How to Tour the Haunted Catacombs of Paris

The haunted Catacombs of Paris, France, are a massive collection of bones moved from cemeteries in Paris to the tunnels of underground stone queries. The bones were moved from the late part of the 1700s to the mid 1800s. People believe that the way the bodies were placed in the tunnel is disrespectful and causes the spirits to haunt the living. After being in the presence of the bones, many people claimed to have heard voices and were too afraid to enter again.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Plan to visit the haunted Catacombs museum from Tuesday through Friday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Visitors can also plan for a Saturday morning trip from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. or a Sunday afternoon tour from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
2. Take the metro to get to Catacombs in Paris. Get off on the Denfert-Rochereau stop in Montparnasse.
3. Purchase an inexpensive ticket and take a self-tour to experience the haunted Catacombs museum without a guide.
4. Descend into the Catacombs by walking down the spiral staircase. The 130 step staircase leads 20 meters underground.
5. Enter the winding and dimly lit tunnel. Follow the path until you get to the painted pillars.
6. Behold the Denfert-Rochereau Ossuary, also known as "Empire of the Dead," found inside the Catacombs. Expect a greeting from stacks of bones and human skulls piled several feet high on all sides.
7. Marvel at the over 6 million skeletons held inside of the Catacombs. Respect the dead and leave the skulls and bones undisturbed.
8. Walk over a mile through the length of the Catacombs to tour all of the official sites.
9. Enjoy the benefits of renovations to the Catacombs, which were completed in 1995.
10. Bring a camera on your tour. Photographs are allowed inside of the museum.
11. Notice the signs hung in tunnels stating which cemeteries the bones came from and the dates they were moved into the Catacombs.
12. Experience the true underground of Paris, France and find an unofficial entrance to the Catacombs. Be ready to crawl on bones and experience how the tunnels actually might have looked when the bones were first moved decades ago.

Tips & Warnings

• Check the dates of the bank holidays in France before planning your trip. The Catacombs are closed on bank holidays.
• Respect the dead and do not move or touch any bones or skulls found inside of the Catacombs.