10 Paris Catacombs Facts That You Must Know Before Visiting!

Facts About Catacombs Paris

1. Hold the Remains of Over Six Million People
2. Created in Late 18th Century
3. Span Over 200 Miles of Tunnels
4. Only a Small Portion of it is Open to the Public
5. The Official Entrance is at Place Denfert-Rochereau
6. Used as Resistance Headquarters During World War II
7. Have Inspired Numerous Horror Stories and Films
8. The Temperature is a Constant 14°C (57°F)
9. Contain Inscriptions and Carvings
10. They are a Former Limestone Quarry

Paris, renowned for its beauty and art, also holds a haunting secret beneath its streets: "The Empire of Death”. Renowned as Paris Catacombs are underground tunnels created in Paris in the 17th century. It was an era of innovation, growth, and limitless imagination. However, due to the city’s age, its cemeteries were snowed under by overcrowding. As a result, 6 million bodies were excavated and transferred to the catacombs of Paris. These underground tunnels, are part of a vast maze of over 200 miles.

This eerie labyrinth has attracted famous visitors like Napoleon III and inspired literary works like "Les Miserables." Victor Hugo, Charles Baudelaire, and even Jim Morrison have each explored the depths of the underground city. Some Paris Catacombs facts that may interest travellers are that some local Parisians, called cataphiles, explore the uncharted regions of the catacombs. Cataphiles have created art, held parties, and even cultivated mushrooms in the catacombs

Here is a list of Catacombs Paris Facts:

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01

Hold the Remains of Over Six Million People

By the 17th century, Paris faced severe cemetery overcrowding. Neighbourhood residents in close proximity to Les Innocents, the city’s oldest cemetery, expressed complaints about the unpleasant smell of decomposing bodies. This prompted King Louis XVI to appoint Charles-Axel Guillaumot, Inspector of Quarries to transfer remains to underground quarries, a task that took 12 years.

The Catacombs house the bones of over six million people, including notable figures like Nicolas Fouquet and Robespierre. A unique Catacombs Paris fact highlights that a total of 17 cemeteries, 160 places of worship and 145 monasteries and convents were added to the Catacombs.

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02

Created in Late 18th Century

The Paris Catacombs date back to the 18th century, particularly in 1786 when they were named Paris Municipal Ossuary. They started as quarries for stone needed to build Paris. They were repurposed to hold skulls, and bones from overcrowded cemeteries to address public health concerns. Under Inspector Charles-Axel Guillaumot's supervision in the 1780s, the bones were arranged into decorative patterns.

This transformation not only solved the city's burial crisis but also turned the catacombs into a unique historical site. They continue to intrigue visitors and researchers alike, offering insights into urban planning, public health, and cultural fascination.

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03

Span Over 200 Miles of Tunnels

Underneath Paris, there's a huge maze of tunnels and passages—over 200 miles long—that are mostly closed off to the public. But one part you can visit legally is the Catacombs of Paris. These catacombs stretch between 185 to 310 miles in total and cover an area of about 11,000 square meters.

They go as deep as 200 feet below sea level. Much of this underground area hasn't been mapped yet, making it mysterious and hard to explore. It's a fascinating glimpse into Paris' history, where old quarries were turned into an eerie burial site centuries ago.

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04

Only a Small Portion of it is Open to the Public

Only a small section of the Paris Catacombs is open to visitors. Originally, the Catacombs were fully accessible, but due to their vast size and complexity, it's easy to lose the way, especially in off-limits areas. The network of tunnels is extensive, closed at night, and only a portion is open during the day, often requiring a guide.

As you explore the dimly lit paths, watch for signs marking restricted areas. The public-accessible part, known as the Denfert-Rochereau Ossuary, spans 1.5 km and is well-maintained, contrasting with the nearly 200 miles of unmapped tunnels that remain off-limits.

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05

The Official Entrance is at Place Denfert-Rochereau

The official entrance to the Paris Catacombs is at Place Denfert-Rochereau in the 14th arrondissement. Known for its eerie atmosphere, this attraction often has long queues winding around the block. An exciting Paris Catacombs fact is that throughout Paris, there are secret entry points hidden in places like former sewer access points.

The Place Denfert-Rochereau square is also notable for its large lion statue, called the Lion of Belfort, which stands at the centre. Nearby landmarks include the Montparnasse Cemetery and the Montparnasse Tower, making it a recognizable and accessible location for visitors to start their journey into the Catacombs.

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06

Used as Resistance Headquarters During World War II

One interesting detail to know is that the Catacombs served as headquarters for the French Resistance against Nazi occupation during World War II. These underground tunnels provided a safe shelter where Resistance members could evade German forces, plan operations, and store weapons.

Despite the presence of German bunkers in some parts of the Catacombs, the intricate network of tunnels allowed the Resistance to operate in privacy. This use of the Catacombs highlights their importance during one of the darkest periods in Parisian history, where they became a symbol of courage against oppression.

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07

Have Inspired Numerous Horror Stories and Films

The Paris Catacombs have inspired numerous horror films such as "As Above, So Below" and "Catacombs". The volume of human bones contributes to a setting that captures the imagination of filmmakers. Documentaries such as "The Catacombs of Paris" (2010) delve into its macabre history. Even in comedies like "Lost in Paris" (2016), they serve as atmospheric settings for cinematic tales.

Other famous examples include Catacombs (2007), a horror film, The Catacombs of Paris (2010) which sheds light on history, legends and macabre origins and Ghost Adventures: The Catacombs of Paris (2016), a paranormal investigation TV series.

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08

The Temperature is a Constant 14°C (57°F)

The Catacombs maintain a steady temperature of about 14°C (57°F), making it chilly year-round. This cool environment, coupled with damp and narrow passages, emphasizes the need to wear comfortable clothing, along with sturdy shoes for uneven surfaces. This consistent coolness is a result of the Catacombs' depth and lack of direct sunlight, creating a unique.

The constant temperature, around 15°C (59°F) is what also adds to the eerie atmosphere underground. An interesting fact here is that this temperature was once ideal for mushroom cultivation in the 19th century and sprouted nearly 1000 tons of yearly produce.

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09

Contain Inscriptions and Carvings

An interesting Paris Catacombs fact is that the tunnels are more than just a collection of bones. They also feature inscriptions and carvings. One of the famous inscriptions is "Arrête! C'est ici l'empire de la Mort" ("Stop! This is the empire of Death"), which greets visitors at the entrance. One inscription reads, "Hodie mihi, cras tibi" ("Today me, tomorrow you"), a reminder of the inevitability of death.

Another famous carving is of the Port-Mahon fortress, a replica of a Minorcan fort. The Port-Mahon carving is located in a remote section of the Catacombs and is a fine example of craftsmanship.

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10

They are a Former Limestone Quarry

The Catacombs of Paris were created in the late 1700s from former limestone quarries, transforming them into an ossuary to store human remains. During the Gallo-Roman period, the inhabitants of Lutetia, the ancestor of Paris, mined Lutetian limestone to construct their buildings. This limestone was known to withstand weathering and erosion, and it contributed to architectural longevity.

This unique limestone, found only near Paris, eventually built much of the Paris city, giving it its distinctive look. Facts about Catacombs Paris tell us that the Lutetian limestone was mined from these quarries and used to build iconic Parisian structures, such as the Louvre, Notre-Dame and Les Invalides.

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