Beneath the modern streets of Paris lies a dark and eerie world: a labyrinth of tunnels lined with the bones of millions of long-dead Parisians. The Catacombs of Paris are a centuries-old subterranean necropolis with great historical significance.
The Catacombs of Paris were born out of necessity, a solution to a pressing public health crisis that plagued the city in the 18th century. As Paris grew and prospered over the centuries, its cemeteries became dangerously overcrowded. The largest and oldest cemetery, Les Innocents, located in the heart of the city, had been in use for nearly ten centuries and was literally overflowing with the dead. The situation reached a critical point in 1780 when a prolonged period of heavy rain caused a wall of the Les Innocents cemetery to collapse, spilling corpses into a neighboring property. The stench of decay permeated the area, and concerns about disease and contamination reached a fever pitch. It became clear that a drastic solution was needed to address the city's burial crisis.
The decision was made to exhume the bones from Les Innocents and other overcrowded cemeteries and relocate them to abandoned quarries beneath the city. These quarries, which had been used to extract limestone for building many of Paris's iconic structures, provided a vast network of underground tunnels ideal for storing the human remains.
The transformation of these quarries into an ossuary was overseen by Charles Axel Guillaumot, the Inspector General of Quarries. Guillaumot was initially tasked with mapping and reinforcing the quarry system to prevent cave-ins, which had become a serious problem in Paris. When the decision was made to use the quarries as a depository for the city's dead, Guillaumot oversaw the initial transfer of bones.
The transfer of bones to the Catacombs began in 1786 and continued intermittently until 1860. The first depositions were conducted at night in solemn processions, with priests chanting the office of the dead as carts laden with bones made their way through the streets of Paris. Initially, the city simply dumped the bones into the quarry spaces. However, as the project continued, more organization was introduced. In 1810, Louis-Étienne Héricart de Thury, the Inspector of the quarries, began the work of transforming the haphazard bone repository into a visitable mausoleum. Under his direction, skulls and femurs were stacked into neat walls, creating the aesthetic that characterizes the Catacombs today. Héricart de Thury envisioned the Catacombs not just as a practical solution to overcrowded cemeteries but as a contemplative space that would inspire reflection on mortality.
Skull arranged in the Paris Catacombs
Stacks of bones and a commemoration to the cemetary where many originally were buried, Les Innocents
Skulls and stacks of bones. It is estimated 6 to 7 million were laid to rest in the Parisian Catacombs
In 1810, Louis-Étienne Héricart de Thury, the Inspector of the quarries, began the work of transforming the haphazard bone repository into a visitable mausoleum.
It's important to note that the number of individuals represented in the Catacombs far exceeds the number of complete skeletons.
The remains are predominantly disarticulated bones, with skulls and femurs being the most prominently displayed.
The Catacombs began attracting visitors almost as soon as they were established. In 1787, a year after the first bones were transferred, Count d'Artois (the future King Charles X) made a visit with a group of court ladies. However, it wasn't until 1809 that the Catacombs were opened to the public for the first time. Public visits were initially limited and required official permission. The site gained popularity throughout the 19th century, with notable visitors including Napoleon III in 1860. In 1874, the Catacombs were opened for regular public visits, though access was still limited. It wasn't until the late 20th century that the site became a major tourist attraction. Today, the Catacombs are one of Paris's most popular attractions, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.
Estimating the exact number of individuals whose remains are interred in the Catacombs is challenging, but most sources agree that the figure is in the millions. The most commonly cited estimate is that the Catacombs contain the remains of approximately 6 to 7 million people. The number of individuals represented in the Catacombs far exceeds the number of complete skeletons. The remains are predominantly disarticulated bones, with skulls and femurs being the most prominently displayed. This makes precise counting impossible, and estimates are based on historical records of cemetery clearances and bone transfers.
Despite their macabre nature, the Catacombs of Paris are generally considered safe for visitors. The section open to the public is regularly maintained and monitored to ensure structural integrity and visitor safety. However, the vast network of tunnels beyond the official tour route can be dangerous and is off-limits to the public. Unauthorized exploration of these areas, known as "cataphilia," is illegal and potentially hazardous due to the risk of getting lost or encountering unstable sections. The remains in the Catacombs do not pose a health risk. The bones are centuries old, and any pathogens that might have been present have long since died. The environment is kept dry and well-ventilated, which further reduces any potential health hazards. However, as with any underground space, those with respiratory issues should exercise caution.