes de Cluny

The Ancient Romans loooved to bathe, so it’s no surprise that Lutetia had its own public baths built in the city.

They were likely constructed sometime in the 1^st or 2^nd century AD and destroyed by barbarians in the 3^rd.

Today, the preserved ruins are found in the 5^th arrondissement, incorporated into the Musée de Cluny, Paris’ museum dedicated to medieval art.

The ruins are visible from the street, but you’ll need to pay an entrance fee to go inside and really see them in their full glory.

They are among the largest and most important Roman ruins north of the Loire. The best-preserved room is the frigidarium (cold room), with its high arches (they’re over 14 meters or 46 feet tall) and traces of original paintings and mosaics.

3. Archaeological Crypt

Notre Dame Cathedral is, undoubtedly, one of the star attractions of Paris. Nearby are government buildings such as the Palace of Justice. To accommodate the many visitors and workers to the area, construction work began in the late 1960s on an underground carpark in the square right outside the cathedral – and ended up unearthing some of the city’s oldest ruins.

Today, the Paris Archaeological Crypt showcases those remains and is the only archaeological site open to the public in the city.

Here, you’ll find parts of the old Roman town, including the ancient port (the island back then was smaller than it is now) and another thermal bath. You can also find items retrieved from the river – ancient, medieval, and modern.

Bonus: Museums – the Louvre and beyond

Ok, so I’m cheating a bit here. And it doesn’t technically have to do with Lutetia. But if you still haven’t gotten your fill of Ancient Roman history after checking out the sites above, head over to France’s most famous museum (the Louvre) and admire their extensive collection of Roman art.

Other smaller museums where you can also see Roman artefacts include the Petit Palais, located in the 8^th arrondissement, and the Museum of the Bibliothèque nationale de France, where you can find a collection of Roman coins.

So there you have it! Will you be adding a Roman site to your next visit to Paris?