At the heart of the Île de la Cité, where Notre-Dame de Paris now stands in Gothic splendor, lies a space that has undergone profound transformations over the centuries. But what do we really know about this site before it became home to one of the most famous cathedrals in the world? What secrets are buried beneath its foundations?
To uncover the answer, we must trace the thread of history back far beyond the 12th century, when the construction of Notre-Dame began. In a time when the history of Paris was still written in Roman letters, this very site already held a central role in the lives of its inhabitants, though for very different reasons.
An Ancient Island at the Heart of Lutetia
Even before the arrival of the medieval builders, the Île de la Cité was a sacred territory. During the era of Lutetia, the ancient name of Paris under the Roman Empire, this site housed a temple dedicated to Jupiter, the supreme god of the Roman pantheon. Historians and archaeologists suggest that this temple was a symbol of Roman authority over conquered Gaul.
Archaeological excavations conducted beneath the forecourt of Notre-Dame in the 1970s uncovered remains of Gallo-Roman buildings. Among these were a sanctuary and public baths, evidence that the Île de la Cité was already a significant religious and administrative center. These discoveries highlight the spiritual and symbolic continuity of this location across the ages.
The Center of Christian Life by the 4th Century
As Gaul gradually embraced Christianity, Roman temples were abandoned or repurposed. It was on the remains of the ancient sanctuary that a first Christian basilica was built in the 4th century, dedicated to Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr. This modest basilica served as the main place of worship for local inhabitants for several centuries.
Nearby, another church was constructed, dedicated to the Virgin Mary. This dual place of worship reflects the early stages of Christianity in the Paris region, a time when populations still wavered between pagan traditions and the new faith.
The Great Medieval Transformation
By the 12th century, in response to the growing population of Paris and the rising influence of Christianity, church authorities decided to combine these two structures into a single monumental project. Thus was born the idea of building a cathedral dedicated to the Virgin Mary: Notre-Dame de Paris.
Bishop Maurice de Sully, who initiated the project, ordered the demolition of the old churches to make way for what would become one of the grandest construction sites of medieval Europe. The first stone of Notre-Dame was laid in 1163, marking the beginning of nearly two centuries of construction.
A Site Where Eras Intertwine
Today, the forecourt of Notre-Dame tells this multi-millennial story through the Archaeological Crypt of the Île de la Cité, a discreet yet fascinating museum that immerses visitors in the ancient and medieval past of Paris. Within its galleries, one can see the remains of Gallo-Roman buildings and the early Christian churches that preceded the cathedral.
A Place, a Thousand Stories
Before Notre-Dame as we know it today, this site was successively a Roman sanctuary, an ancient administrative center, and a modest Christian complex. These layers of history illustrate the evolution of Paris, from its ancient beginnings to its medieval heights.
Notre-Dame is more than just a cathedral; it is a witness to a past where pagan deities, Christian fervor, and human ambition converged. Beneath its millennial stones, it continues to whisper the tales of a city in perpetual transformation.