Catacombs of Paris, Paris

Beneath the bustling streets of Paris lies a silent and solemn world, known as the Catacombs of Paris. This subterranean labyrinth, stretching over 300 kilometers, is the final resting place of millions of Parisians. The catacombs were created in the late 18th century as a response to the overcrowding of Parisian cemeteries, which posed a health hazard.

The Catacombs of Paris are a vast network of old quarry tunnels beneath the city, which were converted into an ossuary around the end of the 18th century. The official name for the catacombs is l’Ossuaire Municipal. This underground cemetery became a necessity when the cemeteries of Paris could no longer handle the number of burials required, leading to improper burials, open graves, and unearthed corpses, contributing to spreading disease.

Visitors to the Catacombs can enter through a small building in Paris's 14th arrondissement, at 1 Avenue du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy. The tour takes you down a narrow spiral stone stairwell of 131 steps, leading to a network of galleries and chambers where the walls are lined with the remains of the dead. The bones and skulls are arranged in a macabre display of high walls, with some areas arranged into patterns or crosses.

The atmosphere in the Catacombs is cool and damp, with a constant temperature of around 14 degrees Celsius. Lighting is minimal, enhancing the eerie experience as you walk through corridors filled with neatly stacked bones. Informational plaques and audio guides are available to provide context about the history of this unique place.

The tour of the public section of the catacombs is about 1.5 kilometers long and usually takes around 45 minutes to complete. It's important to note that the paths are narrow and the ground can be uneven, so comfortable walking shoes are recommended. Due to the nature of the site, it's not accessible for those with mobility impairments or for young children.

Photography is allowed, but touching the bones is strictly prohibited. The Catacombs of Paris are open to visitors from Tuesday to Sunday, with the last admission typically an hour before closing. It's wise to purchase tickets in advance, as the Catacombs are a popular attraction and the number of visitors per day is limited to protect the site.