The Ile de la Cite is a very important site in Paris, France. Of course, the splendid cathedral of Notre Dame is the thing that pops out immediately out of your mind. Another is the "
heart of Paris" located on the grounds right before the Gothic church. (If you go to Paris and drop by Notre Dame, remember to look for the "star." If you step on it, you can finally say that you have been at the center or zero point of the French capital). Yet, a third and very significant attraction at the heart of Paris is the ancient settlement of the earliest people of France.
Paris, formerly called as "Lutetia," is a city of more than 2,000 years of age. The earliest people of Paris were called Gauls, who settled between 250-200BC at an island of the Seine River that is now called Ile de la Cite. The Gauls were eventually driven away and buildings were constructed one after the other over their original village. The latest and current structure to stand over the
ancient settlement is the Notre Dame Cathedral.
The early village of the Gauls is perhaps unknown to many visitors of the island. In fact, I only discovered the archeological attraction out of curiosity when I noticed a stairway at the corner of the square in front of the cathedral. The stairway did not belong to a metro, so I decided to check it out only to find Paris' earliest historic site. Of course, anyone who is interested to see the
archeological attraction must pay a few Euros. Yet, a few coins are also worth seeing the earliest village of the city. Believe me, you're going to be surprised at how the ancient houses and streets of the Gauls look like.
With its characteristic variance, and its time-old customs and heritage, Alsace is a region sure to be featured whenever the French talk about their culture, gastronomy, history and art.With a surprise around every corner, surely this is a land of advent
Tracked: Jul 22, 07:53