Gaze down through a sidewalk grate to see remnants of medieval Paris - the last surviving cobblestone roadway from the 12th century.
Why Visit: Catch a literal glimpse of Paris history below foot from 800 years ago.
For Those Who: Enjoy discovering obscure artifacts hidden around the city, appreciate medieval history, look for traces of the past in everyday settings.
Walking along Place du Châtelet, you can peer straight into Paris' medieval past through a sidewalk grate installed over the oldest roadway remnant in the city. Beneath the modern pedestrian feet and traffic, perfectly preserved cobblestones from around 1180 AD come into view.
This surviving stretch of roadway sits several meters below the current street level, showcasing the rise of Paris over centuries of construction. Originally at ground level when installed, the medieval stones escaped burial thanks to a vaulted ceiling below that protected them as the urban layers piled up above across generations.
Gazing down at the well-worn medieval stones connects you visually to those who trod upon that same urban path over 800 years ago—a literal glimpse into history worth pausing for.
What You Need to Know: Jeannot's Floor can be viewed under a marked grate on Place du Châtelet, 1st arrondissement, near the Fontaine du Palmier.
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