'Major breakthrough': Ancient wall discovery points to origins of first Paris settlement
Video. French archaeologists have revealed details of a find that is thought to be evidence of the first settlement in central Paris. The discovery of a 20-metre stretch of an ancient wall near Notre Dame Cathedral suggests Lutetia, the ancient name for the capital, was built on the Île de la Cité.
Updated: 28/09/2026 - 13:41 GMT+2
A 2,000 year old wall has been found in Paris which could redefine the history of the French capital's Gallic origins.
The discovery of the 20-metre long rampart beneath Hotel-Dieu hospital has been hailed as a "major breakthrough" by the French Culture Ministry.
The find, near Notre Dame Cathedral suggests, for the first time, that Gallic Lutetia was located on the Île de la Cité, in the heart of the capital, and not in Nanterre, a westerly lying suburb.
Archaeologist believe the stone-and-wood structure is the remains of a stronghold dating back to the Gallo-Roman period when Paris was known as Lutetia before its conquest by Julius Caesar's forces in 52 BC.
The wall was unearthed in July during the course of excavations but only made public last week.
