Kilomètre zéro and crypte archéologique
France > Paris > Islands > Île de la Cité > Kilometre Zero
Notre-Dame isn't only at the heart of Paris, it's also the symbolic heart of the country – outside on the pavement by the west door is a spot, marked by a bronze star, known as kilomètre zéro, from which all main-road distances in France are calculated.Opposite Notre-Dame, at the far end of the square, steps lead down to the atmospherically lit crypte archéologique (Tues–Sun 10am–6pm; €3.30), worth visiting if you want to know more about the history of the island. This large excavated area under the parvis reveals remains of the original cathedral, as well as vestiges of the streets and houses that once clustered around Notre-Dame: most are medieval, but some date as far back as Gallo-Roman times and include parts of a Roman hypocaust (heating system).
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