Since the World’s Fair of 1867, Parisians and international visitors have ventured into the subterranean world that exists below street level to discover the mysterious inner workings of the city’s sewers. Nearly a century later, the Paris Sewer Museum opened in 1975, and has expanded since then. Today, fresh off its latest renovation, the museum’s entrance is housed in a modern new building, and visitors have improved access to the sewer galleries and exhibition spaces, which detail the sewers’ construction, history, and maintenance. It’s advised to book tickets online in advance of your visit, as only a select number of people are admitted into the museum at any given time.
The Paris Sewer Museum is adjacent to the Alma Bridge (Pont de l’Alma) on the Left Bank, in Paris’ 7th arrondissement. The Pont d’Alma RER C stop is only steps away, and the closest Métro station is Alma-Marceau, served by Line 9. The area can also be accessed by buses, bikes, taxis, and on foot.
The Paris Sewer Museum is open daily except on Tuesdays, from morning until early evening (last entry is 1 hour before closing time). The museum is also closed each year on May 1, December 25, and for most of January. Admission is free during European Heritage Days in September.
The average visit to the Paris Sewer Museum lasts between 45 minutes and 1 hour, so if you find yourself with time to spare, never fear: the museum happens to be near many of Paris’ most in-demand landmarks. From the Eiffel Tower and the Champ de Mars to Invalides and the Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac, a number of cultural and historical highlights are just moments away.
