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Are you looking to add a unique stop on your trip to Paris? Have you been to Paris a few times and feel you need to visit something different? Let’s dive into one of Paris’s most intriguing and slightly spooky attractions!
Beneath the lively streets of Paris is a secret world that’ll surprise most visitors ~ a sprawling underground network filled with the bones of millions. Imagine over 6 million Parisians spread (literally) across nearly 200 miles of tunnels. It’s an eerie maze of history, mystery, and honestly, a bit ghostly. This hour of wandering will feel raw and unforgettable, but you’ll leave with a sense of awe, a touch of respect, and maybe a few goosebumps to boot! Let’s take a friendly stroll through the history and the must-see sights awaiting you beneath the City of Light.
A Brief History of the Catacombs
Picture Paris in the late 18th century with bustling streets, minimal sanitation, and overflowing cemeteries with a bit of a problem. By the 1770s, the city’s graveyards were so packed that they were causing health hazards. Disease and vile odors spread through neighborhoods near major burial grounds.
The solution? Move the remains to an old limestone quarry network beneath the city.
These quarries, which were tunnels dug out centuries earlier to build Paris’s iconic landmarks like Notre-Dame, became the perfect spot for a massive underground ossuary. Starting in 1786, workers began the grim task of transferring bones from cemeteries like the Holy Innocents to the catacombs. This wasn’t a quick job ~ imagine nightly processions of covered carts carrying remains through the streets for years!
By 1810, the catacombs were organized, with bones neatly arranged into walls and patterns. Walking the paths are eerie and awe-inspiring for sure at the same time.
What to See in the Catacombs
Ready to explore? You’ll be diving down to stroll about a mile (1.5 kilometers) of the catacombs’ nearly 200 mile (186 km) network, but that short stretch is packed with unforgettable sights. Here’s what you can expect:
The Entrance: Port-Mahon Gallery
Your journey starts with a spiral staircase that takes you 20 meters underground (about 130 steps—wear comfy shoes!).
At the bottom, you’ll pass through the Port-Mahon Gallery, where you’ll spot a cool carving of a fortress made by a quarryman in the 1770s. It’s a little reminder that these tunnels were once a workplace, not just a resting place. Special lighting helps visitors experience the site safely while respecting its solemn nature.
The main entrance, known as the “Barrière d’Enfer,” leads to a central rotunda, which acts as a gathering point before visitors explore deeper tunnels. Labels on the walls indicate which Parisian cemeteries the bones originally came from, providing historical context to the arrangement.
Common phrases include “*Arrête, c’est ici l’empire de la Mort*” (“Stop! This is the empire of Death”) found at the main ossuary entrance. Others display poems, religious references, or dates marking when specific remains were transferred under the city.
The Ossuary: Architecture of Walls of Bones
The main event is the ossuary, where you’ll walk through narrow passages lined with thoughtfully stacked bones, skulls, and femurs in tight, geometric patterns.
Support pillars and stone frames stabilize the bones and prevent collapses. In certain areas, bones are organized to imitate classical columns or archways. Thanks to the workers who turned chaos into art, some are arranged in decorative patterns, like hearts or crosses. Look out for the “Barrel of Bones,” a massive pillar made entirely of remains, haunting and strangely beautiful. Don’t worry if you faint from fright, there’s a heart shocker down there waiting to revive you!
Inscriptions, Reflections, & The Footbath
As you wander, you’ll notice plaques with poetic inscriptions about life, death, and the passage of time.
I found the quote, “Unless the grain of wheat entrusted to the earth dies, it bears no fruit; if it dies, it produces much fruit” or something to that effect! I don’t speak French, so I could be a little off on the phrase! Another famous quote reads, “Think in the morning that you may not live until the evening.” It’s a bit heavy but sets the mood, reminding you of the catacombs’ deeper meaning as a place to reflect on mortality. Look for it as you gaze in the darkness.
At one point, you might splash through a shallow puddle nicknamed the “footbath.” It’s just groundwater, but locals joke it’s the “tears of the departed.” The guides often share fun tidbits like this to lighten the mood, so keep an ear out for their stories.
Hidden History
Scary Secrets & the Terrifying Tunnels
A part of the vast network of hidden tunnels, some undocumented, crisscrosses below the city.
Urban explorers called “cataphiles” have mapped out secret passageways, chambers, and hidden entrances, often marking routes with graffiti or arrows. Are treasures or forgotten relics still concealed somewhere in the endless darkness? Some think so.
In the past, authorities have occasionally discovered entire hidden communities left by sneaky adventurers and report stumbling upon secret rooms containing underground art, makeshift bars, or even evidence of past gatherings. All of this has fueled rumors of undiscovered chambers and secret societies operating below the city.
Can you imagine heading down to the bunker bar, where you’re surrounded by the blank stares of your ‘bar buddies’?
Urban Intrigue
Because of these hidden underground discoveries, tales of people vanishing within the Paris Catacombs and explorers who wandered too far and never returned have been reported.
Some say that strange sounds, such as whispers and footsteps, can be heard echoing through the passageways at night, and local legend claims that the walls are haunted by the spirits of the buried dead, especially on Halloween. Many Parisians also believe that certain sections of the catacombs are cursed and bring bad luck to those who disturb them.
Preserving the Past
By the early 19th century, the ossuary had evolved from a solution to a public health crisis to a significant cultural and historical site. Further enhancements were made by Louis-Étienne Héricart de Thury, who oversaw renovations that added arches, plaques, and other markers to honor the dead.
Modern preservation involves regular inspections and reinforcement of tunnels and repairs to guard against water damage and erosion.
After the Catacombs ~ A Cemetery for Reflection
After the Catacombs you can stroll over just a few blocks to the Montparnasse Cemetery to see a comparison of what it might have been like back in day. It’s a beautiful neighborhood.
Tips for Visiting ~ Tickets, Accessibility and Facilities
Planning a trip? Here are a few pointers to make your visit smooth and memorable:
Tours of Tombs
First Off: There are 2 types of tickets, guided tours and self paced.
Most visitors explore the Catacombs with a guided tour, which helps explain the story behind the tunnels and the millions of remains and access to restricted areas like the crypt. These tours are typically available in French and English, led by knowledgeable guides who describe the construction, historical uses, and significance of the ossuary. Audio guides are also available for a self-paced experience. large bags or backpacks are not allowed inside.
Time It Right: The tour takes about 45 minutes to an hour, so if possible, plan for a morning visit to beat the crowds. It’s essential to check if timed entry is required, as late arrivals may forfeit entry.
Booking online: The catacombs are super popular, and only 200 people are allowed in at a time. This lets visitors skip long lines, but printed or digital tickets should be ready at entry. Some tickets may include audio guides in multiple languages for an extra charge.
When I visited, it was required to purchase a ticket online with a time reservation. The Catacombs are closed on Mondays and certain holidays, so checking the official schedule before planning a trip is essential.
Dress Smart: It’s chilly (about 14°C/57°F) and damp, so bring a jacket. Also, those 130 steps mean no elevators—accessibility is limited. The tunnels can be narrow and uneven, so sturdy shoes are recommended.
Respect the Space: No touching the bones, and photography is okay, but tripods and professional lighting gear are forbidden. Voices should be kept low, and running or straying from the marked path is prohibited. Keep it respectful, this is a resting place, after all! Eating, drinking, or smoking within the tunnels is strictly prohibited.
Restrooms and cloakrooms: are not available inside the Catacombs themselves. Facilities can be found near the entrance, so visitors are encouraged to prepare before descending. There are also no seating areas within the tunnels.
The Entry and Exit are Not The Same Place!
The Catacombs are accessed down a staircase of about 130 steps and a similar staircase up at the exit. There are no elevators or ramps, making the site inaccessible to wheelchairs or those unable to navigate stairs. When you exit the Catacombs, you’ll be at the cute gift shop where you can buy a spooky keepsake. I purchased a Christmas ornament. I collect them from everywhere I go!
The Paris Catacombs exit and gift shop is located at 21 bis, Avenue René-Coty, which is approximately 700 meters from the entrance. The 1-mile (1.5-kilometer) circuit is one-way, and the exit is not near the entrance. Visitors exit by climbing 112 steps up a spiral staircase.
~The Nitty Gritty
🍺 THIRSTY STOPS:
- Shannon Pub – Chill spot for a beer
- Cafe Daguerre – Laid back cafe with sidewalk tables
- Cafe Oz – The Aussie Bar Denfert – Good everything
🏰BEST SITES IN THE AREA:
- Paris Catacombs – Head down to spookyville.
- Montparnasse Tower included in the Paris Pass!
- Montparnasse Cemetery – Historic
- Jardin du Luxembourg – Luxemboug Gardens!
- Musee du Luxembourg- beautiful gallery
🍴 FOOD FINDS:
- Indiana Cafe – A Fun Corner bistro serving American, Tex-Mex and more!
- Mason Peret – A beautiful French restaurant just a block away.
- Un Jour a Hanoi – A fantastic Vietnamese stop! –
🚗 GETTING THERE:
- RER /B (blue) Denfert-Rochereau
- Ⓜ️ 4 (purple) Clignancourt Gate/Bagneux-Lucie
- Ⓜ️ 6 (green) Charles de Gualle Star/Nation
✈️ DESTINATION PREP:
- Trip Planning Sheets! Use my Planning Sheets – The PREFLIGHT PLANNER for a travel checklist and city-to-city planning. The DAILY PLANNER for daily city site and museum planning. I USE THEM!
- FOR TRAVEL OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES: The US State Department Travel Site – ALL trips begin with safety in mind! This site is helpful to EVERYONE WORLDWIDE! I begin by looking at this site for all the latest Worldwide Country Info – Passports, Visa requirements, Travel Advisories
- Enroll in the STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program) – Enrolling lets the State Department know where you are in an emergency and can help you home if needed.
