Paris is often called the most romantic city in the world—think sipping champagne at the Eiffel Tower, admiring priceless art at the Louvre, or taking a leisurely stroll along the Seine. While Paris is undoubtedly beautiful, there’s so much more to the city than the usual tourist attractions.
One of the most fascinating places to explore in Paris is underground. Sure, the famous Catacombs are a well-known spot, but there’s another hidden gem: The Paris Sewers Museum.
While most travelers will visit the Louvre or the Eiffel Tower, very few take the time to discover this one-of-a-kind museum. So, if you’re looking to step off the beaten path, here’s everything you need to know about the Paris Sewers Museum.
A Brief History of the Paris Sewers
Paris, a sprawling city with a history that spans thousands of years, has always faced a basic issue—waste. Back in ancient times, the population was small enough that waste wasn’t much of a problem. People simply tossed their garbage and sewage into the Seine River. The streets were dirty, but it wasn’t a big concern.
However, as Paris grew during the Middle Ages, the amount of waste increased, and the Seine became so polluted that it was no longer usable. The river stank, and it made people sick. The streets were covered in human and animal waste, with little being done to clean them up.
In 1370, Paris began building its first sewers and drains, but it wasn’t until the reign of Louis XIV and later Napoleon that the system really expanded. Despite these efforts, the waste still made its way to the Seine, leading to disease outbreaks like typhoid. Victor Hugo, author of Les Misérables, famously described the sewers as “fetid, wild, fierce…”
In the 19th century, engineer Eugène Belgrand was hired to redesign the system. He created larger sewers, built aqueducts to bring in clean water from the surrounding areas, and established treatment plants. As the system grew and improved, diseases and pollution declined, and the city became healthier.
Today, Paris has the largest sewer system in the world, spanning over 2,100 kilometers, which is enough to stretch from Paris to Istanbul. It can handle up to 2 million cubic meters of waste per day.
The sewers were opened to tourists during the 1867 World Expo and have remained a popular attraction ever since. The Paris Sewers Museum allows you to walk through part of the sewer system and learn about how the city handles its waste. It’s an incredibly informative experience, with signs in French, German, and English. Surprisingly, it doesn’t even smell that bad, and you’ll be able to hear the flow of waste below you as you explore the tunnels.
Look out for the large metal balls used to clean the sewers. The water pressure would roll them through the pipes, clearing away any debris that built up.
How to Visit the Paris Sewers Museum
The Paris Sewers Museum is located near the Alma Marceau metro stop, just across the bridge on your left.
The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm. Admission costs 9 EUR for adults, with discounts available. Audio guides are also offered.
If you have a Paris Museum Pass, admission is free.
The tour takes about 45 minutes. You’ll start with some history on the sewers, along with old tools and machines that were once used to clean them. Some displays are only in French, but most of the content is in English, so you may want to grab an audio guide to get the most out of your visit.
While everyone comes to Paris to see the major landmarks like the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, and Notre Dame, the Paris Sewers Museum offers a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at how the city deals with an ancient problem. It was one of the most unique experiences I’ve had in Paris, and I highly recommend it!
