Paris Sewer Museum (Musée des Égouts) in France

Last Updated on 1st March 2023 by Sophie Nadeau

Paris Sewer Museum (Musée des Égouts) may well be the strangest place (let alone museum!) that I’ve ever been to. If you’re not usually a fan of museums, then this might just be the perfect place to visit. Situated on Paris’ left bank, it’s a delve into the Parisian underworld for less than 10 euros…

Editor’s note: As of 2021, The Paris Sewer Museum has been reopened to the public following a 3 year renovation.

I may have had a go at walking along the Petite Centre, and discovered my new favourite view over Paris (there’s a secret view of Sacreé Coeur to be found at Butte Bergeyre and if you make a trip there, you certainly won’t regret it!) but not once have I ventured underneath Paris itself- unless you count the metro, that is!

A brief history of the Parisian sewers

Although Paris’ roots date all the way back to when the city was known as ‘Lutetia,’ there have been sewers in Paris since the early 1300s, making them some of the oldest and most unique in the World. The first sewer in the city of lights was constructed under Rue Montmartre (a road situated in the 1e and 2e arrondissements).

In popular fiction, the Parisian sewer system has been mentioned multiple times in Victor Hugo’s novel ‘Les Miserables’. Also of note is that Hugo wrote the Hunchback of Notre Dame, effectively saving the iconic Ile de la Cité monument of Notre Dame in the process.

Until the middle ages, drinking water had been taken directly from the Seine. Wastewater was put straight back into the Seine and biologically treated by the river’s natural ecosystem.

However, as the population of Paris grew during the middle ages, the fragile ecosystem that supported the water source to the city was no longer viable. As a result, a new solution had to be found: the sewers in Paris.

What it’s really like to visit the Paris Sewer Museum

There’s a small kiosk where you can purchase tickets. You then walk down 42 steps into the dark depths of the sewers below. Aside from the obvious change in light, what strikes you the most as soon as you walk down the narrow passageway is the smell. 

It’s funny because you think that a sewer museum would smell bad. And it does. It smells really, really, really bad. The entire museum is filled with these life-sized mannequins.

They really added to the surreal feel to the place and they make you feel as if you’re halfway between a museum and a working sewer. And in a way, I guess you are!

Each street in Paris has at least one corresponding sewer. As a result, underneath the city, each sewer has a street sign matching that of above ground. It’s eery and interesting in equal measure, to imagine that for every street you walk along, there’s an equally long sewer, complete with street signage!

Although, as a tourist, you are only able to access the sewers through the museum, tourists used to be taken through a larger part of the system via wooden boat, right up until the late 1970s. This must have been quite the tour! 

The entire museum is filled with bilingual information boards ranging from how the sewers are cleaned to how the weather affects sewer function throughout the city.

This means that whether you read French or English, you’re sure to be able to glean a little insight into how the Paris sewer system works, thanks to the Musée des Égouts.

When I first entered the museum, I wasn’t sure how close to the actual sewers you’d be able to get. Well, the answer is pretty close!!!

At some points, the water is deafeningly loud. Around a third of the tour is spent walking above sewage in the process of being treated, while the rest is in other nearby underground rooms.

How to visit the Paris Sewer Museum (Musée des Égouts)

Address: Pont de l’Alma, 75007 Paris

Nearest Metro: Alma/ Marceau Line 9

Nearby to the Paris sewer museum, you’ll find other equally interesting Parisian attractions such as the Eiffel Tower, several stunning views of the River Seine, and also some iconic Haussmannian architecture. For a glimpse of Art Nouveau in Paris, be sure to wander along Avenue Rapp, making sure to stop off for a snap in Square Rapp.

Opening times: May- September 11:00 -18:00 / October- March 11:00 – 17:00. Unfortunately, due to maintenance work, the Parisian Sewer Museum is closed to the public from the 2nd of July 2018 until what was originally planned to be the beginning of 2020. The museum is now opened in 2021 after several years of renovations.

Curious to see more of the weird and wonderful that Paris has to offer? Then be sure to check out some of the other incredible small museums the City of Light has to offer. 

How long does it take to visit the Paris Sewer Museum?

Be sure to set aside around 1-2 hours to visit the museum. If you want to truly see all the interesting things that the Paris Sewer Museum has to offer, then I recommend setting aside several hours.

While the visit is self-guided, you’ll need time to read the signs and simply admire the feat of architecture that are the Parisian sewers! If you have more time after your visit, then it’s worth noting that there are plenty of other things to do near the Eiffel Tower.

Before visiting, if you’re curious about learning more about the history of drinking water in Paris (prior to your visit to the Paris Sewer Museum to learn about drinking water in the French capital), then you might consider watching the ‘Les pieds sur Terre’ episode of Down to Earth on Netflix with Zac Efron, which is all about the ‘eau de Paris’.

France Travel Information

France uses the Euro (€)

The main language spoken in France is French. Though you can get by with English is more touristic places, it’s always a good idea to learn some of the local language. Bring along a simple phrasebook like this one to help make your travels easier.

The capital of France is Paris. For more information and inspiration, check out our best Paris travel tips.

France uses plug types, types C and E. As such, if you’re travelling from the UK, USA, Canada, and many other destinations, you’ll need to buy an adapter. I recommend buying a universal travel adapter that you can use for multiple destinations (rather than buying a new adaptor for each place you visit).

As one of the most popular destinations in the world, you should always consider booking your accommodation well ahead of time. Check out this website for price comparison details and detailed reviews.

Be careful with your belongings. I also highly advise to avoid wearing a backpack and to instead opt for a crossbody bag like these ones. I personally use a crossbody bag by this brand and love its shape, size, and versatility.

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Sophie Nadeau loves dogs, books, travel, pizza, and history. A fan of all things France related, she runs solosophie.com when she’s not chasing after the next sunset shot or consuming something sweet. She currently splits her time between Paris and London. Subscribe to Sophie’s YouTube Channel.

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