And again we are glad to welcome all sincere lovers of the fascinating world of travel! Today we have to go to an unusual place, which can hardly be called a striking landmark or a masterpiece of architecture. And although the end point of our journey is in the very center of beautiful France, the main impression that awaits us all will be a slight feeling of dread. Welcome to the underworld of Paris, the catacombs.
Why visit the catacombs
This is the question you will all be asking yourself, puzzling over why we should visit this eerie place, about which some of us have heard many frightening stories. The thing is that the Parisian catacombs are of both historical and purely tourist interest. Many of us remember the terrible stories that our senior comrades told us, sitting by the fire in the twilight, what a fear inspired intricate, but absurdly stupid plots! We have grown up and have long treated these pages of our children's history with humor. But the places about which there are many legends and scary stories for adults do exist, and the catacombs in Paris are a clear confirmation of this. So, gather all your courage and go ahead for new, vivid impressions!
Louvre: Time-Specific Entry Ticket
1-hour cruise "Lights of Paris"
Skip-the-line tickets to the roof of the Arc de Triomphe
Eiffel Tower: Second Floor Access
Versailles & Gardens: Skip-the-Line Entry Ticket with Audio Guide
Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour. Class., Prem. or Lux
Paris museums subscription: 2, 4 or 6 days
Tickets for Montparnasse: 56th Floor Roof Terrace
Show at the Moulin Rouge with champagne
History
The word "catacombs" evokes thoughts of underground fortifications in which it was possible to wait out a war, natural disaster or any other catastrophe. But the Parisian catacombs had a different purpose. According to the sources, one of the first underground parts called the "cemetery of the Innocents" appeared under the quarters of modern Paris in the 11th century. It was here that those who died during the events on the well-known St. Bartholomew's Night found their last refuge. The remains of the victims of the bubonic plague, which once raged throughout Europe, rest next to the dead.
According to the most conservative estimates, more than 2 million people are buried forever under the French capital. As you understand, such a crazy accumulation of bodies that were carriers of various infections could not be in vain. Soon, local rulers recognized the monstrous danger from the Necropolis and forbade burials within the boundaries of Paris.
It was in the 17th century, when the aforementioned ban came out, that another part of the modern catacombs appeared - Ossauri. It was founded in the old quarry of Tomb-Isoire. The dead and the dead after certain disinfection measures were taken out and stored at a depth of 17 meters. Bones and skulls were sorted, stacked on top of each other. Therefore, even today you can see one of the most creepy, and at the same time, unique creations - a real wall of human remains. The second name of Ossauria is the City of Darkness. Today it covers an area of more than 780 meters and consists of several galleries. Each of them contains identical "exhibits" - the remains of people who once lived on French soil.
Later, after the occupation of France by German troops, it was in the catacombs that numerous partisan detachments took refuge.
Underground kingdom today
Today, the Parisian catacombs are represented by a whole network of winding tunnels. Basically, these narrow underground corridors appeared thanks to local miners of limestone and other rocks that were used in the construction of palaces and cathedrals. It is impossible to accurately determine the length of all corridors and at least the approximate area occupied by the catacombs. According to some estimates, the total length of the tunnels is at least 190-300 km, and the area under the ground, which is united by "galleries" and grottoes, exceeds 11 thousand square meters.
Although the townspeople are no longer buried here today, the approximate number of people who have found eternal rest here is more than 6 million.
Scary, isn't it? But with all this, despite the horrors and unconfirmed legends that go about this place, every year thousands of tourists from all over the world come to look at the underground city of France and touch the amazing world of the Necropolis. The average number of visitors reaches 160 thousand annually.
What can be seen in the catacombs
If you are ready to touch the history and visit perhaps the creepiest place in France, then let's get acquainted with what awaits us. It would be wrong to think that apart from bones and pitch darkness, the catacombs of Paris cannot surprise you with anything else. In addition to the remains of the dead, many monuments and unusual exhibits are located underground. The walls are decorated with drawings, among which one can clearly distinguish the pen of contemporaries. You can see here the only landmark thanks to which the workers could find their way in the depths of the quarry. This is the so-called "black line" or "Ariadne's thread". After all, electricity was brought here not so long ago.
Despite the fact that the catacombs boast an impressive history, many galleries and tunnels have not changed at all since the time dozens of workers passed through them every day. In one of the central galleries you can see a real well from which limestone was mined. How many tons of this rock were lifted up and formed the basis of royal palaces - do not count!
At a depth of several meters>
As soon as you step into this realm of shadows and the dead, you feel how creepy such places can be. One gets the impression that the air is filled with lead, and the gloomy walls have forever remained the only witnesses of those terrible events. Only they alone know how many bodies are actually buried here, how much torment and fear people endured before they got into this real kingdom of the dead. Fascinating and eerie sight!
Eternal dampness and constant feeling of colossal pressure exerted by more than 20-meter layer of earth over the heads of visitors. This is the real kingdom of Hades, about which so many legends have been formed among the Hellenes. Surely, thousands of restless souls forever ended up in this cramped, confined space.
How to get to the catacombs
It is not difficult to get into the catacombs near Paris today. Access to this underground attraction is free and limited only by a small labyrinth. The rest of the underground tunnels are inaccessible to tourists. Such a ban is associated with the necessary security measures, because getting lost underground is not so difficult, it is much more difficult to get out. There have been cases when fans of unusual extreme sports sneaked into the catacombs and disappeared without a trace.
If you want to visit the catacombs, the first thing you should do is go to the Danfer-Rochereau metro station. It is near her that there is a pavilion for entering the underground labyrinths. Today, 2.5 kilometers of underground tunnels are available for tourist walks. Moreover, there is a list of places where it is strictly forbidden to be. Otherwise, you will have to deal with the police. In 1980, special police squads were formed to monitor tourists and respond to violations of the mentioned prohibitions.
Of course, it is not uncommon for lovers of unusual adventures to enter restricted areas. According to some of them, the catacombs are quite easy to get into if you know their location. For example, an inconspicuous sewer hatch or a secluded niche in a metro station can be a real door to the underworld.
The catacombs are located at 1, avenue du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy.
Opening hours: open Tuesday-Sunday from 10.00 to 17.00.
The ticket price is 8-10 euros for adults, free for children under 14 years old. Independent visit is prohibited, only as part of an excursion group.
Unusual facts
I bring to your attention a few interesting facts and historical events that are directly related to the Parisian catacombs. They will help you learn more about unusual underground tunnels and show off your knowledge among your friends when you find yourself together in this unusual and amazing place.
So, in 1878, a world exhibition was held in Paris. In addition to the fact that everyone could enjoy amazing and rare masterpieces of art, they became the first visitors to the Catacombs cafe, which is located in the underground tunnels of Chaillot.
If you have read the novel by the famous Frenchman Victor Hugo entitled "Les Miserables", you will probably be interested to know that in the plot he used the knowledge that he received while studying the underground labyrinths.
As mentioned earlier, during the Second World War, the underground tunnels of Paris were actively used by representatives of the partisan movement. Since the invaders were afraid of terrible labyrinths and did not dare to go in search of citizens who resisted the Nazi regime, in 1944 it was the underground part of the capital that was chosen as their headquarters. Moreover, as evidenced by historical documents, from the headquarters of the partisans to the main bunker of the Nazis was only 500 meters!
One of the most popular ingredients in French cuisine - champignons - is grown in the underground. The damp climate allows for an excellent harvest of these mushrooms.
In addition, during the years of the "cold" confrontation between the USSR and the United States, some catacomb galleries were equipped as bomb shelters.
Use the services of kiwitaxi and at the airport, at the specified time, the driver will be waiting for you, help with the luggage and promptly take you to the hotel. Several car classes are available - from economy to Minibus with 19 seats. The price is fixed and does not depend on the number of passengers and the address within Paris. A taxi from / to the airport is a convenient and comfortable way to get to your destination.
Catacombs of Paris on the map
This is such an unusual and unique place, which is worth visiting for every thrill-seeker.
