Pillar of the Boatmen, Roman monumental column at Musée de Cluny, Paris, France
The Pillar of the Boatmen is a Roman column made of limestone now displayed at the Musée de Cluny in Paris. Its surface carries reliefs and inscriptions that depict Roman gods such as Jupiter alongside Celtic figures.
Workers uncovered the column in 1710 beneath the foundations of Notre-Dame, where it had been reused as building material. The monument dates to the first century AD and stood originally on the left bank of the Seine.
The inscriptions on the monument honor the Nautae Parisiaci, a guild of boatmen who dedicated it to the Roman emperor and Celtic gods together. Such combinations show how both belief systems coexisted in the daily life of the ancient city.
The column stands in the frigidarium of the Musée National du Moyen Âge, also called Thermes de Cluny. Visitors can walk around it to see the reliefs and inscriptions from all sides and study the carved details up close.
The inscription provides the oldest known mention of the Parisii, the Celtic tribe that gave the modern city its name. It is also the oldest surviving structure from Roman times in Paris.
Location: Paris
Made from material: limestone
Website: https://musee-moyenage.fr/collection/oeuvre/pilier-des-nautes.html
GPS coordinates: 48.85056,2.34361
Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:28
Musée de Cluny
20 m
Thermes de Cluny
25 m
Musée Dupuytren
169 m
Cordeliers Convent
169 m
Hôtel de Cluny
45 m
Square Samuel-Paty
74 m
Cluny Museum
35 m
Le Champo - Espace Jacques-Tati
74 m
Jardin du musée de Cluny
49 m
Finnish Institute
38 m
Sundial by Salvador Dalí, Paris
155 m
67 rue Saint-Jacques, Paris
136 m
Monument to Octave Gréard
75 m
Institut Finlandais
45 m
Ancienne académie royale de médecine
135 m
Michel de Montaigne
75 m
Capitoline Wolf
63 m
Hôtel de Foretz
156 m
2 rue de l'École-de-Médecine, Paris
72 m
Fontaine aux roseaux d'argent
57 m
Monument to Pierre Puvis de Chavannes
59 m
45 rue de la Harpe
138 m
15 rue Champollion, Paris
172 m
Chapelle de l'Hôtel de Cluny
32 m
29 rue de la Parcheminerie, Paris
149 m
37 rue de la Harpe, Paris
166 m
35 rue de la Harpe - 24 rue de la Parcheminerie, Paris
170 m
13 rue Champollion, Paris
149 m
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes