[It is] the capital of the Parisii people. It is a small island lying in the river; a wall entirely surrounds it, and wooden bridges lead to it on both sides. The river seldom rises and falls, but is usually the same depth in the winter as in the summer season, and it provides water which is very clear to the eye and very pleasant for one who wishes to drink. For since the inhabitants live on an island they have to draw their water chiefly from the river. The winter too is rather mild there, perhaps from the warmth of the ocean which is not more than 900 stades distant, and it may be that a slight breeze from the water is wafted thus far … A good kind of vine grows thereabouts and some individuals have even managed to make fig-trees grow by covering them in winter … to protect them from the cold wind.

Emperor Julian, AD 361

Map of Roman Paris

Grid layout of Roman Paris

Reconstruction of Roman Paris from Seine River to Ste-Geneviève hill

Arènes de Lutèce

Arènes de Lutèce

Arènes de Lutècepresent-day location

Cluny baths, from street

Cluny baths

Boatmen’s Pillar (2nd century AD)

Ile de la Cité under the Romans

Coin showing Emperor Julian II, minted in Paris in AD 360-63

Abbey St-Denis and St-Denis

Ste-Geneviève of Paris

Church of Ste-Geneviève (1552)

Statue of Ste-Geneviève, Pont de la Tournelle

Clovis and his baptism