Gallo-Roman Paris

No, not Notre-Dame - it's what's under the square in front of the cathedral that interests me today.

Just to the left and back a little from where I was standing in 2010 to take this photo is a set of steps heading down into the dark: the entrance to the Crypte Archeologique. Down there we'll find some of the oldest parts of Paris on display, including the remains of the quay of the ancient port of Lutetia, the Gallo-Roman bath house, the early IVth century city wall, and medieval remains.

In five weeks we'll be in Paris

I've started giving a bit more shape to our fortnight in Paris, and plan on exploring the city in chronological order. And to that effect, this is where it all started: a small tribal settlement on what is now the Ile de la Cite (on the right). There has been a bridge here at the narrowest point between the island and the Left Bank since the Romans, although the Petit Pont (in the centre of the image) has been rebuilt numerous times following floods, fires and accidents. The current bridge was opened in 1853.