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| The museum told the story of the development of Paris's water system |
You really should - the sewers are a tiny bit malodorous but it’s one of the best history lessons about the developing Paris. The Paris sewers have been a tourist attraction since the mid 1800s when tours were first offered - people walked, were taken in carts and even floated through on boats!
The system grew like topsy over a millenia always lagging behind population growth. It is now a giant network containing water pipes (drinking and non drinking), compressed air, control and fibre optic cables and lots more.
Over time the sewers have provided fertile material for a number of writers - think Victor Hugo, Les Miserables and Fathom of the Opera. All based on knowledge of the actual sewers.
Going way back to the earliest days of Paris, in C1st BC the Parisii (a Gallic people) lived on an island in the Seine - Ile de la Cite - and spread up the slopes of St Geneviève’s hill; the right bank was uninhabited marsh land. At that time and for centuries, people drew their water from the Seine and waste water was released into the surrounding fields or on its the streets to find its way back to the river.
By the C14th, Paris had grown to be the largest city in Europe with a population of 200,000. And the first covered sewer (300m) was built by Hugues Aubriot - to protect the people from the pestilential odours! Yet still the waste went into the Seine.
Over the centuries, as the population continued to expand, cholera and plague were deadly, consequent epidemics - not to mention deteriorating water quality. Then there was the unpleasant smell! The sewer system was finally completely covered in early 1900s - but the pollution problem was shifted downstream to Clichy. People along the river started moving out as the methane bubbles caused by the pollution reached 1 metre in diameter!! Sacre bleu. Solution - create a ‘Werribee’ to filter and purify the waste.
Today Paris’s 2000 odd Km sewer system is evidently the only one of its kind in the world. Seems like it’s working pretty well, apart from the occasional unpleasant choking cloud of leaking sewer pipes! and while many of its wonderful water fountains still exist, one is still reluctant to drink the water!!
We got there by Batobus hopping off at Eiffel Tower wharf and walking back to Alma Bridge. Or you can take the Metro to the Alma-Marceau stop, cross the bridge to the left bank and look for the large blue sign on the left. You purchase your ticket at a small kiosk ~€4.50 and the entrance is right there. Enjoy!
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| This man was one of the design engineers |
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| The entrance is near the Eiffel Tower |
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