Paris Catacombs is on my to-do list in Paris as it is an unique site where you'll find bones of more than 6 million dead being stacked together or arranged in a network of underground tunnels. If you wish to explore the darker side of the City of Light, this is the place you should visit while in Paris.
Getting there:
Metro: Denfert-Rochereau (line 4 & 6)
RER train: Denfert-Rochereau (line B)
Bus No. 38 / 68
How to buy the tickets:
Online booking is now mandatory for all tickets.
Admission fee:
EUR 24 per adult / EUR 22 (reduced price)
EUR 14 per adult / EUR 12 (reduced price) - special fare for last minutes tickets
EUR 5 for child
* Children under age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult.
I was lining up for my timed entry (6pm) when I was told that I couldn't bring a stroller to enter the catacombs. The staff didn't speak much English, he just told me "No stroller" and when I asked if I could leave it at the ticket office, he said "No." I was told to leave the stroller at some nearby cafe instead. At one point, I felt as if they might deny my entry. Thankfully, after I fully folded the stroller (it was a compact foldable air cabin stroller), I was allowed to enter, provided that I carried it on my shoulder during the visit and be careful not to damage the property.
* Take note that you also cannot enter the catacombs with suitcase and luggage or bag larger than 40x30cm. They must be carried in front of your body or in your hand.
After I went through the security scanning, I picked up an audio guide and scanned the barcode on the tickets to enter. Next, I descended 130 steps on a spiral staircase leading to the 20 m deep underground quarry. The temperature down there was a bit chilly and damp, about 14 degree Celsius, but it wasn't an issue to us as we were already dressed warmly.
Here's a bit of history of Paris Catacombs: Due to public health issues, the catacombs was created in the late 18th century in an abandoned underground limestone quarries dating from the 15th century. The first bones were transferred here from what was the largest Parisian cemetery at that time, the Sain-Innocents Cemetery. Little by little, these former limestone quarries began to house the bones from all the cemeteries of central Paris.
In the early 19th century, the Catacombs were opened to public by appointment. But before being opened to the public in 1809, it underwent an extensive decorative rearrangement into what we see today.
This sign refer to the Arcueil Aquaduct, built between 1613 and 1623 in order to bring water to Paris from springs in Rungis.
It was hard to imagine that these long and narrow corridors actually follows the paths of the streets above ground!
This area called the "workshop" refers to part of the quarry that is still fully visible today. These pillars supporting the quarry ceiling date from the medieval times.
This is a ramp that connects the upper and lower Catacombs. After this is the entrance to the ossuary. I totally missed the famous sign carved into the door lintel ‘Arrète! C’est ici L’empire de la Mort’ (Stop! This is the empire of the dead). Sigh...
Wall of skulls.
Everywhere you look, you'll find more skulls and bones.
This so-called fountain is actually a well. The quarry workers used it to make the mortar used in construction of the hagues.
When Hericart de Thury developed this area, he created signage indicating from which Parisian cemetery the bones originated.
Last but not least, this is the Crypt of the Passion, which is one of the most photographed sites of the Catacombs. It is a supporting pillar hidden by skulls and tibias that forms a barrel shape. A night concert was organised here on 2 April 1897. It drew over 100 participants to hear the concert here.
After the tour which lasted about 45 minutes, I climbed another spiral staircase back to the surface. It was a thrilling experience indeed to walk through the Catacombs. Recommended!
Paris Catacombs
Opening hours:
Open daily from 9.45am to 8.30pm. Closed on Mondays. Ticket window closes at 7.30pm.
Website: https://www.catacombes.paris.fr/en#
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