DISCOVER ANTIQUITY - LUTETIA, BETWEEN RIVER AND HILLS

The origins of Paris

Before there was Paris, there was Lutetia, a modest Gallic town on the banks of the Seine. Set between the river and the hills, this first urban nucleus was the cradle of the capital's history.

Why take an interest?

Lutetia is the root of Paris. To understand its organisation and daily life is to go back to the source of more than two millennia of history. The city's future was shaped by the choice of location, trade and Roman influences.

A brief history and anecdotes

The Romans transformed Lutetia by building thermal baths, arenas, a forum and aqueducts. People moved around, traded and prayed in temples dedicated to their gods. The city prospered slowly, becoming part of the vast Roman Empire, before experiencing the troubles of the great invasions.

Remains to discover today

- Arènes de Lutèce (5th arrondissement)
- Thermes de Cluny (Cluny Museum)
- Traces of Roman roads can be seen in the layout of some streets
- Objects and mosaics conserved in Paris museums

Tips for further study

- Visit the Musée de Cluny for its ancient collections
- Explore the Latin Quarter, the historic heart of Lutetia
- Read stories about Roman Gaul to understand the context

Through the audio guide

🎧 Listen to our immersive account of Lutetia and life in the ancient city on History Guide City Paris!
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