A walk underground: visit the catacombs of Paris.
Posted in Hotel le
The largest underground ossuary in the world, the Paris Catacombs are a must-see among Parisian monuments: a 1,500-metre long path at a depth of 20 metres, for an extraordinary visit.
Following health problems in the Parisian cemeteries, the city authorities decided to transfer their contents underground. The remains of Paris' largest cemetery, the Saints-Innocents, will be removed to an old quarry.
They are actually part of a labyrinth of quarries that stretch under the city over some 800 hectares!
The Municipal Ossuary of Paris soon became the "Catacombs" in reference to those of Rome which have fascinated people since their discovery. The bones were transported at nightfall to avoid the reactions of Parisians. Stacked in galleries, the remains were not installed as we see them today until 1809, when they were opened to the public.
Several underground studies were carried out and research into pathologies continues to this day.
The Catacombs are located at a depth of 20 metres, with a 1,500-metre-long route. You have to go down 131 steps to get in and up 112 to get out!
https://www.catacombes.paris.fr/en
Access: 1 Av. du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy, 75014 Paris. 12 minutes walk from the Hotel Nude or 8 minutes by bus 38.
- Full price: 29€ (audioguide included)
- Reduced rate: 27€ (audioguide included)
- Children's rate (4 to 17 years old): 5€ (issued at the cash desk upon presentation of adult tickets)
A guided tour "Discover the Catacombs" in French is offered on Tuesdays at 6pm and Thursdays at 1pm