- History and visit the Catacombs in Paris
- Exploring the Depths: The Paris Catacombs
- Transfer to the Catacombs in Paris
History and Visit of the Catacombs in Paris
The Catacombs of Paris, situated in the 14th arrondissement, originated from ancient underground quarries repurposed to house around six million remains from overcrowded Parisian cemeteries, notably the Cemetery of the Holy Innocents. While commonly referred to as “Catacombs,” the site is technically an ossuary. Thus, the term “municipal Ossuary” would be a more accurate description. The name “Catacombs” was inspired by the ancient Roman underground necropolises. Officially inaugurated as a municipal ossuary in 1810, this site has been classified as a museum under the auspices of the City of Paris and is associated with the Carnavalet Museum. Its eerie allure attracts over 300,000 visitors annually.
By the late 18th century, the cemeteries of Paris were nearing capacity, creating a dire need for alternative burial solutions to mitigate health risks. The Cemetery of the Innocents, in particular, presented a disturbing sight, with mass graves containing over 1,500 bodies and an additional 200 individual burials occurring yearly. The health implications alarmed doctors from the Royal Academy and the University of Paris, raising fears of potential epidemic outbreaks. By 1780, the putrefaction odors had become intolerable, and the city’s expansion needs made the closure of the cemetery urgent. Antoine-Alexis de Vaux, an inspector for the city of Paris, echoed these concerns. In response, development of an ossuary began in 1782 within an existing underground quarry, facilitating the relocation of remains from saturated cemeteries. This monumental task of transferring the remains, which commenced in 1785 and observed all necessary religious rites, spanned a century, moving countless corpses (estimated to exceed six million) from various cemeteries, monasteries, and convents.
Exploring the Depths: The Paris Catacombs
The Catacombs of Paris stretch over 1.7 km and encompass an 11,000 m² area within the ossuary, representing merely a fraction of the extensive underground quarries. There exists an even greater expanse of underground ossuaries, many of which remain unknown and inaccessible to the public. The site is notorious for its macabre display: neatly aligned bones arranged in eerie patterns. This alignment includes femurs, skulls, and crossbones organized to form ghastly friezes. Behind these morbid “strips” lie neatly stacked, entwined bones. Scattered throughout are engraved stones bearing religious, literary, and philosophical quotations, alongside plaques that inform visitors of the year of transfer and the cemetery from which the bones were relocated.
One of the highlights of the ossuary is the Fountain of the Samaritan (also known as the Source of Oblivion or Lethe), established in 1810, which alludes to a biblical narrative. Additionally, there is the crypt Saccellum, a type of mortuary chapel where requiem masses were held, complete with an altar. The ossuary contains a singular gravestone, belonging to Françoise Géllain, a woman entwined in a poignant love story with a prisoner. Near the ossuary’s exit lies the Crypt of the Passion, also referred to as the shin rotunda, which features a sculpture crafted entirely from shin bones. Beyond these subterranean chambers and tunnels, the Catacombs of Paris include various workshops and galleries, adding to the complexity and intrigue of this historical site.
Transfer to the Catacombs in Paris
Explore the historic Catacombs of Paris with ease by booking our private shuttle service from Paris airports. Located 15 km from Orly, 33.1 km from Charles de Gaulle, and 96.6 km from Beauvais, our service offers a direct and comfortable route, ideal after a long flight. Taxis, while direct, may be expensive and vary with traffic. Public transport like the RER and metro are cheaper but challenging with luggage. Given these factors, our shuttle service provides a balance of cost and convenience, ensuring a stress-free start to your Paris visit. Learn more about our competitive rates and reliable transfers to CDG airport.