Location: Paris
Top Things to do in Paris
What to do and see in Paris, Ile-de-France: The Best Ancient Ruins
Lingering over pain au chocolat in a sidewalk café, relaxing after a day of strolling along the Seine and marveling at icons like the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe… the perfect Paris experience combines leisure and liveliness with enough time to savor both an exquisite meal and exhibits at the Louvre. Awaken your spirit at Notre Dame, bargain hunt at the Marché aux Puces de Montreuil or for goodies at the Marché Biologique Raspail, then cap it all off with a risqué show at the Moulin Rouge.
Restaurants in Paris
1. Les vestiges de l'ancien palais des tuileries
2. Arenes de Lutece
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 306 reviews
The spectacular ruins of a Roman amphitheater: a powerful reminder of Paris' diverse historical roots.
Reviewed By jeanlaurentmanue2017 - Paris, France
These gardens are really a very nice place to stay and rest, or read in the open air, or talk with good friends an a bench. Rather be there in spring time or autumn, even in summer, as this little park holds for the patient visitor good surprises. It is, as a matter of fact, on the slope of the "Montagne Sainte Geneviève", so the little park is offering many different picturesque sights and many romantic places to sit and look around... In sunshine, near flowers, or under trees, more or less hidden under the leaves, more or les high over the romantic and a little rebuilt remaining walls of this "arena"; It is very uncommon "arena", because it was designed to be at the same time arena AND a theater. So you can see how the bottom of the arena is low, as all arenas, to protect the audience from gladiators or beasts fighting, AND how a whole side of it is planned to be a Scene Wall, in front of what actors or orators could declaim poetry or speeches. Now children of he area come here to play football ( soccer). So you can imagine Lutetia was too little a city to build an Arena AND a theater. Well, as regards Paris antiquity, you must know the town really grew and took an importance after the 2nd century, specially with emperor Julian ( called " the Apostate") who settled in town for a long time, when being in charge of the war against german invaders; He was very fond of this little city of Gaule, and write about it as " its dear Lutetia". He arrived in 357; There he improved his latin, being a greek speaking "second" emperor, at that time.There he could be well defended in the island of the "Cité", not too far from the German country. If you want to see other places of antic Paris, or have an global impression of what was "Lutetia Parisiorum" ( Lutèce of the Parisi - the "Parisii were the population of that area, who gave the name to theri city), you just have to walk a little farther, toward "Boulevard Saint Michel". Just before reaching it, you will cross a street very long and very straight: Rue Saint Jacques. It is the old North South Roman way. If you cross it high enough on its slope; you will be astonished to see how far it spreads. As a matter of fact, it goes nearly straight to Saint Denis,12 km from here ,and farther northwards. and southwards toward Sens and Autun, two larger towns in those times. Then you will see the grand Roman Baths of Lutetia, visible from Boulevard Saint Michel or from Boulevard Saint Germain; They are now integrated in the "Musée de Cluny", and you can visit this admirable museum of the Middle Ages. You will see the two remaining and huge halls of those baths , and different Roman "souvenirs of Lutèce". You must know the "Forum" ( public central square" ) was higher, ,approximately under "Place de la Sorbonne". And if you come back down toward the Seine, following Rue Saint Jacques, don't forget to slip into a little dead end ,passage, just at the right of the beautiful little church Saint Julien le Pauvre,( built at the same time and with the same stones as Notre Dame) - where you will discover something that most of the Parisians ignore: a few Roman paving stones. Bye! Have nice walks
3. Archeological Crypt of the Parvis of Notre-Dame
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 590 reviews
Temporary Closed
Reviewed By 98ChrisC
Situated almost directly in front of the Notre-Dame cathedral and relatively ignored by the main crowds, this was an excellent overview of the early history, settlement and expansion of Paris, with several maps showing the settlement on the Isle and to the North/South of the Seine. You can see a large excavation just under street level with gold coins, and other finds on display, including what was the Roman dock situated on the side of the Seine and battlement foundations. There are also several interactive displays and a photobooth to get your own face on the image of a Roman coin (2€). Well worth the visit as an add on while visiting Notre-Dame
4. Les vestiges des Tuileries
5. Vestiges du Pate-Paris
6. Les vestiges de l'hotel de ville
7. Les vestiges des Tuileries
8. La porte Saint-Honore
9. Art-tour
In this tour you will see a part of the medieval Paris, understand why this district is called the Latin Quarter, learn about the manufacture of Gobelin, the lost river, the beginnings of the French University and the love story of the 12th century. You will discover Gothic churches, landmarks, Roman roads & ruins, stroll narrow cobbled streets, see where Hemingway lived and enjoy a street market.
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