Paris Catacombs are located were originally excavated to obtain limestone for the construction of many buildings in the city. Years later, the overcrowding of the Parisian cemeteries changed its usefulness.
Today, in this underground labyrinth of more than 300 kilometers, are the bones of some 6 million people.
History of the Paris Catacombs
In 1786, Paris was struggling with epidemics and cemeteries without space. With the intention of freeing up places in their cemeteries, it was decided to transfer the corpses from various cemeteries and common graves to these tunnels. What you can visit today is a part of this complex labyrinthine structure.
At first the bones were simply deposited without any order, but from 1910 they began to be organized in the way that can be seen today: the longest bones, such as the femur and tibia, joined to form the walls on the sides of the bones. tunnels, were decorated with skulls and at the same time held the smaller bones behind the wall.
Some curious facts about the Paris Catacombs
Victor Hugo used his knowledge of the catacombs in his 1862 novel Les Miserables (his house can also be visited).
The German army built a bunker here and they were also used by the French Resistance during World War II.
Of the 300 kilometers that make up the catacombs, only one and a half kilometers is open to the public, for security reasons and to avoid acts such as black masses, which were held here in the past.
It is illegal to enter the catacombs without being accompanied by an official guide and no more than 200 people can visit the site at a time.
Visit the Paris Catacombs
The Paris Catacombs can be visited since 1874.
The ticket is around €30 with an audio guide included, essential to appreciate the history that surrounds the place and to really know everything that the place where you are standing represents.
You can book here tickets to visit the Paris Catacombs without queuing at the ticket office. Recommended, since on very busy days you can wait up to two hours. It also includes an audio guide.
Prices
€29 includes audio guide / buy
Schedules
From Tuesday to Sunday 10:00 am-4:00 pm (closed on Mondays, Christmas and New Year)
Address
Avenue du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy, 1
How to get there?
Metro lines 4 and 6, Denfert-Rochereau station / RER: line B, Denfert-Rochereau station / Buses: 38 and 68
