The Paris Catacombs

There has been limestone quarrying under Paris since Roman times. However, as Paris grew, the underground quarries became a hazard to the stability of the city. Eventually, engineers started building tunnels in an effort to stabilize the area.

At the same time, cemeteries in Paris, notably the Holy Innocents Cemetery as well as smaller church cemeteries, were becoming dangerously overcrowded, leading to improper burials. Many cemeteries effectively became mass graves, which in turn led to public health concerns. There were stories of rat infestations, bodies surfacing during rain, and people collecting human fat to make soap.

The city eventually closed down the cemeteries in the center of the city and relocated the remains into the tunnels, mostly between 1787 and 1814. Today, it is the resting place of around 6 or 7 million past Parisians. Only a small portion of the crypt is open to the public.

I purchased tickets for the Catacombs last week. After the Latin Quarter, we made our way to the 14th arrondissement where the Catacombs are located. To get to the tunnels, we descended a flight of steps until we were 20 meters underground. Then, we walked through the tunnels and viewed the crypt. Within the crypts, there were plaques to show when and where the remains came from.

Overall, this was a fascinating excursion. But, it got a little boring towards then end because there are only so many ways to stack bones and skulls artistically. Jeff also had a challenging time because of his height.

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