Josiane BARBIER, Didier BUSSON, Véronique SOULAY THE ÎLE DE LA CITÉ AND PARIS CATHEDRALS BEFORE NOTRE-DAME (1st ARRONDISSEMENT)

Abstract

Archaeological excavations carried out during the restoration of Notre-Dame de Paris have reignited questions about the cathedrals that preceded it since the 4th century. By gathering and reviewing all available sources (archaeological, textual and topographical), this article summarises what we know about these cathedrals and the Île de la Cité, where they were built. Among other findings, the article reconstructs the layout of the island and traces its evolution, identifies the origins of the cathedral district, and proposes a design and date for the ‘édifice du parvis’ (the building on the forecourt). These hypotheses will undoubtedly be debated when the results of the 2022–2023 excavations are published.

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