T municipal ossuary located in the Paris Catacombs stands as one of the largest globally and is a rare underground site of its kind. Prior to its public unveiling in 1809, Inspector Héricart de Thury orchestrated an extensive renovation project, transforming it into a monumental display of museum-like proportions.
Previously scattered bones were meticulously reorganized into structured walls mimicking quarry backfills, with rows of tibiae and skulls forming the outer façade while remaining bones were neatly stacked behind. This architectural arrangement was complemented by masonry monuments in Antique and Egyptian styles—Doric columns, altars, steles, and tombs—strategically placed along the circuit. Named after religious, Romantic, or Antique themes, areas like the Lacrymatory Sarcophagus, the Samaritan Fountain, and the Sepulchral Lamp added to its narrative richness.
To enhance its educational value, Héricart de Thury installed two cabinets resembling traditional cabinets of curiosities. One focused on mineralogy, the other on pathology, showcasing specimens related to bone diseases and deformities, as studied by Dr. Michel-Augustin Thouret in 1789. Plaques with religious and poetic texts throughout the galleries encouraged visitors to reflect and contemplate on the theme of mortality.
Scientific interest in the subterranean environment of the Paris Catacombs began early on. Soon after its opening, researchers from the French Museum of Natural History, such as botanist Jacques Maheu and speleologist Armand Viré, conducted pioneering studies. Maheu explored the unique flora thriving in its lightless conditions, while Viré discovered cave-dwelling crustaceans. In 1813, Héricart de Thury placed four goldfish in the Samaritan Fountain as an experiment; surviving but unable to reproduce, they eventually went blind. In 1861, Félix Tournachon, known as Nadar, conducted groundbreaking experiments in photography using artificial light in the Catacombs, using dummies to simulate workers due to the extended exposure times required by the darkness.
Today, ongoing efforts focus on the consolidation and preservation of the ossuary's bones in the damp underground environment, while respecting the sanctity of human remains and safeguarding the Catacombs' rich geological, archaeological, and historical heritage. The term "Paris Catacombs" originally referred specifically to the ossuary established in the eighteenth century within the quarry. However, over time, it has been used more broadly and inaccurately to describe the entire underground quarry network beneath Paris and its outskirts.
T municipal ossuary located in the Paris Catacombs stands as one of the largest globally and is a rare underground site of its kind. Prior to its public unveiling in 1809, Inspector Héricart de Thury orchestrated an extensive renovation project, transforming it into a monumental display of museum-like proportions.
During the nineteenth century, access to the Catacombs varied, with periods of complete closure and times of monthly or quarterly openings. Today, the Paris Catacombs welcome nearly 550,000 visitors each year, open to the public without needing prior authorization.