The Paris catacombs, a network of tunnels beneath the city, are a popular tourist attraction with over 186 miles of tunnels filled with human skeletons. Originally limestone quarries, they were turned into mass graves in 1786 due to contamination and disease from improper burials. While some tunnels are open to the public, many are restricted and can only be accessed through hidden entrances. Visitors must follow the official path and not stray into forbidden areas.
Tourists flock to Paris, France every year. It is a historic city and there are numerous tourist attractions. The Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame and Jim Morrison’s grave draw thousands of visitors, but one of the biggest tourist attractions lies in the dark depths beneath the city streets. The Paris catacombs, officially called les carrieres de Paris, or the quarries of Paris, are not for the claustrophobic or the faint of heart.
A labyrinth of winding tunnels lies deep beneath the boulevards of Paris. In Roman times they were originally limestone quarries. In 1786, these quarries were turned into mass graves. The original cemeteries in central Paris were riddled with contamination and disease from improper burials. The remains of many Parisian cemeteries were ordered to be discreetly moved to quarries.
There are approximately 186 miles (300km) of tunnels that make up the Paris catacombs. Some are open to the public, but many are restricted and cannot be visited. Some of the tunnels are extremely narrow and prone to flooding. That doesn’t stop some intrepid visitors from entering through hidden entrances in the tunnels dotted around Paris. Secret entrances can be found through the sewers of Paris or through manhole covers in the street.
The official entrance to the Paris catacombs is a simple door in a small building. From there, you descend a long spiral staircase and start walking through the dark, winding tunnels. Then take a deep breath as you enter another room marked with a plaque reading, Arrête! Cest ici l’empire de la mort, Stop! This is the empire of death.
Your eyes may take a few seconds to adjust to the view that will greet you. The walls are filled with human skeletons, stacked on top of each other. Within these walls are arranged skulls and piles of bones, some reaching a height of 5m. The depth of the cavernous walls in places reaches 1.5 yards (20 m), all filled with skeletal remains.
The official visitor route is about a mile (1.5km) long, but the actual burials go much further in the Paris catacombs. There are thought to be around six million skeletons in the Paris catacombs. None of the remains are marked and the skeletons are mixed together haphazardly. The bones of the peasants mix with those of the nobles. In the catacombs of Paris there is no distinction of class.
Anyone caught in the forbidden areas of the tunnels risks a fine, but the temptation to explore the Paris catacombs unescorted has proved too much for some people. There have been stories of parties in the catacombs and there are even rumors that some people live in the tunnels. If you visit Paris, a trip to the Paris Catacombs is well worth it. As long as you have a strong constitution and don’t stray from the official path, you should make it through safely.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
