The Paris catacombs: an extraordinary ossuary
Come and discover this unique and fascinating heritage right in the heart of Paris.
The Paris catacombs are a huge underground ossuary containing the bones of millions of Parisians. They were created at the end of the 18th century to empty the city's overcrowded and unsanitary cemeteries, which were threatening public health.
The bones were placed in old limestone quarries, dug out since Antiquity to provide the building material for Paris. The catacombs became a popular place to visit in 1809, attracting the likes of Napoleon, Victor Hugo and Charles X. They are decorated with sculptures, inscriptions and macabre symbols, reflecting the fascination with death and the afterlife. They are also the scene of legends, mysteries and clandestine explorations, making this a unique and fascinating heritage site.
1 av Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy, 75014 Paris
