Chana Orloff: War & Peace
- Ateliers-musée Chana Orloff, Paris
8 Mar - 28 Jun 2026
From€10.00
Recommended
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€11.00
The exhibition In the Seine: found objects from prehistory to the present day, currently hosted at the Archaeological Crypt of the Île de la Cité, offers a profound curatorial exploration of Paris’s identity through its aquatic artery. By showcasing 150 artifacts recovered from the riverbed, the display moves beyond traditional archaeology to present the Seine as a living archive and a silent witness to the city's evolution. The curatorial theme centers on the intimate, enduring relationship between human civilization and the river, framing the water as a repository of both the mundane and the sacred.
Spanning millennia, the exhibition highlights the historical significance of the Seine from the earliest human settlements to the industrial age. Visitors encounter Neanderthal flint tools found at Clichy-la-Garenne, which represent some of the oldest traces of life in the Paris basin, and Gallo-Roman stone sculptures from the sanctuary of Sequana, the goddess of the river. The transition into the medieval period is marked by the presence of bronze age weaponry and votive offerings, such as the curious lead-alloy figurines known as chevaliers, believed to be tokens of faith left by 14th-century knights. These pieces underscore the river’s role as a site of ritual and spiritual deposit across different faiths and eras.
The emotional resonance of the display lies in its ability to humanize the distant past through lost or discarded fragments of daily life. From a 16th-century mascaron from the Pont Neuf to humble pilgrim badges and domestic waste, the objects evoke a sense of shared continuity. There is a haunting beauty in seeing ritual deposits of swords and battleaxes alongside architectural fragments, illustrating how the river has absorbed the city's triumphs, struggles, and transformations. This dialogue between the artifacts and the ancient foundations of the crypt itself creates a powerful atmosphere of immersion, reminding us that the history of Paris is inextricably tied to the currents of the Seine.
Highlights
- Discover a stunning collection of 150 artifacts that have been meticulously recovered from the riverbed of the Seine.
- View an array of ancient weapons and votive offerings that reveal the ritual and military history of early Parisian inhabitants.
- Learn about the scientific archaeological methods used by researchers to date and interpret these fascinating underwater finds.
- Trace the evolution of the city through reclaimed relics spanning from prehistoric times to the modern era.
- Explore the unique underground setting of the Archaeological Crypt of the Île de la Cité, which provides a dramatic backdrop for the display.
Frequently Asked Questions about In the Seine
Yes, access to this temporary exhibition is included with your general admission ticket to the Archaeological Crypt of the Île de la Cité.
Visitors typically spend about 45 minutes to 1 hour exploring the 150 artifacts on display, in addition to the time spent in the permanent ruins of the Crypt.
Photography for personal, non-commercial use is permitted, provided that you do not use a flash, tripod, or any equipment that might obstruct other visitors.
Yes, the exhibition is an engaging way for children to learn about history through physical objects like ancient weapons and everyday items found in the river.
Yes, the site is equipped with an elevator and is fully accessible to visitors using wheelchairs or those with limited mobility.
The collection features 150 diverse items recovered from the Seine, ranging from prehistoric flint and Gallic coins to medieval weapons and modern-day artifacts.
The Archeological Crypt of the Île de la Cité
- Paris
Descend beneath the parvis of Notre Dame Cathedral to explore the Archaeological Crypt of the Île de la Cité, where captivating exhibitions reveal the ancient Roman and medieval foundations of Paris. This subterranean museum offers a rare journey through two millennia of urban history, showcasing remarkably preserved vestiges unearthed from the city's historic heart.
Schedules
Opening Hours
- The Archaeological Crypt of the Île de la Cité is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.
- The venue remains closed to all visitors every Monday.
- The final admission for entry is at 5:30 pm each day.
- Ticket offices also stop serving customers at 5:30 pm before the site closes.
Special Days
The venue is closed on January 1, May 1, and December 25, with exceptional closures on June 13 and June 14, 2026.
Public holiday openings include Ascension Day, Easter, May 8, July 14, August 15, November 1, and November 11.
Entry is free for all visitors under 18 years old and for EU residents under 26 years old.
How to get there
Tucked beneath the historic Parvis Notre-Dame in the 4th arrondissement, the Archaeological Crypt of the Île de la Cité sits at the very heart of Paris, making it exceptionally accessible via the city's extensive transport network. Visitors can easily reach this subterranean treasure from either bank of the Seine, as it is surrounded by some of the most well-connected transit hubs in the capital.
- Metro: Line 4 to the Cité or Saint-Michel stations, or Lines 1 and 11 to Hôtel de Ville.
- RER: Lines B and C to Saint-Michel Notre-Dame, or Lines A, B, and D to Châtelet-les-Halles.
- Bus: Lines 21, 38, 47, 58, 70, or 96 to the Cité - Palais de Justice stop.
- Batobus: Disembark at the Notre-Dame stop for a short walk across the parvis to the crypt entrance.
Directions
Contact
Website
https://www.crypte.paris.frTelephone
+33 (0)1 55 42 50 10Other Exhibitions in Paris
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