Audio GuideCatacombs of Paris

Welcome to Les Catacombes de Paris, an illuminated labyrinth of hidden history beneath the city. Originally created in the late eighteenth century to solve the problem of overcrowded cemeteries such as the Holy Innocents Cemetery, these tunnels soon became an immense ossuary holding the remains of over six million individuals. Human remains were carefully transferred from overflowing burial grounds into converted stone quarries, a process that changed the face of Paris forever.

Irma MyersDonihoo

In the early nineteenth century, Louis-Étienne Héricart de Thury took on the task of transforming these dark corridors into a striking display of arranged bones. With precision and creativity, he organized the remains into decorative patterns, blending art with solemn remembrance. Guests begin their journey at the former city gate known as the Gate of Hell, where a somber sign warns, "Stop! The empire of Death lies here," setting the tone for what is to come.

عابر سبيل

Throughout history, these underground passages have played many roles. They served as hideaways for the French Resistance during World War Two and even sheltered a secret movie theater discovered in two thousand four. More than just a tourist attraction, the Catacombs tell the layered story of Paris, reflecting the city’s cultural views on life, death, and remembrance.

Jlurbanphotographe Jr

Carlos Alberto do Amaral