Taking a trip underground to see the bones in the catacombs is… surprisingly lively!

Originally dug out in order to furnish stone for building the monuments of Paris, these lime quarries were dug out beneath the city and subsequently used to store the contents of Paris’ emptied cemeteries during the 18th Century.

83 steps down and we enter the underground world of Paris’ old lime quarries.

The underground galleries have the same names as the streets that they are below.

Walking underneath the city as “urban explorers”, we feel right at home in this strange hidden place, much like the guys from “La Mexicaine de Perforation” who get into odd, secret underground venues at night to project movies “la Mexicaine de Perforation” (short TV report here, in French only – sorry!) and the “Untergunther”, who break into Paris monuments at night to repair things!.

The scene is set as soon as you arrive with a welcoming notice. Translation: Stop! This is the Empire of Death.

The tunnels are lined with meticulously arranged bones. Thousand of them have their underground home here.

Throughout the visit you’ll find sweet little phrases to boost your mood, like this one: “At night, remember you might not make it ’til morning. In the morning, remember that you might not see the night.” Macabre poems, sacred quotes… It’s a humbling experience.

A warning for all those who are tempted to steal a souvenir…
“Anyone found damaging or removing bones form the catacombs will be prosecuted”. Would you consider grabbing a souvenir like that????

After this eye-opening visit, why not finish off with a walk round the nearby Montparnasse Cemetery in the 14th arrondissement? Or there’s always Pere Lachaise in the 20th arrondissement…

More information (in French, again) on the Paris catacombs:
1 Place Denfert-Rochereau
RER B station Denfert Rochereau
75014 Paris

Les Catacombes are closed on monday.
Open from tuesday to sunday from 10:00am to 05:00pm
Entrance fee : 5 Euros