A place that unsettles (in a good way): Paris Catacombs
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Paris Catacombs Beneath Place Denfert-Rochereau, in the 14th arrondissement, Paris suddenly shifts in scale. Around twenty metres below the surface, the Paris Catacombs unfold along a mineral passageway of approximately 1.7 kilometres through former underground quarries. Here, silence, stone and rows of bones create an experience unlike any other, far removed from the capital’s usual image. Why make the detour The Catacombs were not originally a necropolis. They occupy part of Paris’s former quarries, connected by inspection galleries. At the end of the 18th century, these spaces were converted into a municipal ossuary for public-health reasons: remains from several Parisian cemeteries were transferred there until 1861. Around six million individuals were moved there. The name “catacombs” became established by analogy with the underground necropolises of ancient Rome, but it is inaccurate: the site was never designed as a burial place. The public tour reveals only a very small part of the former quarries that extend beneath several Paris arrondissements. This contrast is the site’s great strength: just a few metres from the city’s major thoroughfares, another Paris endures—excavated, dark and steeped in a singular sanitary, geological and funerary history. The best time to go The visit is especially well suited to days when you are looking for a break from the bustle of Parisian streets. Twenty metres underground, the route creates an atmosphere distinctly different from that of the surface, whatever the season. As visitor numbers and access conditions may change, it is advisable to consult the official information from the Paris Catacombs before planning your visit. Preparing your visit This is an underground route through former quarries, with a mineral atmosphere and a powerful memorial dimension. The presence of the remains of millions of Parisians makes it an urban museum that can leave a lasting impression, far beyond the novelty factor. It is best to approach the visit as a historical passage: the galleries tell the story both of the exploitation of Paris’s underground and of the city’s transformations at the end of the 18th century. Visitor rules, entry arrangements and practical conditions should be checked directly with the institution. Access and reference points The Paris Catacombs are located in the 14th arrondissement, with the tour starting at Place Denfert-Rochereau. They are a museum of the City of Paris. In 2015, the site officially welcomed around 500,000 visitors a year. Yet beneath this lively Left Bank neighbourhood, the route open to the public represents only an infinitesimal part of Paris’s underground quarry network.
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Where: Paris — Ile-de-France