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Paris Catacombs offer a fascinating dose of history and secrets beneath the city. If Paris first brings to mind the Eiffel Tower, croissants, and the banks of the Seine glowing in the evening sun, you’re not alone. But did you know that beneath the city lies another, darker, quieter world, where time seems to stand still and history creeps up on you? Welcome to the Paris Catacombs, one of the city’s most fascinating (and slightly creepy) places to visit.

The Paris Catacombs were created when cemeteries became full

Paris Catacombs were something else entirely in the beginning. In fact, the story of the Catacombs begins long before the first bones were moved. During the Roman Empire, Parisians quarried limestone beneath the city for building material. These disused quarries formed a vast underground network hundreds of kilometers long, which later proved useful for a completely different purpose.

In the late 18th century, Paris suffered from a major problem when the cemeteries could no longer accommodate the dead. Millions of bodies had been buried in the same places for centuries, often one on top of the other and in reused tombs. The largest and oldest cemetery, Les Innocents, was so full that the foundations of neighboring houses began to collapse and a stench of disease spread through the air.

Many factors contributed to the rapid filling of the cemeteries. Rapid population growth, recurring epidemics such as plague and smallpox, and wars increased the number of deaths enormously. Gradually, the stench, the polluted water, and the collapsing cellars created a health crisis in the heart of the city. In 1786, a huge and devout operation began, when the remains of millions of deceased people began to be moved to abandoned quarries beneath the city. The transfers were carried out at night, under the direction of the clergy, and over the years, a silent kingdom of death emerged underground.

Paris Catacombs – A Visit to the City of Silence

Paris Catacombs have always been an interesting destination for me because of their dark history, so I was really looking forward to this visit. Paris holds many stories and historical events, so it’s definitely worth delving a little deeper into the city when traveling.

Above us loomed the text: “Arrête ! C’est ici l’empire de la Mort.” – “Stop! This is the kingdom of death.” With these words, a walk into the shadowiest part of Paris’s history begins.

The first step down into the catacombs is like entering another world. The staircase descends deeper and deeper, and suddenly you are more than 20 meters below ground level. There is no city noise here, only the crunching gravel underfoot and the occasional drip from the stone roof. If you wish, you can take an audio guide with you, which will take you through the dark underground corridors moment by moment.

The stone walls reveal carvings, dates and small monuments. We walked the corridors for a while, tense, before finally reaching an open space with a view of the bones. Above us, the text: “Arrête ! C’est ici l’empire de la Mort.” – “Stop! This is the empire of death.” With these words, a walk into the shadowiest part of Paris’s history begins.

There were piles of bones and skulls, arranged in rows. They were not randomly piled up, but carefully, almost artistically arranged. This aesthetic arrangement is largely the work of the city’s quarry engineer, Louis-Étienne Héricart de Thury, who wanted to transform the barren bone warehouse into a respectful monument.

We explored the catacombs at our paste, guided by the audio guide. There were a few other tourists and a school group wandering the corridors with us. To think that schoolchildren could get to know such interesting history here on their school trip. The group was making a bit too much noise, so we decided to meander away from it.

Paris Catacombs were first opened to visitors in the 19th century, first privately, then increasingly widely. They fascinated writers such as Victor Hugo and Charles Baudelaire, and they continue to inspire films, books and urban legends. Some of the tunnels are still in secret use today, when so-called cataphiles, or illegal adventurers, explore the forbidden areas by torchlight. We would have been interested in a little secret adventure in the tunnels too, but having watched so many horror movies about the place, it wouldn’t have been a good idea. Who knows what we would have encountered and with our luck the flashlight would have broken, just like in horror movies.

WHY VISIT THE CATACOMBS?

Paris Catacombs are not just a historical site. They make you think about life, time, and history in a new way. They are also the perfect counterpoint to the superficial glitz and mundane attractions of Paris. After admiring Notre-Dame, nibbling on macarons, and making discoveries in the alleys of Montmartre, the Catacombs offer something deeper, literally.

Tips for the Catacombs and good to know:

• Buy your ticket in advance! The catacombs are a popular attraction and the number of visitors is limited.
• Bring long sleeves or a jacket, as it is always a bit chilly more than 20 meters below the ground.
• Bring good shoes, as there is a lot of walking in the tunnels.
• The place is not accessible. The tunnels are only accessible via narrow spiral staircases, and there are quite a few of them, so a moderate level of fitness is essential.
• Not for the claustrophobic. The tunnels are deep underground and are partly shallow and cramped. This is hardly the place you want to have a panic attack.
• You are not allowed to touch the bones. If you break these ancient bones, the fine will be in the five figures.
• Take an audio guide or a guided tour for the best experience. Just staring at the bones as such does not necessarily give the same experience as hearing the background information and history.

CHECK OUT THE GUIDED TOURS AND GET YOUR TICKETS TO THE CATACOMBS HERE:

HAVE YOU BEEN TO THE PARIS CATACOMBS? SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS AND EXPERIENCES BELOW! 🙂

<3: Tiina Johanna

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*Photos: Tiina Johanna, blogger