Paris Catacombs
Descend into Paris’s eerie underground, home to skeletal remains of over six million people.
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About Catacombs of Paris
Immerse yourself in the intriguing history of the Paris Catacombs, an underground ossuary holding over six million remains. Dating back to the late 18th century, these tunnels, initially a solution to overcrowded cemeteries, now form a vast 300-kilometre maze. Explore the captivating underground labyrinth that has inspired art and literature, including Milan Kundera's "The Unbearable Lightness of Being." Don't miss this unique journey—purchase your tickets now for an unforgettable experience beneath the streets of Paris!
It took 12 years (1786 to 1798) to relocate the remains of six million people into the Catacombs, transforming the former limestone quarries into an ossuary.
Mushroom cultivation was huge in the Catacombs, given the ideal conditions of constant temperature, humidity, and darkness.
Rave parties and movie screenings in the Catacombs have attracted clandestine groups over the years and continue to do so.
Cataphiles (urban explorers of the Catacombs) have created macabre and intricate art installations using bones. This subculture adds a unique, underground artistic dimension to the already eerie atmosphere.
In an audacious heist, robbers once drilled through a wall in the Catacombs to access a Parisian apartment for exquisite wine, highlighting the labyrinth's usage for criminal activities.
Why visit Catacombs of Paris?
Highlights
Citadel De Mahon
Discover a captivating exhibit in the Catacombs crafted by French veteran Decuré. He meticulously recreated the Citadel De Mahon from memory, but tragically, he passed away while building a staircase, and legend has it that his ghost lingers near the sculpture.
The Lower Catacombs
Uncover the secrets of the underground city by venturing into the lower catacombs via a ramp from the upper catacombs. Explore up to five levels of quarries beneath Paris suburbs, including working galleries with scattered skeletal remains.
The Barrel Of Passion
Encounter the mysterious Barrel of Passions, a bone and skull barrel of uncertain origin. It gained notoriety during an underground party in 1897 and is centrally located in the Crypt of Passion area.
The Well
Beyond a spiralling staircase, discover The Well, the first geological drilling in Paris. The water at its end, though unseen due to clarity, led to the engraving "Bain de pieds des Carriers," translating to the Quarrymen's foot bath.
The Ossuary
Experience the eerie Ossuary, the final resting place for millions of Parisians. Witness symmetrical arrangements of ceiling-high bones and skulls, including the macabre Barrel of Passion—a ceiling-high barrel formed from skeletal remains.
Plan your visit
- The Catacombs are open on July 14 (Bastille Day), August 15 (Assumption of Mary), November 1 (All Saints' Day), and November 11 (Armistice Day), although these dates are public holidays in France.
- Closed on: Mondays, January 1 (New Year's Day), May 1 (Labor Day), and December 25 (Christmas).
Toilets are available at the entrance of the Paris Catacombs.
Audioguides are available in English, French, German and Spanish.
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