Audio GuideCatacombs of Paris
Les Catacombes de Paris
Illuminated labyrinth in former limestone mine with millions of ghoulishly arranged skeletons.
Cemetery
Paris, France
Welcome to the Catacombs of Paris, a labyrinth of hidden history beneath the city streets. Originally established in the late eighteenth century to address the issue of overcrowded cemeteries like the Holy Innocents Cemetery, these tunnels soon transformed into an immense ossuary, housing the remains of over six million people. The human remains were meticulously relocated from overflowing burial sites into repurposed stone quarries, forever altering the landscape of Paris.
In the early nineteenth century, Louis-Étienne Héricart de Thury undertook the task of converting these dark corridors into a remarkable display of arranged bones. With precision and creativity, he organised the remains into decorative patterns, merging art with solemn remembrance. Visitors begin their journey at the former city gate known as the Gateway to Hell, where a sombre sign warns, "Stop! The Empire of Death lies here," setting the tone for the experience ahead.
Throughout history, these subterranean passages have served various purposes. They provided refuge for the French Resistance during the Second World War and even concealed a secret cinema discovered in two thousand and four. More than just a tourist attraction, the Catacombs convey the intricate story of Paris, reflecting the city's cultural perspectives on life, death, and memory.
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