25 Interesting Facts About The Paris Catacombs

We dive into the 25 Interesting Facts About The Paris Catacombs in this article.

What are the few things you know about Paris,  France? It could be the historical monuments like the iconic Eiffel Tower, the grandeur of Notre Dame Cathedral, and the majestic Louvre Pyramid.

The city is also home to inspiring museums such as the Louvre, housing masterpieces like the Mona Lisa and the Musée d’Orsay.

Generally, Paris, also called the fashion capital, is famous as a city of love and Romance. In addition, it’s also popular to many as “the  city of light.”

Did you know that there is a darker side beneath the city of light? Yes, the Paris catacombs were the final resting destination for the Parisians.

Such happened during the French Revolution, and victims died due to guillotining.   Indeed, there is a lot of information that you deserve to know about Paris’s catacombs.

However, the 25 interesting facts are: 

1. Has History Of The Dead Being Awaken

Back in the 17th century, Paris was the place to be. This bustling metropolis was way ahead of all the other European cities in size and innovations.

However,  as the city grew, its cemeteries faced a serious problem. It reached a point where people living in neighborhoods near Les Innocents, the city’s oldest cemetery, weren’t happy.

The smell of decomposing bodies was overpowering, and by 1786, the mayor of Paris had to step in and do something about it.

The whole cemetery mess was causing major health issues for the living, so they had to move the bodies. Can you believe it?

They ended up digging up 6 million bodies and relocating them to the catacombs of Paris. They were these former quarry tunnels.

Now, these catacombs aren’t just random burial spots; they’ve got remains from 17 cemeteries, 160 places of worship, and 145 monasteries and convents.

2. Some Parts of Paris Catacombs Aren’t Open to Visitors

The Paris catacombs are super deep. That is why some parts are even off-limits and tricky to reach. The part open to everyone is called the Denfert-Rochereau Ossuary. It’s just a small chunk of the whole catacomb gig.

But get this: there’s this cool group of cataphiles who are all about exploring these catacombs. They love wandering around and getting this; sometimes, they go into restricted areas.

Quick heads up, though, those sections are a no-go zone. Not safe at all, so best not to go poking around there.

3. Paris Catacombs Forms Extensive Network Of Tunnels

Paris has this crazy network of tunnels, like, hundreds of miles long. It’s mind-blowing to think there’s a whole hidden world under the city.

When you’re checking out the French capital, look up and down; there’s cool stuff everywhere. Especially when talking about the Catacombs.

Interestingly, those tunnels that eventually became the Paris Catacombs weren’t originally meant for piling up the dead. They were made by old quarry miners.

And guess what? Tunnels under Paris are estimated to be around 200 miles. It’s like a whole secret city down there.

4. Historical French Celebrities Are Buried In Catacombs

The Paris Catacombs are where countless unknown folks find their eternal rest. Still, there is a mix of regular Joes and some big names from French history.

We’re talking about Nicolas Fouquet, the finance whiz of Louis XIV, and a whole crew, including Lavoisier, Colbert, Danton, Rabelais, Jules Hardouin-Mansart, Robespierre, Racine, Blaise Pascal, Maral and Lully. 

Don’t forget the 1343 souls who met the guillotine at the Place de la Concorde during the Reign of Terror. As a matter of fact, Paris Catacombs is like a VIP section of the afterlife.

5. The Dead Were Moved At Night

Can you imagine a bunch of gravediggers pulling a graveyard shift, working their tails off for nearly 12 years to move all those bones? That was the case at the Paris Catacombs.

More than 200 of them sneaked around in the dead of night to avoid raising eyebrows with the Church and Parisians.

These gravediggers, armed with baskets, carefully collected skulls, and bones, guided only by the flicker of torches and lanterns.

6. The Dead Buried in Paris Catacombs are More Than People Living in Paris

You won’t believe what lies beneath the streets of Paris. Admittedly, there are more people buried than those living above ground.

It all started with the Holy Innocents’ cemetery, the big shot of cemeteries in Paris back in the day, holding the remains of a whopping 2 million souls.

Things got shaky when parts of the Holy Innocents’ cemetery collapsed. What was the other solution? Of course, it was to move the remains into quarries.

Coincidentally, other cemeteries, cramped for space, jumped on the bandwagon, contributing even more bodies to these underground mine shafts.

Such events made the Paris Catacombs a home to 6 million dead people. That is way more than the 2 million folks strolling around Paris.

7. Famous People Have Visited Paris Catacombs

Since the catacombs became the final resting place for some big shots, it drew the attention of famous people paying their respects or simply curious to explore.

Imagine the former King of France, Charles X, visiting. Furthermore, other popular people who have visited the Paris Catacombs are Francis I and even Napoleon III, along with his son, who dropped by to soak in the catacomb’s mystique.

8. People Get Lost Inside Paris Catacombs

Back in the day, the Catacombs were open to everyone, but with their huge size and all those twists and turns, it’s easy to get lost, especially if you wander into off-limits areas.

During the French Revolution, Philibert Aspairt, a doorman, took a wrong turn in a hospital courtyard, and boom, he ended up in the catacombs. Crazy, right?

The wild part is, it took a bunch of cataphiles a whopping 11 years to find his remains close to an exit.

9. Associated With a Mysterious Footage

It’s reported that some brave, adventurous people decided to sneak into the catacombs, and what do they find? They stumbled upon a video showing a guy desperately escaping from what no one knows.

Up to this moment, experts are still going back and forth on whether it’s legit or not. Moreover, debates are heating up, and people can’t stop thinking about the creepy stuff happening in the catacombs.

10. Place of Unspoken Horrors

Behind all the secrets we think we know, unsaid horrors are waiting to be unraveled in the catacombs. With its vast twists and turns, this massive underground space has a truckload of spine-chilling surprises.

So, every step you take into the Catacombs is like walking into the unknown. Be ready for something that will stimulate your nerves.

11. Staircase of 243 Steps

To embark on a journey into the Paris Catacombs, one must descend 131 steps into the tunnels and ascend 112 steps to return to the surface.

A notable landmark at the entrance is the renowned sign proclaiming, “Arrête, c’est ici l’empire de la mort!” translating to “Stop! This is the empire of death!”

12. Artful Arrangement of Skulls and femurs

The galleries at Paris Catacombs showcase artfully organized skulls and femurs, displayed as part of an underground museum.

Thury introduced aesthetic elements from outdoor cemeteries, incorporating arches, columns, and decorative chambers.

Informational elements, such as educational cabinets about minerals and bone pathology,  signs, and captions, were added to enrich the visitor’s experience.

13. Artworks and Sculptures Adorning the Catacombs

In addition to housing the remains of the deceased, the catacombs have a wealth of captivating artworks and sculptures crafted over the years.

One notable contributor, Francois Décure, a former quarry worker and soldier, carved intricate designs into the limestone walls, depicting buildings and scenes.

Many believe other sculptures and mosaics within the tunnels were the handiwork of sculpture students who used soft rock for practice.

14. Once Use To Grow Mushroom 

Surprising as it may sound, the catacombs once served as an unexpected hub for cultivating Paris button mushrooms, or Champignons de Paris.

In the 19th century, Napoleonic soldiers discovered that horse manure and the dark, damp cave environment created ideal conditions for mushroom growth.

Farmers, drawn by the abandoned quarries, cultivated mushrooms, with some believing that the fungi took on unique flavors infused with minerals from the limestone surroundings.

15. Street Indicators Below Paris

Indeed, within the depths of the Catacombs beneath Paris, there exist street indicators. This proves beneficial given the extensive network of dimly lit subterranean passages stretching for 321 km/200 miles.

Remarkably, some of these street names may be recognizable, underscoring the historical longevity of the Paris Catacombs. Some of these names reflect antiquity, providing a glimpse into the enduring existence of these catacombs.

16. Quarry Laborers in Paris

The life of a quarry worker in Paris was arduous, involving long days devoid of sunlight. The combination of limited oxygen and the smoke emanating from candles used for illumination took a toll on physical and mental health.

While most men returned home in the evening, a few remained in the tunnels, seldom exposed to daylight or fresh air. The isolation and conditions even led some to descend into madness.

It is believed that any spectral presence within the Paris Catacombs does not emanate from the skeletons but rather from the spirits of quarrymen who perished below ground.

17. The Citadel of Mahon Unveiled in the Paris Catacombs

During a visit to the Paris Catacombs, a surprising discovery was a collection of carvings adorning the limestone walls.

Decoré, an enigmatic quarryman who spent his evenings underground, was responsible for these creations. 

Decoré meticulously carved a depiction of the Citadel de Mahon to pass the time, illuminated solely by candlelight.

Subsequently, he met his demise within the Catacombs, prompting speculation about his potential existence as one of the wandering spirits haunting the tunnels.

18. The Deep Well in the Paris Catacombs

Deep within the Catacombs lies a pool of water. Lean over the railing and gaze down the steep staircase leading to the water’s edge.

An illuminated sign declares, “Bain de pieds des carriers,” translating to the “Footbath for the Quarrymen.”

Envision the quarrymen descending by candlelight to cleanse their feet in this nocturnal ritual, adding another layer to the intriguing tales of life beneath Paris.

19. Subterranean Gatherings in the Catacombs

Beneath the streets of Paris, hidden entrances discreetly usher individuals into secret parties and concerts within the Catacombs, operating within the legal shadows.

In a notable incident, law enforcement stumbled upon a chamber converted into a fully equipped movie theater. 

20. The Midnight Terrors

Entwined with the mystique of the Paris Catacombs is a renowned legend that unfolds after the clock strikes midnight. For those daring enough to venture into the catacombs during these eerie hours, caution is advised.

According to the chilling tale, the walls awaken, their dormant voices attempting to entice wanderers deeper into the catacombs until escape becomes an insurmountable challenge.

It’s a narrative that adds an extra layer of suspense to the already haunting aura of this underground realm.

21. Annual Pilgrimage

In a peculiar juxtaposition, despite its grim history, the Catacombs of Paris stand as one of the city’s most sought-after tourist attractions.

Annually, a staggering 350,000 to 500,000 visitors, hailing from various corners of the globe, make the pilgrimage to absorb the unique ambience within these ancient walls.

The allure persists, drawing curious souls keen on exploring the depths of this historical and enigmatic site.

22. The Enigmatic Black Line Above

A distinctive feature within the Catacombs is a black line delicately painted along the ceiling. This visual cue guided those navigating the catacombs in the past, providing a lifeline to find their way back amidst the labyrinthine tunnels. 

If ever lost in the catacombs, the prevailing wisdom was simple: follow the black line on the ceiling, stay close, and it would eventually guide you out of the dark abyss and back into the comforting light of day.

23.The Elegance of the Royal Gallery

Immerse yourself in the allure of the Paris Catacombs as the French nobility once did by exploring the distinguished Royal Gallery.

This subterranean passage exudes a regal ambience, inviting visions of elegant ladies adorned in sweeping gowns gracefully ascending the incline beneath the captivating archways.

24. Low Ceilings

Embark on a journey through the Paris Catacombs with a watchful eye on your steps and head. Taller visitors beware.

The challenge lies in navigating the narrow passages with low ceilings, demanding careful maneuvering to avoid unexpected encounters.

25. Profound Silence

Descend 20 meters (65 feet) below ground level into the Paris Catacombs, where a profound hush envelops the tunnels.

The absence of noise pollution creates an eerily quiet atmosphere, allowing you to meander through the galleries in silence.

The only audible companions are the echoes of your footsteps and occasional distant voices from fellow explorers.

Visit Paris Catacombs: Beyond the Reach of Urban Disturbances

Discover a realm deep beneath the surface, where the rumble of passing trains never reaches your ears. The absence of external disturbances in this tranquil sanctuary enhances the immersive experience.

Additionally, don’t count on cell phone service, as connectivity at Paris Catacombs is a luxury left behind on the surface.

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