What can a visitor see in the catacombs?

A most unusual sight, it is said that the catacombs include the bones of more than six million Parisians. At about the same time, in the late 18th century, graffiti artists also moved in and started decorating the walls, which you will also see during your visit.



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To ensure preservation of the site, you must not eat or drink on the site circuit, and animals are not allowed. Any kind of alcohol is prohibited. And, of course, you must not touch the bones, which are the fragile remains of millions of Parisians.

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If you're feeling confident enough to explore the catacombs on your own, you can actually purchase tickets to the Catacombs of Paris which include an audio guide at no extra cost. One of the best things about this option is that tickets are available almost every day of the week.

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The biggest, most popular, and most crowded site, the Catacombs of St. Callixtus, has a vast network of galleries that house the crypts of 16 popes, as well as early Christian statues and paintings. Photo Caption: Relief sculpture inside the Catacombs of Saint Sebastian in Rome.

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Despite the ritual with which they were transferred, the bones had simply been dumped into the tunnels in large heaps. Slowly but surely the quarrymen lined the walls with tibias and femurs punctuated with skulls which form the basis of most of the decorations that tourists see today.

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People visiting Paris get very curious to explore the Paris Catacombs because it is very different from the other attractions in the city. A lot of tourists visit this place to discover and can get quite packed at times. The best time to visit the place during the day is early morning or late in the evening.

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The Paris catacombs are a cool 14 Celsius / 57 Fahrenheit year-round, and often a bit damp as well, so this isn't the place for sundresses! Opt for comfortable shoes to navigate the slightly uneven terrain, and bring a jacket for comfort.

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Some areas of the tunnels even became shrines for martyrs buried there. But after Christianity was legalized in 313 AD, funerals moved above ground, and by the 5th Century, the use of catacombs as grave sites dwindled, though they were still revered as sacred sites where pilgrims would come to worship.

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Paris is one of the great medieval cities of Europe. Like Rome, it has vast underlying passageways and quarries, called catacombs. This labyrinth of tunnels is thought to cover around 800 hectares — that's nearly 2,000 acres — beneath the city, though only a small part is explored and open to the public.

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How to dress ? You can leave your boots at home, but be sure to wear comfortable shoes! However, waiting in front of the entrance can be long, even in winter, so don't forget to dress warmly.

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The tour of the Catacombs is deep underground. The walking route is about 2km, about 1.25 miles and the average independent visit takes around one hour. You will first descend 130 steps down to the Catacombs and then at the end it's an 83-step climb to street level.

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While tours of the catacombs are offered occasionally, sleeping there is generally impossible.

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