A Gallic rampart, potentially one of the most significant archaeological finds related to the origins of Paris, was discovered this summer beneath the Hôtel-Dieu on the Île de la Cité, near Notre-Dame Cathedral. The Ministry of Culture announced the discovery on Wednesday, September 23, stating that the 20-meter-long wall, made of stone and wood, could be a fragment of the ancient ramparts of Lutetia. Lutetia was the name of the Gallic settlement that Julius Caesar referenced in his writings about the Roman conquest of the region in 52 BCE. The rampart’s location has long been debated, with some theories suggesting it was in Nanterre, west of Paris, rather than on the Île de la Cité. The discovery is seen as a "major advancement" in understanding the early history of Paris. The rampart, found during excavations that began in February, is thought to date back to the Gallo-Roman period, between 200 BCE and 10 BCE. It may provide the first direct link between modern Paris, the ancient Roman settlement of Lutetia, and the Gallic Lutetia described by Caesar. The wall also shows signs of fire, which could correspond to Caesar’s account that the Gauls set fire to their structures before the Battle of Lutetia. However, while carbon dating suggests the fire occurred during the Iron Age, it does not yet confirm it was from the 52 BCE battle. The Île de la Cité, home to Notre-Dame Cathedral, has long been considered the heart of ancient Lutetia. Recent archaeological finds, including a fourth-century coin and 14th-century tombs, have added to the island’s historical significance. The discovery of this rampart could finally resolve one of the oldest questions in Paris’s history: where exactly Lutetia was located. Further studies will be conducted to confirm its function and precise timeline. The Ministry of Culture, along with the City of Paris Archaeological Service and the National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research (Inrap), plans to create a mold of the wall in the coming weeks. This will allow for the reconstruction of a section of the rampart using original stones, which will eventually be displayed in a Paris museum. The findings are part of a broader effort to preserve and showcase the city’s ancient heritage as part of the hospital’s ongoing restructuring.