We know what you’re thinking. Who in their right mind would want to descend to the deepest depths of the city (20m, or 65ft) to see human remains? Surprisingly, over 550,000 people every year! The Paris Catacombs have a fascinating history that dates back to ancient times and is the final resting place of over 6 million Parisians.
Dive in, we're about to uncover the origin of the Paris Catacombs and how it came to be an underground ossuary.
Ancient Quarries
Paris has historically been rich in natural resources including sand, sandstone, gypsum, clay, and limestone. Since the ancient Roman occupation, these were mined and used as building materials. Though abandoned for a while, mining restarted in the Middle Ages due to the construction of the city fortifications and fortresses.
As demand increased, the network of mines expanded underneath the city but were not properly regulated by authorities. The dry stone support pillars were not adequate. Subsequently, the Paris quarries were closed by decree in 1776 due to numerous, disastrous cave-ins and entire buildings falling through the earth.
Le Catacombes de Paris
The French catacombs, especially Le Catacombes de Paris, represent a significant part of the city's underground heritage. These historic tunnels offer a unique perspective on Paris' past and are a testament to the city's ability to repurpose its subterranean spaces for various needs over centuries.
Covering a vast area, the Paris Catacombs stretches over approximately 280 kilometers (about 174 miles). However, only a small portion of this network is open to the public. The catacombs extend deep beneath the city streets and represent one of the largest grave sites in the world.
Saints Innocents Cemetery and King Louis XVI
Saints Innocents was a Parisian cemetery that dates back to the 5th century. It was located in the central part of Paris, in what is now Les Halles. During the Middle Ages, burials traditionally took place on the consecrated ground surrounding churches. Life and death were closely linked and in direct proximity. For example, the marketplace was located near the church property.
Even in Medieval times, Parisian burial space was a real commodity. The rich could afford crypts within the church itself, and the poor were often relegated to mass graves. The only problem? The mass graves began overflowing. Enter the charnel house...
The Danse Macabre
To help with the overcrowding problem, gravediggers would remove the fully decomposed corpses; essentially the bones, and move them to the charnel house. Yes, the bones were visible to all, there was a galley surrounding the cemetery, and even murals depicting death decorating the walls.
The infamous “Danse Macabre” is a motif featuring joyful skeletons dancing with the living, reminding everyone that the same fate awaits them. It wasn’t such a far leap of the imagination or as gruesome as it might seem today. In the Middle Ages, those who made it to 60 were considered lucky. Those who made it through childbirth were even luckier.
Clandestine concerts
On April 2 1897, a clandestine concert was organized in the ossuary. People received secretive invitations and were instructed not to park their carriages near the main entrance. Over 100 guests descended into the depths of the 'Empire of the Dead' to hear Chopin's Funeral March and Saint-Saëns' Danse Macabre performed by members of the Parisian Orchestra.
Paris Catacombs Tour
To fully appreciate the history and complexity of these underground tunnels, a Paris Catacombs tour is highly recommended. These guided tours offer in-depth knowledge and stories about the Paris underground tunnels, enhancing the overall experience for visitors.
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Cemetery Closure and Excavation
So, if the charnel house system was working, why would King Louis XVI close the cemetery in 1780? Simply put, the mass graves were overflowing due to the increase in population, and therefore the increase in corpses. The air was thick with decomposition, which was worse in the summer months. However, the catalyst was that there were several collapsed houses surrounding the cemetery, which resulted in decomposing bodies exploding into people’s basements.
That was enough for Louis XVI and Parisian citizens. The following years were spent moving human remains into the Catacombs. The transports happened mostly at night. Priests aided by giving benedictions to the dead. Chiefly, this was because Catholics viewed it as a sacrilege to disturb and move the dead from holy ground. Throughout the following years, other cemeteries in Paris were also excavated.
What happened to the Paris Catacombs afterwards?
While there were plans to build new cemeteries on the outskirts of the city, Louis XVI didn’t have time to put this into action. The first French Revolution took place in 1789, and the ill-fated King was guillotined in 1793. It wasn't until after the Revolution, during the reign of Napoleon I, that construction plans for new cemeteries on the then outskirts of Paris began.
A Museum or an underground ossuary?
Unfortunately, when the human remains were originally placed in the Catacombs, they had been stacked in haphazard piles. In the early 19th century, under the leadership of Inspector Héricart de Thury, Paris Mine Inspection Service, the bones were stacked in a respectful and artistic fashion. He added Egyptian and Byzantine-themed archways. Poetic quotes about death are inscribed on tablets throughout the tunnel, which is designed to remind visitors that the same fate awaits us all.
In 1809, the Catacombs were opened to the public by appointment only. Throughout the century, visiting hours varied. Now part of the City of Paris Museums, the Catacombs are open 6 days a week.
- The Catacombs are the length of a 5-story building below ground level
- There are 243 steps (131 downwards, then 112 to exit)
- 1.5 km (1 mile) distance
- It takes visitors approximately 1 hour to tour the Catacombs
What is a cataphile?
Initially, the term 'Catacombs' denoted the ossuary part of the tunnels. However, now the term is used to describe the tunnels in their entirety. Only a fraction of the tunnels are filled with human remains. Now that we're clear, a Cataphile is someone passionate about the Catacombs, and who regularly explores the complex network of underground tunnels. It's not exactly legal, but that doesn’t seem to deter them.
There are many entrances, potholes, and other ways to get in, and true Cataphiles make their own maps. Some spaces are so small that they have to crawl through, and many of the tunnels are inundated with water.
In addition, underground parties take place in the Catacombs regularly, and many of the tunnels are covered with street art. French Police even found a fully functioning movie theater in the Catacombs. While there is a sense of freedom and lawlessness in the tunnels, Cataphiles have their own code of conduct and respect the space.
Your visit to the Paris Catacombs
In conclusion, there are two types of people, those who want to see human remains artistically displayed and those who absolutely do not. Admittedly, the Paris Catacombs may not be for everyone, so don't worry if you fit into the latter category. However, if you do want to visit the catacombs or as the sign puts it, ‘The Empire of Death’, you're bound to have an interesting trip to the underworld.
Address: 1 av. du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy, 75014, Paris
Days of operation: Tuesday - Sunday
Ticket price: 29€
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