Catacombs

Ticked off the Louvre, Eiffel Tower and Seine? Make a visit to the Catacombs and discover the vast, hidden subterranean world that lies under the French capital.

Go Underground

The Catacombs is a largely unknown and underground ossuary in Paris, and acts as the final resting place for over six million Parisians. The 1.7km network of underground tunnels and small rooms are decorated with the bones of former city-dwellers.

At the end of the 1700s, overflowing cemeteries in Paris made it necessary for city officials to rehome some remains in abandoned, old limestone quarries. In its early days, the ossuary was long forgotten until it became a novelty-place for concerts and private events. In 1874 it was made open to the public as we know. Enjoy this journey into the heart of Paris’ history.

A drop within a wider ocean: the Catacombs, which itself is only 1.7km long, is part of a far more expansive network of 300km of tunnels that run underneath Paris.

Cataphiles are the locals who explore the Catacombs and the larger network of underground tunnels.

Snakes and ladders: the descent to the Catacombs is 131 steps down, with a shorter journey of 112 steps back up to daylight.

Lights, camera, action! In 2004, police found a fully-equipped movie theatre in the Catacombs underneath Trocadero.

A Dimly Lit Detour

The Catacombs are a fascinating facet of Paris’s history that is often unknown or remains overlooked. As you pass through its narrow passageways, remember that among the dead are the famous: it is believed that Voltaire, Madame du Barry, Nicolas Fouquet, and Maximilien Robespierre may all lie here.

1 Av. du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy, 75014 Paris

The entrance to the Catacombs is opposite Denfert-Rochereau, which is served by the Metro (Lines 4 and 6), the RER (Line B), and a couple of buses (Lines 38 and 68).

Be sure not to miss it! It is a very unassuming and small entrance in the middle of the square, which is easy to overlook if you aren’t looking out for it.