Navigating The Catacombs of Paris : Answers to common questions
- Washrooms: Public washrooms are available near the entrance of the Catacombs.
- Hours of Operation: The Catacombs are open daily from 10 AM to 8:30 PM, closed on Mondays.
- Important Information: The Catacombs can be quite dark and narrow, suitable for those comfortable with enclosed spaces.
- Admission Fee: An admission fee is required to enter the Catacombs.
- How Long to Visit: A visit to the Catacombs typically lasts about 1 to 2 hours.
- Parking: Parking is limited near the Catacombs, with some nearby public garages.
- Family Friendly: The Catacombs are generally not recommended for young children.
- Photography: Photography is allowed, but no flash photography in the Catacombs.
- WIFI: WIFI is not available inside the Catacombs.
- Picnic Area: There are no picnic areas near the Catacombs.
- Handicap Accessible: The Catacombs have limited accessibility for visitors with disabilities.
- Pets: Pets are not allowed inside the Catacombs.
- Guided Tours: Guided tours of the Catacombs are available and provide detailed historical context.
- Restaurant or Cafe: There is no restaurant or cafe inside the Catacombs.
- Gift Shop: The gift shop at the Catacombs offers a variety of souvenirs.
Please note all times and prices subject to change. Please check the offical website for details.
Descend beneath the bustling streets of metropolitan Paris and discover a world frozen in time, a place where the living greet the deceased line by line—the Catacombs of Paris. This renowned ossuary, perched deep beneath the City of Light, presents visitors with an uncommonly vivid history lesson and a rather chilling journey into the city's past.
Crisscrossing the 20th arrondissement, this subterranean network began as limestone quarries in Gallo-Roman times. However, it wasn't until the late 18th century that the Catacombs were born out of necessity. Overflowing and unsanitary cemeteries forced city officials to take the drastic step of moving bones underground. What began as a logistical solution, evolved over centuries into a meticulously arranged chamber of death, with more than six million people finding their final resting place here.
Taking the courage to venture into these Catacombs is like traversing through a spine-chilling history book. Once the descent starts, you receive an auditory guide that narrates the heritage of this macabre place. The narrow, winding passages lead you towards walls of arranged skulls and femurs that silently attest to the mortality of human existence. The eeriness is further enhanced as you walk under haunting inscriptions such as "Stop! Here is the empire of the dead."
Stepping into the chilling corridors of the Catacombs, one cannot ignore the prominence of death symbols adorning the walls. However, the elaborately arranged piles of bones are not just for shock and drama. They tell stories of times when Paris was stricken with plagues and wars, making the Catacombs a grim testament to the city's tumultuous past.
Despite the sobering truth presented by the Catacombs, the site also exhibits remarkable resiliency. This underground city of the dead has inspired countless artists and writers over centuries, adding an interesting cultural facet to its grim origins. Renowned figures such as François Rabelais and Victor Hugo have been inspired by its metaphorical resonance, making the Catacombs an unlikely seedbed for literary and artistic creativity.
Exploring the Catacombs of Paris offers an extraordinary and unforgettable experience, marrying the dark underbelly of the city's history with its vibrant present. Despite its eerie setting, the course traverses beyond mere ghoulish appeal. It is an immersive encounter that tells a unique story of the city's resilience and evolution— a journey that leaves visitors contemplative and fascinated.
Did You Know These Facts About The Catacombs of Paris ?
The process of moving the bones to the catacombs took place mostly at night, in a solemn procession of carts covered in black veils. The bones were then arranged decoratively in the catacombs' chambers, with inscriptions and markers indicating their origin. This macabre decor not only served a practical purpose but also reflected the Romantic era's fascination with death and the afterlife.
The Catacombs of Paris were opened to the public in the early 19th century and have since become a fascinating, if eerie, tourist attraction. Visitors can explore a small portion of the catacombs, walking through narrow corridors lined with neatly stacked skulls and bones. The atmosphere is one of solemn reflection, as the catacombs serve as a reminder of the city's history and the ever-present specter of death.
Originally, the catacombs were limestone quarries, mined to provide the stone for many of Paris's buildings. However, by the end of the 18th century, Paris's cemeteries were overflowing, leading to sanitary concerns. In 1786, it was decided to repurpose these abandoned quarries into an ossuary, relocating bones from cemeteries such as the Cemetery of the Innocents.
The catacombs have also been the subject of legends and stories, including tales of secret societies holding meetings within its dark corridors and of individuals who have ventured into unauthorized areas, never to return. Despite these tales, or perhaps because of them, the Catacombs of Paris continue to captivate the imagination of people around the world, offering a unique glimpse into the depths beneath one of the world's most bustling cities.
The Catacombs of Paris, known officially as les Carrières de Paris, offer a haunting journey into the city's subterranean past. These underground ossuaries, stretching over 200 miles beneath the city's streets, house the remains of more than six million people, making them one of the largest grave sites in the world.
Currency Exchange Rates for France1 EUR = 1.0808 $ USD
1 EUR = 1.549 $ CAD
1 EUR = 0.8362 £ GBP
1 EUR = 162.4991 ¥ JPY
1 EUR = 0.9542 ₣ CHF
1 EUR = 7.8498 元CNY
1 EUR = 8.4003 圓 HKD
1 EUR = 1.7202 $ AUD
1 EUR = 1.8882 $ NZD
1 EUR = 1.549 $ CAD
1 EUR = 0.8362 £ GBP
1 EUR = 162.4991 ¥ JPY
1 EUR = 0.9542 ₣ CHF
1 EUR = 7.8498 元CNY
1 EUR = 8.4003 圓 HKD
1 EUR = 1.7202 $ AUD
1 EUR = 1.8882 $ NZD
NOTE: Exchange rates are an average currency exchange rate from several sources. These rates are not buy or sell rates which will depend on when and where you buy or sell currency.
Verified & Trusted Contact Information for The Catacombs of Paris
Address:
1 Avenue du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy, 75004 Paris, France
Telephone: +33 1 43 22 47 63
Official Website: www.catacombes.paris.fr/
Latitude: 48.8333
Longitude: 2.3324
Map for The Catacombs of Paris
Paris 14 Current Weather
Local Temp: 7.5℃ / 45.5℉
High: 7.5℃ / 45.5℉
Low: 7.5℃ / 45.5℉
Humidity: 91 %
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