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The catacombs serve as a powerful reminder of death and the passage of time. The stark display of human remains encourages reflection on mortality, the impermanence of life, and the legacy we leave behind.
The Paris Catacombs have been open to the public as a macabre tourist attraction since 1809, but for security purposes, the official tour covers only a small section of the vast network.
One of the most famous sections is the "Crypt of the Sepulchral Lamp," or the "Bone Room," where bones are stacked from the floor to the ceiling.
The catacombs have also been featured in various films, including horror and adventure genres. It can be argued that the eerie ambiance and labyrinthine layout make them an ideal setting for suspenseful and thrilling stories.
The tunnels of the catacombs stretch nearly 200 miles (322 km), although much of it is strictly off-limits. However, that doesn’t always stop urban explorers who can’t resist the temptation of the tomb.
Urban explorers, known as "cataphiles," often venture illegally into the off-limits sections of the catacombs so that they can map unexplored areas, host secret parties, and even create art installations in the dark tunnels.
The underground world of Paris hosts a unique ecosystem, with some sections teeming with life adapted to the dark, humid conditions. Researchers have discovered rare fungi and bacteria that contribute to the biological diversity of these underground caverns.
The main entrance to the catacombs is located in the 14th arrondissement of Paris, while the catacombs lie nearly a mile belowground. The entrance to the underground necropolis is actually marked with the words: “Arrête! C’est ici l’empire de la mort—Halt! This is the empire of death.”
Throughout the catacombs, visitors can encounter various inscriptions and carvings on the walls that include poems, reflections on mortality, and reminders of the fragility of life.
During World War II, the catacombs played a strategic role. The French Resistance used them as a hideout and base of operations, while the Nazis also established underground bunkers within the catacombs.
Beyond bones, the catacombs are also a canvas for graffiti and modern art. Urban explorers and artists are always trying to leave their marks in the labyrinth. It creates a truly strange blend of the ancient and contemporary.
As Paris’s cemeteries became overcrowded in the late 18th century, many people began questioning where the dead could be buried. The solution became clear: they could be buried in the vast network of underground tunnels and rooms beneath Paris that were initially limestone quarries.
Some urban legends claim that those who venture too deep into the catacombs risk becoming lost forever. These stories, whether true or exaggerated, contribute to the mystique and cautionary allure surrounding this world beneath Paris.
Before the decision was made to bury the dead here, the quarry network (pictured) was unstable and at risk of collapse. In 1774, a sinkhole appeared on a street in the middle of Paris and engulfed a series of houses.
Many efforts have been made to preserve the catacombs, subway, and sewer systems, although this is an ongoing challenge.
Sources: (National Geographic) (History.com) (The Paris Pass) (Les Catacombes de Paris)
Nestled along the Métro route is also the ghost station of Saint-Martin, which has fallen to disuse and graffiti since the station was closed in 2008. Interestingly, the station has been home to bees since the 1980s.
The catacombs aren’t the only tunnels that can be found beneath the metropolis of Paris. Indeed, the Métropolitain subway network has been a crucial part of Parisian life since the first line was opened in 1900.
The Métro's architecture is iconic, with Art Nouveau entrances designed by Hector Guimard. These entrances, with their distinctive green arches and ornate lettering, are a hallmark of Parisian design.
Even the copper-lined Arts et Métiers station resembles the inside of a submarine, as if it was pulled straight out of Jules Verne’s ‘Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.’
The sewer is also one of the many worlds that can be found lurking under Paris. During the Universal Exhibition in 1867, visitors often frequented the sewers in boats due to some morbid fascination.
The streets of Paris were once filled with sewage, but after a six-month cholera epidemic claimed the lives of some 19,000 Parisians in 1832, a modernization program was launched to transform Paris’s sewer system into the ordered assemblage it is today.
Even the famous French writer Victor Hugo mentioned the sewers in his 1862 novel ‘Les Misérables.’ He spoke of the sewers as a Paris beneath Paris, and the book’s hero also flees his nemesis through the winding passageways that have historically been used by real-life criminals.
Part of the sewer system is open to the public through the Paris Sewer Museum (Musée des Égouts de Paris). Visitors can explore this underground world and learn about the history and functionality of the sewers.
The sewers are considered an engineering marvel, featuring vaulted ceilings, large pipelines, and a system that allows for efficient wastewater management. The design also facilitates maintenance and inspection.
The sewers play a crucial role in preventing floods by channeling rainwater away from the streets and into the Seine. This system helps protect the city from water damage during heavy rains.
Bones and skulls are arranged in artistic patterns, such as hearts and crosses, making the catacombs not just a resting place but also a gallery of macabre art. These arrangements were designed to respect and honor the dead.
Between 1786 and 1788, millions of bones were transferred to the catacombs from various cemeteries, including the infamous Holy Innocents' Cemetery (pictured). This mass relocation turned the catacombs into the world's largest grave, holding the remains of over six million people.
The Parisian sewers extend for 1,662 miles (2,675 km), which is the equivalent of making two round trips between Paris and Marseille.
Many other sinkholes appeared over the years, until King Louis XVI (pictured) ordered new cemeteries to be built outside of Paris. The overcrowded cemeteries were ultimately condemned, the bodies exhumed, and then transferred to the catacombs that were inspired by those found in Rome.
It's a rather ironic juxtaposition that the City of Life sits on top of a city of death and darkness. The French capital of Paris is a thriving metropolis of culture and history, but the catacombs that stretch in a labyrinth beneath the city are a testament to the macabre side of that culture and history.
Curious? Click through this gallery to see what exactly lies beneath the streets of Paris.
The secret underground world of Paris
Explore the city that’s nestled beneath the city
TRAVEL History
It's a rather ironic juxtaposition that the City of Life sits on top of a city of death and darkness. The French capital of Paris is a thriving metropolis of culture and history, but the catacombs that stretch in a labyrinth beneath the city are a testament to the macabre side of that culture and history.
Curious? Click through this gallery to see what exactly lies beneath the streets of Paris.