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Overview For Catacombs Of Paris
Catacombs of Paris History
The origins of the Paris Catacombs dates back to the late eighteenth century when a major catastrophic situation brought the city together to move its dead to an underground site. The groundwork was laid down in 1786 when King Louis XV passed a decree that banned the burial of the deceased in cemeteries within the city limits.
This was because the rise in population was making the city burst at the edges as it was not able to keep up with the rate of expansion. Cemeteries were beginning to get overcrowded and graves started becoming shallow. The surfaces started emanating the rotting smell of decomposing flesh as bio-fluids started oozing out of the ground. Things came to a critical juncture one night when a huge storm hit the city and incessant rainfall caused the land to collapse at the cemetery due to an overload of corpses. The dead bodies began to fall out and into the neighborhood areas when the big decision was taken to move the remains of the dead into the tunnels that ran below the streets of Paris. Overnight carts were loaded with millions of human bones and taken to the ossuary where they were stacked neatly for several kilometers, forming the Catacombs of Paris.
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Things To See Inside Catacombs Of Paris
This structure is located in an area at the center of all skulls and bones within the Catacombs Of Paris, known as the Crypt of Passion. The massive eerie barrel shape holds more bones and skeletons within it and was erected in 1897 when an illegal concert featuring Chopin’s Funeral March and the Danse Macabre by Camille Saint-Saens in the middle of the night was being held here.
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The underground world of the Catacombs of Paris has been brilliantly organised so that visitors can cross from the upper catacombs to the lower ones with the help of a support ramp. While at most parts, the quarry was dug out only at one level, there are certain areas where the quarrymen explored the area at two different levels.
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There were certain exhibits placed within the Catacombs of Paris, one of the most fascinating being the Citadel de Mahon carved out by Decure. A veteran of the French Army, he did the sculpting completely from memory of the actual structure. However, legend goes that he was killed within the very walls of these catacombs when he was trying to construct a stairway that would lead visitors to the exhibit.
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When you are traversing through the tunnels comprising the Catacombs of Paris, you will reach a point where you will face a winding staircase that leads to a small well. This is considered to be the first-ever geological drilling that was done in Paris, intended at seeing the geological layers of the city. You will also see a back wall here with light shining on the words that mean ‘Foot Bath of the Quarrymen’.
Plan Your Visit to Catacombs of Paris
Location: 1, Avenue du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy (place Denfert-Rochereau), 75014 Paris
Opening hours:Tuesday to Sunday from 9:45 AM to 8:30 PMThe Catacombs of Paris are closed on Mondays and certain holidays including January 1, May 1, and December 25
This is a one way circuit that runs for a kilometer and a half and exit is at 21 bis, Avenue René-Coty.
There is no coat or luggage room here and you will not be allowed to carry suitcases and large bags inside the Catacombs of Paris to ensure its safety and preservation. Visitors are allowed to carry bags that measure less than 40X30 cm. in front of the body or in the hand. There are over a 100 steps to go down, and the site is not wheelchair accessible.
The dimly lit passageways are narrow, with an uneven path that may get slippery in parts. There is a constant temperature of 14 degrees Celsius maintained within the Paris Catacomb and the number of visitors inside is limited to 200 at a time.
The Paris Catacombs are not recommended for sensitive individuals who may find the site disturbing, pregnant women, motor disabled, or individuals suffering from Claustrophobia, cardiac and respiratory insufficiency, etc. Individuals with mental disabilities may find the atmosphere anxiogenic and thus is not recommended for them.
Sight-disabled individuals and children who are under the age of 14 and visiting the Paris Catacomb must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Places to visit near Catacombs of Paris
This Museum is one of the most important places of tourist attractions and a great site to visit when you are at the Catacombs of Paris. The world’s largest museum, the Louvre is housed within the Louvre Palace on the banks of the Seine. Visit Louvre Museum not only for its awe-inspiring façade and architecture, but also for the impressive collections of Egyptian antiques, Roman antiquities, Greek, Etruscan, and Islamic art, paintings, prints, and its most famous exhibit, the Mona Lisa by Leonardo di Vinci.
Head to the renowned Jardin du Luxembourg, or the Luxembourg gardens after you visit Catacombs Paris, a complete contrast to its grimness. This is the garden of the French Senate and the second largest public park in Paris inspired by the Boboli Gardens in Florence. Take a stroll around the beautifully manicured park to soak in the local vibe and the cosmopolitan air of the city amid the lush greenery of the garden. You can also catch visitors here spending a relaxed evening playing chess and even bee keeping.
This iconic structure towering high into the Parisian sky, is in all likelihood, the prime symbol that defines the country. Your visit to the city of Paris may well remain incomplete without a visit to the Eiffel Tower and so head down to the Champ de Mars area after you see the Paris Catacombs. The 300 feet marvel also has an observation deck at one of its three levels where visitors are hosted. In the evenings, the glittering light show here is an absolute marvel and one you must not miss.
Constructed in the mid-thirteenth century, Sainte Chapelle was commissioned by King Louis IX with the sole purpose of storing his collection of relics. These include important antiquities from the last days of Jesus Christ until his crucifixion, including the Christ’s Crown of Thorns that was later hosted by the Notre Dame Cathedral. You can also see in this classic Gothic structure, one of the most enviable stained glass collections in the world.
Visit the most famous religious landmarks of the city after you have seen the renowned Catacombs of Paris. Constructed by the French colonists in the late 1800s. The Notre Dame Cathedral is a classic example of Romanesque architectural features. Its distinctive red façade along with twin bell towers, stained glass windows, and a tall statue of the Virgin Mary in front, makes it stand out. It is one of this city’s most visited and beloved landmarks not only for its holy sanctity but for its symbolic importance.
Situated calmly by the banks of the River Seine, the Musee d’Orsay houses an enviable collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist collective art. The exquisite architecture of the building is in itself a sight to behold apart from hosting the works of famous artists including Renoir, Dali, Monet, Cézanne, Gaugin, and Van Gogh to name a few. You can witness decorative arts, sculptures, and architectural structures among its collection including several classic pieces like The Artist's Studio, Self Portrait, Starry Night over the Rhone, and Whistler's Mother, among several others.
Catacombs of Paris FAQs
Can you touch the bones in the Paris Catacombs?
No, you cannot touch the bones in the Paris Catacombs. This is to ensure the preservation of this ancient site which houses the delicate remnants of thousands of Parisians in the form of bones, skulls, and skeletons.
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Is it okay to visit the Catacombs of Paris alone?
Yes, you can visit the Catacombs of Paris alone, but can venture only into certain parts of it that are open to the general public. The rest of the area is closed and visitors are not allowed in these parts. Children below the age of 14 cannot visit alone and need to be accompanied by an adult. You can take a self-guided tour to find your way around. However, since the interiors are dank and dreary, it is best to travel with someone.
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Are there any guide services available with Catacombs of Paris tickets?
There are audio guides you can borrow from the staff here that you can use. It will guide you along the way as well as tell you about the history of how it was constructed
Can we click pictures inside Catacombs of Paris?
Yes, you can take pictures inside the Catacombs of Paris although you are not allowed to touch the ancient remains that are housed here. Most parts of the catacomb are very dimly lit and thus you may need to use a flash when clicking pictures.
How long does it take to visit the Paris Catacombs?
The average time it takes to go through the Catacombs of Paris independently is about one hour. The walking route stretches around 2 km and consists of almost 130 stairs to descend into it.
Are the catacombs of Paris haunted?
The Catacombs of Paris look extremely grim and sinister for their very location deep underground. Moreover, most of the tunnels are very dimly lit and there have been cases where people have lost their way touring the tunnels. All these coupled with the fact that the ossuary houses millions of bones of the dead, give the catacombs a haunted vibe.
When were the catacombs of Paris built?
The Catacombs of Paris were built during the years between 1787 and 1814 after the then Saints-Innocents cemetery was closed. It took the Parisians almost 12 years to transfer all the remains of the dead into the ossuaries.
What is the best time of day to visit the catacombs of Paris?
The best time to visit the Catacombs of Paris is during the early morning in order to avoid long queues. The catacombs allow a maximum of 200 visitors within it at a time.
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