Delving into Paris' Concealed Past: A Journey beneath the Surface for Tourists
Beneath the romantic streets of Paris lies a network of historical underground sites, each with its own unique story to tell. The most famous of these is the **Paris Catacombs**, but the city has numerous other subterranean treasures waiting to be discovered.
Originally limestone quarries, the Catacombs were repurposed in the late 18th century as ossuaries to address overflowing cemeteries and public health concerns. Today, they hold the remains of over six million Parisians and serve as a haunting labyrinth of tunnels lined with carefully arranged bones and skulls, making them a unique historical landmark and a glimpse into Paris’s subterranean past[1][3].
Key highlights of the Catacombs experience include:
- The **Port-Mahon Corridor**, adorned with sculptures by quarryman Francois Décure, who memorialized his captivity by carving intricate stone tributes. - The **Ossuary**, featuring ceiling-high stacks of bones arranged in symmetrical patterns and notable installations like the Barrel of Passion. - An underground well with crystal-clear turquoise water, believed to be over 45 feet deep and one of the earliest geological drillings in Paris[3].
Access to the Paris Catacombs is possible through guided or self-guided tours, which provide safe and informative visits to a portion of this vast underground complex. The public entrance is controlled, so visitors should secure tickets in advance, especially during peak tourist seasons. Various tour operators offer:
- Standard guided tours exploring the main ossuary tunnels and their history. - Special access tours that may include areas like the Port-Mahon Corridor with its artistic carvings. - Ticket options via platforms such as GetYourGuide or official Catacombs ticket sites to avoid long wait times[3][4].
The Catacombs are the prime example of Paris’s underground historical sites open to visitors, but the city also has numerous other subterranean features such as old quarries and underground watersheds, though these are typically not accessible to the public due to safety and preservation reasons.
Other hidden gems beneath the city include:
- The **Command Bunker**, a secret command post of Colonel Rol-Tanguy, a leader of the French Resistance, located twenty meters below the Place Denfert-Rochereau. - The **Place des Vosges Cellars**, beneath one of Paris's oldest squares, reflect the aristocratic indulgence and architectural sophistication of the 17th century. - The **Paris Sewer Museum** offers a tour through the city's complex underground wastewater system, highlighting the engineering brilliance of Baron Haussmann's modern sewage network. - The **Musee des Arts Forains** in Pavillons de Bercy Cellars features underground storage areas that showcase carousels, games, and magic mirrors beneath historic wine warehouses. - The **Basilique Saint-Denis Crypt** houses France’s royal necropolis and is often referred to as the birthplace of Gothic architecture. - The **Saint-Sulpice Crypt** is located beneath the Church of Saint-Sulpice and contains ancient tombs and early Christian relics. - The **Ecole des Mines de Paris** has a maze of rock tunnels and geological samples beneath its courtyard, serving as educational exhibits and rarely open to the public. - The **Crypt of the Pantheon** is located beneath the grand dome of the Pantheon and houses many of France's greatest minds. - The **Crypte Archeologique de l'Ile de la Cité** is just steps from Notre-Dame and features preserved Roman ruins, medieval walls, and the foundations of ancient buildings. - The **Eiffel Tower Military Bunker** is located beneath the Champ-de-Mars near the Eiffel Tower’s base. - The abandoned limestone quarries beneath Montparnasse, once used to build Paris, now serve as locations for guided tours and heritage days. - The **Sorbonne University** has ancient wine cellars and storage vaults beneath its historic buildings, occasionally open during heritage events. - The **Musee de la Magie**, located in 16th-century vaulted cellars in Le Marais, showcases illusion and sleight of hand with antique magic tricks and live demonstrations. - The **Canal Saint-Martin Underground Vaults** offer a rare glimpse into 19th-century hydraulic engineering. - Viaduc des Arts, beneath an old railway line, houses artisan workshops, ranging from violin makers to glassblowers, beneath a lush, elevated park.
Exploring these hidden gems beneath the streets of Paris offers a unique perspective on the city's history and culture, providing a fascinating journey through time and secrets. Whether you're a history buff or just looking for a unique experience, these underground sites are definitely worth a visit.
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris_Catacombs [2] https://www.catacombes.paris.fr/ [3] https://www.getyourguide.com/paris-l16/paris-catacombs-tours-and-tickets-l16/ [4] https://www.catacombes.paris.fr/visite-guidee/
- Although Paris is popular for its romantic streets and fashion-and-beauty, it also offers an intriguing subterranean world for travelers seeking unusual things to do in the city.
- The Paris Catacombs, one of the most visited subterranean sites, are a network of tunnels housing six million Parisians' remains, providing a haunting glimpse into the city's past.
- Apart from the Catacombs, there are other hidden gems such as the Command Bunker, the Place des Vosges Cellars, the Paris Sewer Museum, and the Musee des Arts Forains.
- Education-and-self-development tours might include the Ecole des Mines de Paris with geological samples, or the Musee de la Magie, featuring antique magic tricks.
- In addition to historical sites like the Basilique Saint-Denis Crypt and the Crypt of the Pantheon, entertainment options like the Viaduc des Arts, offering artisan workshops, and the Canal Saint-Martin Underground Vaults, showcasing 19th-century hydraulic engineering, can also be found beneath Paris's streets.
