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Catacombs of Paris Reviews

1, Place Denfert-Rochereau, Paris, France 75014

Featured Review : The Paris Catacombs are a unique and pretty macarbe tourist attraction and one that was high on my list of things to see. The Catacombs are an underground ossuary where the bones of thousands of Parisians from the 18th c...See Full Review

  • #12 most popular
    thing to do in Paris
  • Avg. User Rating:
    4 out of 5 stars

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  • Catacombes (Les)

  • 5 out of 5 stars
     GreenMermaid from North Palm Beach
  • February 25, 2006
  • Best of IgoUgo
Quote: Paris Catacombs Photo - Catacombs of Paris, Paris, France The Catacombs in Paris is a huge maze of tunnels dug under the city. In 1786, all the bodies from the main cemeteries (something like 7 million) were exhumed and moved into these tunnels. At first the bones were just thrown in, but later they were arranged neatly and artistically as interest spread about this fascinating yet morbid attraction. It is easy to find--directly across the street from Metro station Denfert-Rochereau. But be aware of the limited opening times--when we went, it was only open from 2 to 4pm. The tunnels are unexpectedly extensive, and we were walking through rows and rows of bones--you walk for approximately 1km! Also, there are a lot of stairs when you first descend into the tunnels, and then when you leave, you have to climb up them again. BRING A SMALL FLASHLIGHT—the lighting is very dim and it is hard to make out details, but the flash on your camera will illuminate your photos.
From journals Paris in February

  • Denfert-Rochereaux Catacombs

  • 4 out of 5 stars
     elldub2005 from Somerset
  • September 6, 2005
Quote: Catacombs Photo - Catacombs of Paris, Paris, France The catacombs are SO COOL! Well, hopefully you think the bones of a few thousand French people are cool (yeah, I know, I'm kind of weird). But it is a cool experience. Here is an explanation of my experience.

When you arrive outside the little building, you have no idea how big the place actually is. You get inside, and walk down what seem to be an endless array of spiral stairs (By then, I was quite sick of them, I had just been to Notre Dame and St. Chappelle), you walk into a labyrinth of hallways filled with the bones of thousands upon thousands of bones set up in an almost grisly display of what the plague forced people to do with their dearly departed.


From journals Paris, France

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  • Les Catacombs

  • 4 out of 5 stars
     Clovery from NSW
  • April 25, 2005
Quote: Outside Les Catacombs Photo - Catacombs of Paris, Paris, France From the outside, the building looks like any ordinary one. But for god sakes, who knows? After entered this building, you will plunge 30m without realizing it! It starts with a stairway leading you deeper down. Then comes the tunnel, the space getting narrower, darker, and cooler. The temperature was said to be at a constant of 11°C. Eventually, it will lead you to piles of bones of 5 to 6 million people covering a surface of 11 square meters. Due to the cool tunnels, it used to have water droplets dripping from the ceiling.

Experience the thrills and fears while walking in this narrow passageway. Try this yourself without anyone near you. You would get so scared, even though you know that it is a museum and that the bones, skulls, and skeletons belong to people of a few centuries before!


From journals A Fall Idyll in Paris

  • Catacombs beneath Paris

  • 4 out of 5 stars
     wanderer 2005 from Phoenix
  • January 26, 2005
Quote: Catacombs Photo - Catacombs of Paris, Paris, France Just across the street from the Denfert-Rochereau Métro stop, there's an unassuming treasure waiting to be discovered. It’s just a few euros to take a walk into the past. There are long, dark tunnels; bones stacked in heart and cross formations; eerie noises. Be sure to take a flashlight and have good walking shoes.

Plan your visit carefully, as the hours are limited. Tours are available Tuesday through Friday 2pm to 4pm and Saturdays and Sundays 9am to 11am and 2pm to 4pm.


From journals Right or Left Bank?

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  • Les Catacombes

  • 4 out of 5 stars
     Corne from Pretoria
  • May 16, 2004
Quote: Bring a flashlight to walk through the former Roman quarries that housed Christians during the eighth century, soldiers of the French Revolution, and both Résistance fighters and occupying forces of World War II. The underground tunnels, created by the gypsum and limestone extracted below ground level to build Paris, were used to dump bones from the city's cemeteries in the late 18th century and from that time, the Catacombes became cult places to hold secret concerts and parties. Don't wear your best shoes!
From journals Photography in Paris

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