Beneath the picturesque, monumental, and vigorous city of Paris lies the ghoulish burial ground that houses the remains of over six million Parisian people and generates fear, inspiration, legend, and interest for exploration for a large number of tourists each year.
the first evacuation started in the late 18th century under Louis XVI, until the urban development undertaken by Haussmann, with the main objective of keeping the decomposition of sick and disease-ridden bodies away from the mainland as it was noticed to be creating health and crop issues for the Parisian people. Bones were taken from tombs and common graves and were transported to these sites to avoid hostile reactions from common citizens. This routine of transfer of human remains continued even after the French Revolution with the creation of a specialized department that preserved the sites and restricted the visitation of the crowds to these quarries.
The place that was supposed to be hidden and forgotten rapidly became a success with French and tourists when the City Of Light opened its darkest corners to the public. Attached catacombs to Carnavalet Museum – History of Paris continues to be a place of curiosity for millions.
A place that has been laid with over 6 million dead bodies has to be a little haunted, right? At least that has been the basis of many stories, legends, and myths related to this place.
One of these stories is believed to be the inspiration behind the film “As Above, So Below”, where a group of cataphiles (people who explore catacombs) find a video camera with disturbing footage of a man being lost in these catacombs and his faith of being alive undetermined.
Various myths regarding the presence of the voice of spirit from the wall after midnight are popular among the folks.
Another bone-chilling story coming from these catacombs is about a man named Philibert Apsairt who is believed to be a doorman at the Val-de-Grace during the French Revolution. It is said that he lost his way and ended up getting lost in the underground catacombs whilst being under the influence of substances. His body was found eleven years later by a group of cataphiles and he was recognised by the door keys hanging around his neck. It is believed that his ghost comes out every 3RD November to haunt the labyrinth of the catacombs.
In 2004, a group of police officers were searching the restricted parts of the catacombs when they found very strange items there such a pre-recorded sound of a barking dog, cameras, an alcohol bar, phone lines, and a cinema house where its chairs were carved in the catacombs stones. When the police searched the place again the next day, all their previous findings were missing with a note left for them which said, “Don’t Search”. This evidence shows that these alleys are inhabited by ethical people and are an easy hideout spot for criminals.
We don’t know the authenticity of these stories but one thing we can say is the fact that some places should be and need to be left alone and if you do decide to explore these parts of Paris city then don’t forget to hire a professional or a tour guide!