The Catacombs of Paris

Did you know that there is a massive tunnel labyrinth hidden beneath Paris, where millions of deceased individuals are laid to rest? Ancient skulls and bones, narrow passageways, and not a hint of daylight in sight. Join us in the Catacombs of Paris, the mysterious realm of the dead beneath the earth.

As you stroll through the city of love, you're simultaneously walking over the remains of more than six million deceased Parisians. Deep beneath the ground lies the Paris Catacombs, a network of tunnels extending over 300 kilometers. Skulls and bones are on display in the ancient passages, and occasionally, you might hear stories of those who gained access to the catacombs and never saw daylight again. What the eerie tunnels beneath the streets of Paris entail and how you can visit the realm of the dead can be found in my article.

The Catacombs of Paris have existed for many years. The underground tunnels stretch for about 300 kilometers and were used as ossuaries in the 19th century. Approximately six million deceased Parisians are housed here, making the catacombs the largest ossuary in the world. There are many horror stories about the Paris underground. Tales of 'Cataphiles,' who illegally venture into the abyss out of curiosity and exploration, of researchers seeking to map the tunnel network without permits, as well as criminals, addicts, and Satanists who roam down there.

The first tunnels under Paris were created around 2,000 years ago. At that time, stone, clay, and other materials were mined from beneath the city for construction purposes. Over the years, numerous quarries and tunnels emerged, totaling about 300 kilometers in length.

However, after significant collapses of streets and buildings occurred, the quarries were closed. By the end of the 18th century, Paris had grown into a large, densely populated city. Diseases and hunger took many lives, and soon the space in Parisian cemeteries was no longer sufficient. Corpses were often found only half-buried on the surface, a stench of decay filled the air, and the toxic gases from decomposing bodies severely affected the residents of the city. Thus, in 1785, it was decided to transfer the deceased into the gloomy tunnels beneath the city. Regular burials continued there until 1859, with their mortal remains still resting there today.

Authors like Patrick Süskind, Victor Hugo, and many others vividly described the conditions in Paris in their works. Poverty, hunger, and diseases characterized the image of the city.

The majority of the Paris Catacombs are closed to the public and cannot be visited. This is partly due to the risk of collapse from the old shafts and partly to maintain the peace of the buried deceased and to prevent damage. Some parts of the catacombs have even been repurposed. The city laid pipes and lines in the tunnels, and the French National Bank even stores its gold reserves there. However, a section of about 1.5 kilometers of the catacombs is accessible to visitors and grants entry to the realm of the dead.

The Catacombs are among the most popular sights in Paris. A roughly 1.5-kilometer-long tunnel underground is open for tourists. You can enter it at Place Denfert-Rochereau, where you can descend 20 meters into the earth. There, you can read various informational panels about the history of the quarries and the use of the tunnels as an ossuary, seeing the ancient bones with your own eyes. This is not for the faint of heart!

The bones are already arranged in geometric shapes from the 18th and 19th centuries; expect to see walls made of skulls or statues constructed from hip and leg bones. When you pass through the gate with the inscription 'Arrête! C'est ici l'Empire de la Mort!' which translates to 'Stop! Here lies the Empire of the Dead,' you will surely feel a rather oppressive sensation. After about an hour, you will reach the other end of the tunnel and exit the museum on Rue Rémy Dumoncel.

If you dare to descend into the Paris catacombs, make sure to bring enough time with you.

To protect the fragile bones and skulls underground, a maximum of 200 people can be in the two-kilometer-long tunnel at the same time. This results in extremely long wait times of between two to four hours for about 30,000 visitors daily. Recently, the museum has also started offering skip-the-line tickets. Although priced at €31 per person, these are considerably more expensive than regular tickets, they truly save you from very long wait times. The temperature underground in Paris is about 14 degrees Celsius year-round, and it can also get quite dusty. Therefore, you should not wear your best or lightest clothing. Additionally, make sure not to bring large bags or suitcases, as these are not allowed to protect the catacombs. If you're appropriately prepared, there is nothing standing in the way of your excursion into the realm of the dead.

Good to know: People with a disability card can visit the catacombs for free and without waiting; however, there is no access available for those with mobility impairments.

In the 2014 horror film 'As Above, So Below,' some teenagers venture into the catacombs of Paris and experience a nightmare come true.

There are ongoing spooky stories about black masses held in the dark tunnels and people who retreat into the underground for days. But how much truth is there to the numerous horror stories? Indeed, there are some 'Cataphiles,' or catacomb enthusiasts, who regularly gain illegal access to the vast tunnel network. However, they are often just curious youngsters. In the 1980s, there were some riots and illegal parties in the catacombs; since then, the police patrol there daily. Nevertheless, due to the size of the underground passages, some curious individuals still manage to sneak into the catacombs. Whether there is any truth to horror stories about satanic circles and missing persons is hard to say. However, it is a given that it is not safe to be down there. Many passages are filled with groundwater, the risk of getting lost is high, and occasionally stones fall from the ceiling. The catacombs are, therefore, justifiably inaccessible, with few exceptions.

In 2004, the police accidentally discovered a fully equipped cinema in the catacombs, complete with seating, a projector, a bar, and even connections to the city's power and telephone network. Even a surveillance camera and a motion detector were installed. When the police returned shortly thereafter with a special unit, the cinema had vanished. They only found a note reading 'Don't look for us!'

When thinking of the City of Love, people likely do not first think of the realm of the dead beneath the streets. The catacombs are definitely quite a contrast to the romantic streets of the city. Would you dare descend 20 meters underground to see the remains of millions of deceased individuals with your own eyes? Do you find this type of sightseeing too macabre, or is it an exciting venture for you? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments. Whether or not the catacombs are to your liking, Paris is always worth a visit and has so much to offer! In my city trips, you can find the best deals for your trip to Paris.