The catacombs of Paris are underground tunnels that are the largest and oldest in the world. Over five million people visit them every year. The catacombs are a unique experience, which not many people get to do. Whether you’re visiting them for the first time or if it’s your hundredth, here are some interesting facts about the catacombs that’ll keep you coming back again and again.
Contents
1. The Origins of the Paris Catacombs
The Paris Catacombs were once limestone mines and ossuaries, used to store human remains since the 13th century. As Paris began expanding, the abandoned tunnels caused ground collapses, leading to the creation of the Catacombs. These catacombs date back to the 1700s, when they were formed from an old underground quarry, storing more remains until 1860. The catacombs were created for reasons of public safety, providing an interesting historical look into a former burial practice.
The catacombs provide a unique look at the history of cemeteries and burial practices in Paris. They offer visitors a chance to explore ancient passageways and mausoleums that are elaborately decorated with carvings and inscriptions.
2. What Was the Construction Process?
The Catacombs started taking shape in the 17th century after workers began transferring human bones into abandoned quarries under Paris. Over time, the catacombs became a burial place for over six million people, who were either cremated or interred. They were also used to consolidate the ancient stone quarries of Paris. The catacombs beneath Paris are now a popular tourist attraction and contain the remains of over six million people. These catacombs were constructed to serve as an underground storage facility for Paris’s municipal garbage from the 19th century to today.
How Did the Catacombs Evolve Over Time?
The catacombs were actually the end result of more than 130 years of designing, engineering, and construction—a project unmatched in terms of size or complexity until then. The catacombs were built to serve as the final resting place for the dead from 1786 to 1804 under the direction of Victor-Adolphe de Vertus, a French aristocrat. Over time, the catacombs housed not only bodies but also artifacts such as musical instruments, paintings, sculptures, and books. The catacombs feature two main sections: ‘Les Innocents’ (The Innocent) and ‘La Madeleine’ (The Virgin).
Each section features its own unique features and attractions. In ‘Les Innocents’ visitors can explore reservoirs, crypts, vaults, off-limits secret rooms, and underground passageways. It is one of the most popular sections among visitors because of its unique history and atmosphere. Skip the long lines by booking online before heading down to explore with a guide.
In ‘La Madeleine’ visitors descend 130 steps to a mile-long tour decorated with bones. There are various sights and experiences that can be explored including a walk through an underground chapel where beautiful illuminated Franco-Romanesque stained glass windows shed light on the magnificent architecture below. Visitors can also explore a large crypt containing rows of burial markers on either side of a path made.
3. What to Know Before Visiting the Catacombs in Paris
The catacombs are a UNESCO World Heritage site, the final resting place for about six million people. A guided tour is highly recommended for those interested in the history of catacombs and behind-the-scenes access. The catacombs contain unique macabre artwork and architecture not found anywhere else, such as paintings and sculptures, that tell the story of death from different perspectives.
The catacombs have waiting times of up to 3 hours, so skip-the-line tickets are highly recommended. Touring the catacombs is an overwhelming and moving experience, but may not be suitable for those claustrophobic or easily scared.
Tips for Navigating the Catacombs
Paris Catacombs tours include skip-the-line tickets, access to restricted areas, and knowledgeable guides. For best results, it’s important to organize your visit in advance. If you’re visiting for a specific tour, be sure to check the website for up-to-date information and book your ticket early. You can also explore the Catacombs without a guide and take risks of damaging or stealing human remains. These activities are illegal and dangerous.
Instead, take a tour with a reputable operator who will ensure your safety while respecting the historic heritage of the catacombs. The catacombs contain tunnels and galleries filled with bones and human remains from more than two centuries of French history. Touring the catacombs offers an archeological adventure with arrangements of bones and skulls. It is an interesting way to learn about France’s past and its impact on the present day.
Hours of Operation
The Catacombs of Paris are open Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., closed on Mondays and January 1st, May 1st, and December 25th. However, sales stop an hour before closing time and a maximum of 200 people can tour at any given time. Visitors can book skip-the-line tickets for guided tours with a maximum group size of 19 in advance. Paris is strict with the rule on the maximum number of visitors allowed inside, carefully monitoring the people entering and leaving the catacombs.
To ensure the safety and privacy of its visitors, the catacombs limit access to only 20 people at a time and strictly enforce a no-backpack policy. To ensure that everyone follows these rules, guards monitor the catacombs from above. For this reason it’s highly recommended that visitors book tickets in advance during high season or make advance arrangements to visit if you have a specific interest in seeing particular sections of the catacombs. For more information, make sure to check official website here!
Prohibited Items
There are several items that visitors to the Catacombs of Paris should remember before visiting. First, people with heart or respiratory problems, nervous dispositions, and young children should avoid the tour. In addition, visitors should wear comfortable clothes and shoes as the Catacombs tunnels are often wet and cool. Additionally, there are no toilets or cloakroom facilities available at the Catacombs. To ensure safety and enjoyment of visiting the catacombs, it is important to follow some basic rules. Visitors must not wear clothing that could pose a safety risk or disturb fragile remains such as leather gloves or high heels.
The monuments and tombs in the Catacombs
The catacombs hold monuments and tombs from all over history, making them a unique historical site. They also contain a rich cache of human remains dating back as far as the 1700s, which makes them an essential part of the city’s cultural and scientific history. The catacombs were formed from an old underground quarry, which made them an ideal place to inter bodies during times of intense overcrowding at the city’s cemeteries.
Today, the remains in the catacombs are kept in clearly marked tombs to ensure their respectful treatment and proper preservation. The catacombs are open to tourists who wish to explore unique underground architecture and art.
4. Touring the Paris Catacombs: Highlights & Tips
- Skip-the-line tickets are available for the Paris Catacombs with VIP access to restricted areas.
- The Catacombs offer an archeological adventure with long spiral staircases and narrow tunnels filled with arranged bones and skulls. Depending on your tour, you can see the remains of more than six million people, making it one of the largest cemeteries in the world.
- You can experience the Catacombs without waiting for hours on end by booking a skip-the-line ticket. They typically cost around $30 per person and include entry to two restricted areas and a super-knowledgeable English-speaking guide.
- Maximum group size for a semi-private VIP tour is 19 people and includes entrance to the catacombs, guided tours, headsets for audio guides, private restrooms, and access to special areas where you can find some of the skeletons and skulls from above ground. These can be a fun way to learn about the history of Paris while exploring some of its more unusual sites.
- With the tour, instead of learning about the bones’ origins and history, you’ll learn about burial practices and the scientific method. You may also encounter some catacombs resident, like bats or small rodents. These creatures are found in all parts of the catacombs, but some areas are better known for their unique fauna and flora. Catacombs tours are designed for those with a healthy dose of curiosity and who aren’t afraid of a little bit of claustrophobia. However, there is no need to worry about this if you have respiratory or cardiac issues as these won’t be an issue on a catacombs tour.
Also! There is so much to see in Paris! Make sure to check our other articles for more options to discover city’s charm.
5. FAQ
Can you legally visit the Paris catacombs?
Who is buried in the catacombs of Paris?
Are the skulls in the catacombs real?
What About the “Secret” Parisian Catacombs?
How far down are the Paris Catacombs?
