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Arènes de Lutèce, the Roman amphitheatre of Paris
The Arènes de Lutèce in the 5th — free entry, hours of the square in October 2026, how many it held, who dug it out, entrances on rue Monge, metro access and hotels at the gate. Checked October 2026.
A Roman arena in a city square
The Arènes de Lutèce are the amphitheatre of Roman Lutetia, built in the first century and rediscovered in the nineteenth. Today the stone terraces enclose a small public park in the Latin Quarter. You enter from rue Monge, at no. 49, or from rue des Arènes and the square Capitan, and nothing is charged.
Photo: Shadowgate, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The rediscovery came with the cutting of rue Monge. Théodore Vacquer excavated the arena from 1870; the site was cleared in 1883 and listed as a historic monument in 1884, and Capitan dug again in 1915. The square that bears his name followed in 1918.
How big it was
Two estimates exist. Camille Jullian’s calculation of 1922 gives about 15,944 spectators; with Jules Formigé he had proposed 17,000 four years earlier.
Photo: Chris Waits, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Using it today
You are in a public square, not a monument with a ticket office. Children play ball on the terraces, there is a playground, and the City of Paris lists drinking-water points and a book-exchange box. The only constraint is the hours, which follow the seasons: in October 2026, 8 a.m. to 7.30 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. at weekends. We keep the date because the City changes them.
Photo: Guilhem Vellut, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A place for a hotel stay
Of the 110 hotels in our data, the nearest to the amphitheatre is the Hôtel des Arènes, about 42 metres away as the crow flies, measured to the point we hold for the arena; the Hôtel Monge is 45 metres, the Hôtel des Nations Saint-Germain 68 metres, the Best Western Quartier Latin Panthéon and the Hôtel Saint-Christophe 163 metres each, and the Hôtel des Grandes Écoles 176 metres. The block below lists the others within a few minutes’ walk.
A little further, the place de la Contrescarpe is about 260 metres away; the wider area is covered in our guide to hotels near rue Mouffetard.
History and distinctive features
- The arena could hold about 15,944 spectators by Camille Jullian’s calculation of 1922; Jullian and Jules Formigé had estimated 17,000 in 1918. Source : fr.wikipedia.org
- Rediscovered when rue Monge was cut through, the arena was excavated by Théodore Vacquer from 1870 and again by Capitan in 1915; the square Capitan dates from 1918. Source : fr.wikipedia.org
- The monument has been listed as a historic monument since 1884. Source : fr.wikipedia.org
- The square has a playground, drinking-water points and a book-exchange box, according to the City of Paris. Source : paris.fr
Hotels near the Arènes de Lutèce
Other hotels
- Hôtel des Arènes ★★★ 1 min walk · 50 m
- Hôtel Monge ★★★★ 1 min walk · 50 m
- Hôtel des Nations Saint Germain ★★★ 1 min walk · 100 m
- Hôtel Saint-Christophe ★★★ 3 min walk · 200 m
- Best Western Quartier Latin Panthéon ★★★ 3 min walk · 200 m
- Hôtel des Grandes Écoles ★★★ 3 min walk · 250 m
- Hôtel du Jardin des Plantes ★★★ 3 min walk · 250 m
- Paris Art Hotel ★★★ 4 min walk · 350 m
Within 450 m as the crow flies, nearest first. Walking times are estimates: straight-line distance × 1.3, at 80 metres a minute, to the station, not to a specific exit.
Frequently asked questions
Are the Arènes de Lutèce free?
Yes. The square is open and free, with no ticket and no booking.
What are the opening hours of the Arènes de Lutèce?
From 1 to 24 October 2026, 8 a.m. to 7.30 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 7.30 p.m. at weekends. The hours change with the season.
How old are the Arènes de Lutèce?
The amphitheatre of Lutetia dates from the first century. It was cleared in 1883 and listed as a historic monument in 1884.
How many people did the Arènes de Lutèce hold?
About 15,944 by Camille Jullian’s calculation of 1922. In 1918, Jullian and Jules Formigé had put it at 17,000.
Where is the entrance to the Arènes de Lutèce?
At 49 rue Monge, or by rue des Arènes (no. 4) and the square Capitan.
Can children play there?
The square has a playground, and children play ball on the terraces of the arena, according to Wikipedia.
Which metro station is nearest?
Cardinal Lemoine on line 10, about 176 metres away, then Jussieu (lines 7 and 10), about 219 metres, and Place Monge (line 7), about 253 metres.