Catacombes de Paris
The Catacombs hold secrets much stranger than the bones stacked within them
Category Memento Mori, Ossuaries, Catacombs, Crypts, & Cemeteries, Subterranean Sites
In 2004, Parisian police were assigned to do a training exercise in a previously uncharted part of the Catacombs of Paris beneath the Palais de Chaillot. Entering the catacombs through a drain, officers first came across a sign that read "Building site, no access," and a bit further in, a camera that actively recorded images of those who passed. As the officers approached the camera, a recording of dogs barking was triggered.
The police descended deeper into the tunnels and discovered a 400 square meter cavern with a fully equipped cinema. It included a giant cinema screen, projection equipment, chairs and a handful of films, from film noir classics to recent thrillers. Someone had turned this abandoned underground cavern into a secret amphitheater. Aside from this, in the next "room," police discovered a fully-stocked bar and restaurant, complete with tables and chairs. The discovery left police befuddled, not to mention the professional installation of electricity and three phone lines.
Three days later, police returned with experts from the French Board of Electricity to try and figure out where the power was coming from. The cables had been cut and a note lying on the floor read,"Do not try and find us."
Quarry tunnels have existed on the outskirts of Paris since Roman times. The limestone in these quarries built Paris as we know it today, and eventually, helped the city expand to the point where the quarries were directly underneath the busy metropolis. Some 200 miles of labyrinthine tunnels are believed to exist.
Despite the vast length of the tunneled, underground world, only a small section of it is open to the public. This tiny portion, known as Denfert-Rochereau Ossuary, or more popularly, "The Catacombs," has become one of the top tourist attractions in Paris.
The popular site houses the skeletal remains of some 6 to 7 million former Parisians, though not all areas of the Catacombs are open to the public. Back in the late 18th century, cemeteries were becoming over-populated. Cemeteries such as Les Innocents were so stuffed with the dead that it led to improper burials, open graves and unearthed corpses. Neighbors began getting sick with infectious diseases due to the unhealthy conditions of the cemetery.
Les Innocents was not the only cemetery that was condemned. Many other graveyards were becoming overpopulated, causing problems for the inhabitants of Paris. With tons of empty quarries, police and priests alike discreetly moved the bones over the period of a few decades to the renovated section of the tunnel. The Catacombs became a popular attraction for royal families and the people of importance and in 1867, the area was opened to the general public.
Due to their old age, the quarries not part of the official Catacombs have been deemed unsafe by Parisian officials. Nevertheless, the size and length of the tunnels make it difficult to keep secret societies, thieves, artists and the curious public from entering the dangerous network.
In the 1980s, a movement was dedicated to the exploration of the tunnels. After the discovery of the secret cinema, Patrick Alk, a photographer close to the group responsible said the discovery "was a shame, but not the end of world." There are dozens of other meeting places just like the one the police discovered in the mysterious labyrinth. He concluded, saying, "you guys have no idea what's down there."
Due to vandalism and the theft of several skulls, the catacombs were closed from October 2009 through December of the same year. With the reopening of the site comes additional security and bag checks upon exiting.
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- Hours Normally Tuesday - Sunday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Address 1 Place Denfert-Rochereau, Paris, 75014, France
- Cost Adults: 5 Euros, Children: 2.50 Euros, Students: 4 Euros
Comments
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Anonymous
February 16, 2010
This is the "official" catacombs. There is, however, an immense network of quarry tunnels that are supposed to be out of bounds for the public. There is one well-known access in the Petite Ceinture (a disused railway track that used to circle Paris), that they can't close because there's always people down there who wouldn't know how to get out. You won't find it on your own, though - you'll have to ask someone who knows. "Cataphiles" are very protective of these places, and they don't like tourists. -
Anonymous
October 21, 2009
A few weeks ago, the catacombs have been vandalized by unknown people and for unknown reason. They have destroyed the piles of bones every 20 metres, for 300 metres. This is really shocking and revolting, as it is an attack against both an artistic and historical monument, and a graveyard. Because of those incredibly stupid persons, the catacombs are currently closed, and there is no re-opening date announced at the moment.
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Going to Paris in a month. Does anyone know of a little less "touristy" way to see the catacombs? Please let me know, if so.
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Another interesting place if you like the unusual (which you must if you're reading this!!). I recommend this if you want to do something that isn't necessarily "touristy".
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The Paris catacombes are currently holding an photograph exhibition about the amazing Palermes catacombes and their mummies. It lasts until the 10th February 2010.
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Anonymous
June 28, 2009
Hrrm...what the article seems to miss is that the "official" Catacombes are completely uninteresting. However, if you know the right persons, it is really easy to go explore the real Catacombs. And THAT is where the fun is...
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Anonymous
June 19, 2009
The scariest part of the catacombs in Paris is the corkscrew staircase that descends into them. It is steep and seems like it never is going to end. There is a cute church at the exit point and a nice sidewalk restaurant where you can have a latte after you decent into the deep.
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