Paris Catacombs

Paris Catacombs

The Paris Catacombs is a famous ossuary in Paris, France, located at Place Denfert-Rochereau in the 14th arrondissement of modern-day Paris, covering an area of 11,000 square meters. It was originally an underground limestone quarry. In 1786, when a plague broke out in Paris, to address the shortage of burial space and a public health crisis, the remains buried in all cemeteries within the city were transferred here. After that, the Paris Catacombs continued to be used as a cemetery until 1814. It is now open to the public as a museum, with a small section of the catacombs available for visitors to explore.

The remains in the Paris Catacombs number approximately 6 to 7 million. Due to the overwhelming quantity of bones, it was impossible to keep them paired, so the bones were sorted and stacked by type, with the year of death marked. This resulted in femurs being arranged into relatively neat walls of bones, broken bones used to fill gaps, and skulls lining the edges of the femur walls. Human bones were stacked here without dignity, yet the arrangement itself exudes a strange sense of reverence. Exploring the catacombs means walking along paths formed by the remains of millions, requiring not only courage but also a calm mind. The dim lighting inside, coupled with the sight of the remains of 7 million people, can be a truly eerie experience.

Catacombs of Paris

Must-visit reason: The most terrifying underground ossuary

Continent where the attraction is located: Europe【Europe】

Country/Region where the attraction is located: France[France]

Province/State where the attraction is located: Île-de-France Region [Ile-de-France Region]

City where the attraction is located: Paris [Paris]