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Love museums but sensitive to strong odors?
Read no further. This is not the museum for you!
There are a multitude of museums to choose from when visiting Paris…The Louvre, Musée D’Orsay, Rodin Museum, Galeries Nationale du Grand Palais, Petite Palais…the list goes on. But what do you do when you’ve been to them all? What if you are looking for a museum that offers something more unique than sculpture or paintings?
The Musée des Égouts de Paris (The Paris Sewer Museum) is a museum near the Pont D’Alma (Alma Bridge), on Paris’ Left Bank, that concentrates on the history of the city’s sewage and water treatment from its initial development in the 14th century.
Having been my second visit to this unique, walk through history, I was excited to take my son…after all, what teenaged boy wouldn’t think that going underground in Paris is cool? (and besides…the catacombs were closed!)
Heavy rains had fallen the night before and when we arrived at the ticket kiosk, a few minutes before the scheduled opening, we found the window half drawn and a sign stating that the museum was closed due to flooding. A worker sweeping water away from the structure, spoke with me in French and with the little bit of the language that I understand, I gathered that maybe it would be open later in the day.
As we stood there, trying to figure out an alternative plan, we watched many people arrive, read the sign and walk away, thus proving what a popular attraction it actually is.
Deciding on a boat ride down the Seine, we were on our return when I noticed that we were approaching the Pont D’Alma bridge. Taking to the top deck, I watched for the Musée des Égouts’ kiosk…the window was open and there was a small line!
Making our way back to the kiosk and purchasing our tickets, we were soon descending the stairs to the museum.
The first thing that you notice when entering the museum is the strong smell. Of course, there are billions of gallons of water, filled with raw sewage, rushing through here each minute, so of course it is to be expected. Breathing shallowly, I tried not to think about it and enjoyed learning about the workings of the sewer system and just overall being someplace where most people don’t ever get to go!
The museum showcases equipment used throughout the system and highlights the history of how running water came to be so long ago in Paris. All signage is in both French and English and the 500 meter path is easy to follow and decently lit.
At the end of the self-guided tour, there is a small gift shop (in the event your need a stuffed rat, to remind you of your visit) and restrooms.
For the Paris visitor who has seen it all, the Musee des Egouts is a wonderful way to get a different perspective of the city. And…for the first time visitor, squeeze it in between your visit to the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower…it takes less than an hour and is something interesting that you can tell your friends at home about!
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Musée des Égouts de Paris
- http://www.egouts.tenebres.eu/visite.php
- Address: Pont de l’Alma, place de la R�sistance, face au 93 quai d’Orsay.
75007 Paris - Hours: May 1 until September 30, 1100-1700, October 1 until April 30, 1100-1600
- Admission: Adults, €4.20, Children (ages 6-16 years), €3.40, Children (under 6), free
- Getting There: Metro, Line 9, Alma-Marceau station. RER train, Line C, Pont de L’Alma station. Bus, lines 63 and 80 at Alma-Marceau stop.