Welcome to the Paris Catacombs, a maze-like environment beneath the city’s cobblestone streets that weaves mystery, history, and horror tales. These underground tunnels give a spooky look into the past that is fascinating and offensive, with almost six million skeletons lying in its ghostly embrace.
Travelers looking for unique Parisian experiences may find it strange to explore the underground in a city known for its art, food, and beauty.
We will discuss what lies beneath the surface and if this underground journey is a once-in-a-lifetime experience or just a disturbing side trip while visiting the capital of France.
Are the Catacombs Worth It? Let’s Discuss!
Discovering the Paris Catacombs is like opening a time capsule that takes you to a complex underworld rich in intrigue and history. With an estimated six million bones, visitors are frequently fascinated by the moving stories they tell. Paris’s dramatic history spans from the Middle Ages to revolutions and epidemics. It is chronicled in every skull and femur, provoking reflection on mortality, legacy, and the essence of human existence.
Brief History of the Paris Catacombs
The Paris Catacombs are a troubling reminder of Paris’s rich historical tapestry beneath the city’s busy streets. These underground tunnels were originally Roman quarries that were used for other purposes. In the late 1700s, the overcrowding in the cemetery next door led to the new use of the tunnels. Concerns about public health increased, mainly when mass graves split into areas, and local leaders looked for a more dignified place for the dead to rest. In a horrific yet lyrical response to life and urban development, almost six million Parisians’ bones were carefully moved to this underground ossuary between 1786 and 1814.
The history of the Paris Catacombs begins in the Middle Ages and extends many years. When Paris was much smaller and centered around the islands in the Seine, stone mining started in the 1100s.
The regions outside Paris served as stone quarries, primarily quarrying limestone for Parisian building construction. Tunnels and quarries were constructed for these limestone quarries across the entire rural area.
When the excavation was completed in the 1700s, several remaining tunnels were strengthened to avoid cave-ins. In the mid-1700s, the cemeteries in Paris were also experiencing a severe crisis; they were overflowing in many cases, producing foul odors and health problems.
The Saint-Innocents cemetery, which was by far the largest in Paris, was closed in 1780. The 2 million buried there were discovered, and their bones and remains were thrown into the now-vacant quarry tunnels beginning in 1786.
Above-ground funerals were essentially banned in Paris as more cemeteries quickly followed suit. Most of the bones were moved over the first two years, although regular bone movements continued until 1814, and the last set of bones was deposited in 1859.
Can You Legally Visit the Paris Catacombs?
Visiting the Paris Catacombs is a unique experience of mystery, intrigue, and history. Despite what many people think, you can legally explore parts of this enormous underground tunnel. While keeping to safety requirements that enable both legal access and preservation efforts for this delicate environment, the official tours provide tourists with a fascinating peek into the rich history of these historic burial locations. The organization of these journeys often surprises visitors; as you go down the dark passageways littered with bones, your guide will share intriguing stories about Paris’s history over time.
How to Buy Tickets
There are two ways to explore the Paris Catacombs: take a self-guided trip or join a guided tour.
Tickets for the pair Catacombs self-guided tours are unavailable on-site and must be obtained in advance. Purchase yours as soon as the window opens, as tickets sell out quickly and are only available seven days in advance to avoid resale.
You can also reserve a place on a guided trip much further in advance, securing your location in the Paris Catacombs.
Guided Tour vs Self-Guided Visit
In addition to a few extras, the guided tour has all of the features of the self-guided tour. Let’s begin by discussing what it’s like to explore the pairs of catacombs on your own.
What a Self-Guided Tour of the Paris Catacombs is Like
A self-guided tour of the Paris Catacombs allows guests to explore at their relaxation and provides an immersive, mysterious, and historical experience. A quiet that envelops you like a cloak replaces the din of the bustling city life above as you drop into the cold underground tunnel. The sound of footsteps sends against the old stone walls, decorated with strange yet alluring ossuary arrangements, exposing the skeleton remains of more than six million Parisians—a terrible reminder of both life and death.
Although tickets for self-guided entry are timed, there may still be a wait because only 200 individuals are permitted into the Paris catacombs.
You can rent an audio tour before going down; it costs €5 and is a very useful addition.
Large or leg bones are visible along the path and placed orderly and artistically. Smaller bones were thrown more randomly toward the back of the stacks, as you can see. Skulls are frequently utilized as “decoration,” sometimes creating heart-shaped patterns among the rows of bones.
Interestingly, the tunnels are a winding maze with plenty of twists, turns, and nooks as you pass the bones rather than a well-drawn-out grid.
There are educational signs regarding the history and construction methods at the entrance to the Paris catacombs.
As you navigate the tunnels with the audioguide, you’ll discover more about the background of the Paris catacombs.
You might find out about some famous individuals buried in the catacombs toward the end. Such these are:
- Moliere –famous French poet and dramatist
- Lavoisier – French chemist who organized the periodic table and found that water is composed of two elements
- Jean de la Fontaine – Famous French poet
- Robespierre –An essential figure in the French Revolution, especially during the Reign of Terror, when the majority of beheadings occurred
- Nicholas Fouquet –A lord from France who constructed the stunning Vaux le Vicomte château near Paris
The original shaft where bones were first thrown into these tunnels can be seen when you glance up just before you exit the catacombs and return to the surface via the spiral staircase.
Then, descend the little circular staircase’s 112 steps to exit the catacombs and reach the surface again.
What a Guided Tour of the Paris Catacombs is Like
Entering the Paris Catacombs feels like entering a time capsule, with history trickling down the softly lighted tunnels. The air gets progressively colder, and a seductive mixture of excitement and fear permeates as your guide takes you further below the surface. Ancient limestone walls shimmer with the gentle light of lanterns, illuminating elaborate carvings and long-forgotten inscriptions that recount life stories in ancient periods. Every step was rich with tales of the city’s growth, from a bustling municipality to a haven for bones when the land above could no longer hold them.
One minor benefit was that the guide brought an iPad loaded with various images and maps to help highlight the different historical accounts and stories we covered.
After that, we strolled through the deserted tunnels and descended into the Port-Mahon Corridor, an area of the Paris catacombs that is “secret” and accessible only to tour groups.
Port-Mahon Corridor
The Port-Mahon Corridor offers a distinctive tapestry of history linked with natural beauty, but it is frequently disregarded in favor of more conventional travel routes. This corridor, tucked away between jagged cliffs and blue waters, is an essential route for marine traffic and presents amazing scenery that tempts those seeking adventure.
Adventurers can find traces of past civilizations here, from Roman ruins to fortresses that attest to years of capturing, a history carved into the very rock of this Mediterranean jewel.
The Holy Crypt And Altar
The altar and Holy Crypt are potent representations of the meeting point of the divine and human beings. Crypts frequently contain relics—the remains of saintly people whose lives remain significant even after decades. This subterranean sanctuary encourages reflection by reminding believers of their mortality, sacrifice, and the everlasting hope of resurrection. These riches are surrounded by stone walls that tell unspoken tales of a state of transcendence, faith, and devotion.
Although the last mass was conducted here in 1950, this was a burial place, and the Paris catacombs were regarded as hallowed, consecrated territory.
Near the Holy Crypt is the location of the first remains ever placed in the Paris Catacombs from the Saint-Innocents cemetery. A plaque marks this noteworthy spot.
You’ll notice plaques regularly in the Paris catacombs marking what cemetery those particular bones came from.
1800’s Decorative Entrance
When the remains were transferred from Parisian cemeteries to the underground tunnels during the 1770s, they were typically arranged awkwardly around the passageways.
In the early 1800s, Napoleon instructed Inspector Héricart de Thury to tidy, arrange, and decorate the tombs specifically to entertain guests, having been inspired by the catacombs in Rome.
Along with him, many ornamental plaques and monuments were placed, and the bones were arranged with care and artistry. The Paris catacombs also have a stunning arched entrance.
Guided Tour vs Self-Guided Tour: Which Option is Better?
Having been to the Paris Catacombs using both methods, I can attest that they are fantastic choices.
A self-guided tour allows you to see more of the site in less than an hour, which is advantageous if you are pressed for time in Paris.
The central catacombs area remains accessible. Informative placards are placed at the beginning and end of the tunnels, and if you opt for an audioguide, you will learn specific historical facts.
The guided tour lets you visit the Paris catacombs’ private areas, offering a far more thorough experience. In addition to hearing many entertaining tales and anecdotes, you’ll get a far deeper history education.
If you have the opportunity (about two hours), the guided tour is well worth it because I found it intriguing to learn about the history and see the other areas of the catacomb.
How to Get There
The 14th arrondissement of Paris’ 1, Avenue du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy, serves as the entrance to the Paris Catacombs. This site is not very close to any other major Parisian site and is far south of the Seine.
The metro station Denfert-Rochereau, accessible via Lines 4 and 6 and RER B, is near the catacombs’ entrance.
Several bus stops in the area can take you to the catacombs.
I suggest utilizing Google Maps and navigating to the public transit page to determine the exact route to reach the catacombs via public transportation. This will provide you with detailed directions from your selected starting point.
The catacombs are so far south that you should allow ample time to arrive. From the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower, and the Louvre, it takes roughly 25 minutes to reach there; from Sacré Coeur, it takes 40 minutes, and from the Jardin de Luxembourg, it takes 15 minutes.
Plan to arrive 10 to 15 minutes early if you’re taking a guided tour, as the tours depart from the meeting place precisely on schedule.
FAQS: Paris Catacombs
Touch Nothing and Take Nothing With You
No bone or anything found in the catacombs may be handled or removed. When you emerge from the tunnels, a worker will inspect your bags to ensure nothing has come to the surface with you from below. Removing bones may result in jail time or a fine of €15,000.
What are the opening hours of Pair Catacombs?
The Catacombs are open Tuesday through Sunday from 8:30 p.m. to 9.45 a.m. On Monday, the entire website is closed. It is open year-round except for January 1, May 1, and December 25.
How Long Does It Take to See the Catacombs?
Guided excursions run for two hours because you hear more stories and see more private areas. Typically, a self-guided tour lasts between 45 and 1 hour. The guided tour path is slightly longer, at around 2 km (1.5 miles), than the 1.5 km (about 1 mile) self-guided walking option.
Entrance and Exit Are in Different Spots
Because there is only one path, you will depart the catacombs at a spot different from where you started. The 1 Avenue du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy entrance is just a 7-minute walk from the exit at 21 bis Avenue René-Coty.
Temperature in the Catacombs
The catacombs are generally chilly and stable, with an average temperature of between 10°C and 14°C (50°F and 57°F).
Are the Catacombs Scary?
Different people experience terror in various ways. While some find the Catacombs fascinating, others may find the dark, cramped spaces and bones unsettling.
Will I Feel Claustrophobic?
The catacombs are 20 meters or 65 feet below the surface. The high walls of the tunnels are quite low, and the spiral stairway leading down is relatively short. Because the ceilings were close together, and I am a tall woman (6’0″ or 182 cm), I occasionally had to duck my head a little. All in all, it was easy to navigate through the corridors.
Want to Visit Other Notable Tombs and Graves in Paris?
The Père Lachaise Cemetery is pleasant to stroll through and features elaborate headstones and above-ground tombs.
The Pantheon, a stunning hidden gem in Paris’s Latin Quarter, has an underground crypt that houses the tombs of prominent French philosophers, poets, artists, scientists, and military figures.
Is It Worth Visiting the Paris Catacombs?
Yes, without a doubt. If you have over a few days in Paris, it’s worth the effort to tour this underground maze of bones. The catacombs are such an exciting and unusual site to see.