In late October, the blogger behind MessyNessyChic descended below the streets of Paris, into the winding labyrinth known as the Catacombs of Paris. Luckily for us, she took photos.
The Catacombs of Paris are actually two things: a system of old mining tunnels and an ossuary. Constructed from the remains of old mining tunnels, the ossuary opened in the 18th century to house the overflow of dead; the burial ground of Les Innocents cemetery was full to the brim. Bones were also packed into the cemetery walls. Eventually, the cemetery, along with others in the city, were demolished, and the bones moved into what are now the Catacombs. It’s estimated that the remains of some six million people are in the Catacombs.
The Catacombs have been used, legally and not, ever since. The French Resistance used them during World War II and, at the same time, so did the Germans. Today, the ossuary, where the bones are kept, is open to the public. The connecting tunnels, however, are not. They were left over from old mining sites and run all through the city. In more recent times, urban explorers, known as “cataphiles,” have taken to walking the maze-like tunnel system, despite the danger of no light and no navigation. It’s been a favorite of graffiti artists since the 1780s, and secret parties are sometimes thrown in them.
So if you’re intrigued but put off by the prospect of getting lost in a subterranean labyrinth, never fear. You can experience it vicariously through MessyNessy’s photos.
This is only a small portion of the city’s tunnel system. There’s much more down there!
Going into the catacombs is dangerous, and people have been lost forever in them, so it’s best to go with an experienced guide. However, it’s also not exactly legal, so most “tours” are arranged in secret. There are also organizations like We Are the Oracle that host events and parties in abandoned places like this.
Via MessyNessyChic
