Discovering the Paris catacombs from the Sophie Germain

Located 20 metres beneath the ground, the Paris Catacombs hold the bones of more than 6 million people. In the late 18th century it was decided that certain Paris cemeteries, which had become horribly overcrowded and a source of disease, should be emptied of their occupants, who would be gradually transferred to the vast ossuary that later became a site of historical and cultural interest, the Catacombes de Paris.

The birth of a mausoleum and historical site

The overcrowding of the famous Holy Innocents’ Cemetery, often used for mass graves, had become a public health hazard by 1785, so the Council of State decreed that the remains interred there should be exhumed and transferred to a new location. The site chosen was a natural and reasonable one; the mines from which Lutetian Limestone had once been extracted for building the city of Paris. This practice had left numerous tunnels beneath the city’s suburbs. After the blessing and consecration of the new ossuary, the emptying of the Holy Innocents’ Cemetery began. This was the first of several transfers of remains from Parisian cemeteries, a task that was finished by 1814.

A resting place of famous personalities

The remains of famous people are buried in the catacombs, among them the writer Jean de la Fontaine (1621 - 1698) and the architect Jules Hardouin-Mansart (1646-1708). The victims of the September 1792 massacre were buried directly in the Catacombs, as were the Swiss guards killed during the Revolution and the storming of the Tuileries on August 10th, 1792.

The Catacombs of Paris, a cultural site

The Paris Catacombs are not only an ossuary, but also a place of historic and, indeed, prehistoric interest. Until December 31st 2015, an unmissable exhibition entitled ‘La Mer à Paris’ is being presented 20 metres underground. This tells the fascinating story of the tropical Lutetian Sea which, some 45 million years ago, covered the area where Paris now stands. Even today it is possible to see the vestiges of this extraordinary time and the richness of the geological heritage of Paris.

A visit to the catacombs, what you need to know

You can visit the Paris Catacombs every day except Mondays. It’s not recommended for young children, people of a sensitive disposition or those with respiratory or heart problems. You need good walking shoes as the 45 minute tour involves a descent of 130 steps and a climb of 83 steps. Also, you need to dress for a temperature of 14 ° over a distance of 2 km. Please note that the site has no toilet facilities.

The Hotel Sophie Germain welcomes you for a fascinating cultural holiday

The Hotel Sophie Germain is located just minutes from the Paris Catacombs. Take advantage of our offers and excellent choice of services in a welcoming establishment dedicated to relaxation. Located in the heart of Paris, near the Mouton-Duvernet Metro and Denfert-Rochereau railway stations, the Hotel Sophie Germain hotel is also close to the rue Daguerre and its famous street markets.

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Picture copyright holder: Passion Leica by flickr.com

Hotel Sophie Germain, a charming 3* hotel on the left bank of Paris