Description
The Catacombs of Paris
The history of the site
The history of the Paris Catacombs dates back to the end of the 18th century, when major sanitation problems related to the city's cemeteries led to the decision to transfer their contents underground.
The municipal ossuary of the Catacombs is one of the largest ossuaries in the world and one of the only underground ones.
Before opening to the public in 1809, it underwent significant decorative renovation under the aegis of Inspector Héricart de Thury, who transformed the place according to a museographic and monumental vision.
The bones, previously left in bulk, are carefully organized into walls, on the model of the quarry "Hagues". On the facade, rows of tibias alternate with those of skulls, while the facings pile up the remaining bones, often very fragmented by the consequences of their fall.
Masonry monuments in ancient and Egyptian style are also arranged along the route, in the forms of Doric pillars, altars, cippuses or tombs. Names inspired by religious or romantic literature and Antiquity are given to certain places, such as the Lacrymatory sarcophagus, the Samaritan fountain or the sepulchral lamp.
The Pprogram of your visit
- Free visit of the Catacombs
- Explore this space as dark as it is exciting!