
The Paris Catacombs
The City of the Dead Beneath the Living
All About the Paris Catacombs
What could be more interesting than 6,000,000 skeletons buried underneath the streets of Paris? In the late 18th century, Paris had a major problem with its growing number of dead which were literally piling up everywhere. In 1776, Louis XVI (yes, the Louis who died by guillotine), put a project into motion that would solve the problem.
Two years prior, the ground had caved in, which reminded Parisians of a few hundred-year-old abandoned tunnel systems near the city limits. This system was created as early as the 14th or 15th centuries A.D. and was used to store the dead.
Louis XVI decided that they could solve two problems at once. Move the bodies underground in an existing system and reinforce that system so it would not collapse again. A trip to the Paris Catacombs is unlike any other adventure. Our guide to the catacombs will help you be prepared for the legends and reality of these underground caverns.
The interesting part about this entire project has to do with the Catholic Church. Tampering with the dead is a real “no-no”. According to dogma, your body is extremely important to your journey into the after-life. Bodies had to be moved from Saint-Innocents cemetery to the underground ossuary under cover of darkness not to upset the community and church.
Imagine you went to visit Grandma one day and her grave was gone with a note that said, “We’ve moved locations! You can find us stacked up with millions of other bodies in the Municipal Ossuary.” It would be quite upsetting but the powers at be needed to take action. The graves in Paris were overflowing and the city was growing. There’s so much to learn about as you explore beneath Paris and the best way is with a local guide who knows all about these famous catacombs.
Top Catacombs & Paris Tours

Likely to Sell Out
Privileged Access Paris Catacombs With Secret Rooms & Privileged Access
Discover the darkness beneath the city of light. Leave the crowds behind and let your guide enlighten you with the mystical folklore surrounding the medieval tombs.





(67)
See Prices
Latest Paris Articles
The Best Paris Catacombs Tours to Take in 2024 and Why
Popular with all age groups, the Catacombs of Paris are one of the darker attractions in the ‘City of Light’. You can visit on your own, but a guided tour will elevate any visit to a higher level. Here, I list our best Paris Catacombs tours to take this year and why they are worth…
Continue Reading The Best Paris Catacombs Tours to Take in 2024 and Why
Where to Stay in the Marais, Paris, in 2024 + Maps
The Marais. The Marsh. The Jewish Quarter. The Fashion District. The LGBT+ quarter. From narrow medieval streets, to beautiful churches, historic synagogues, boutique fashion outlets, and great eateries. That said, where should you stay in la Marais? Where is the Marais, Paris The word Marais comes from the French word for a marsh or swamp.…
Continue Reading Where to Stay in the Marais, Paris, in 2024 + Maps
Everything you Need to Know about the ETIAS Travel Authorization – New Visa Waiver for Europe
The last three years have brought some new procedures in travel. The new visa waiver ETIAS Travel Authorization is a new required step for those wishing to visit Europe. This article explains everything you need to know about the New Visa Waiver for Europe – ETIAS Travel Authorization starting in 2024. The good news is…
Where to Stay and What to Do in Montmartre, Paris, in 2024 + Maps
If you were an artist in the late nineteenth century in Europe, there is one place to go. Montmartre, Paris. Van Gogh, Monet, Picasso, and Renoir have all graced its streets and inspired generations of artists to come to the neighborhood. Nowadays, Montmartre is definitely on the tourist trail! Visitors come to see its beautiful…
Continue Reading Where to Stay and What to Do in Montmartre, Paris, in 2024 + Maps
Where to Stay and What to Do in the Latin Quarter, Paris, in 2024 + Maps
Traveling to Paris is a dream for many or a beloved place to return to for others. It is the most visited city in the world with a wealth of options for accommodation and sights to see. However, sometimes with a plurality of options comes difficulties in making an informed decision about where to stay.…
Continue Reading Where to Stay and What to Do in the Latin Quarter, Paris, in 2024 + Maps
Top 10 Things to See at Notre-Dame Cathedral in 2024
Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris and the Eiffel Tower are, without a doubt, two of Paris’ most iconic landmarks. If your knowledge of Notre-Dame is only as deep as the animated movie, it’s time to level up. Dive into everything you need to know about the things to see both inside and outside of Notre-Dame. Pro…
Continue Reading Top 10 Things to See at Notre-Dame Cathedral in 2024
Top 13 Famous Artworks to See at The Centre Pompidou
Where can you visit the largest museum of modern art in Europe? In Paris, of course! The Centre Pompidou is home to a huge collection of artworks by some of the most famous modern artists in one of the coolest buildings. This article shares some of the most famous artworks you’ll see at the Centre…
Continue Reading Top 13 Famous Artworks to See at The Centre Pompidou
Top 9 Most Famous Artworks To See at the Picasso Museum in Paris
Always wanted to see the great Picasso’s work in Paris where he created most of his art? The Musée National Picasso-Paris is the perfect place to do that! It has the largest public collection of Picasso’s work anywhere in the world, so there’s a lot to see. In this article, we’ll guide you to the most…
Continue Reading Top 9 Most Famous Artworks To See at the Picasso Museum in Paris