Whether you have been to a place once, twice, or twenty times there is always something new waiting to be discovered. Paris is one of those places you might have done all of the “main” sights. Been up the Arc De Triomphe, taken a stroll along the Champs Elysees, gone up the Eiffel Tower. But have you been below the city? Or to one of the biggest cemeteries in France? No?… well, this is the darker side of the shining city The Catacombs of Paris and the Pere Lachaise Cemetery.

Catacombs of Paris

Plunge into the darkness underground; surrounded by the bones of 6 million people and see what stories you come out with. A bone-chilling, hair standing on the back of your neck and an incredible sight to see. The Catacombs of Paris are 322 miles of complex underground tunnels. The Tunnels were originally used for limestone mines which were abandoned in the 18th Century. Due to the influx of disease in the city; the bodies were piling up in Paris and the graveyards were overflowing. The city needed to find another solution.

Why not use the abandoned tunnels?

Local quarries were dug up to create vaults which eventually all the bodies from various graveyards were moved to. The bodies were moved under the cover of darkness to avoid any unrest from the general public. Once in the quarry, the staff took it upon themselves to create “art” out of the bones. Stacking them into walls of individual bones legs, arms, and skulls all positioned perfectly together.

Now open to the public the Catacombes of Paris is a huge drawcard for tourists; this is so different from the normal sightseeing activities. It is Illegal to enter the tunnels on your own; you must go on a tour. The reason being the tunnels are so elaborate and vast; the chances of getting lost are very high and you would not be able to find your way out. The tunnels have plagues and street names to make it easier to navigate. Firstly you enter the chambers where they give you a safety briefing; if you are claustrophobic or have difficulty walking this is NOT a place for you. After, they take you down a spiral staircase into the Catacombs of Paris wandering through the human art of centuries.

Spooky Stories

There was a man who went missing in the tunnels; it wasn’t until 11 years later that his body was found. The conclusion was drawn that he starved to death trying to find his way out. It is said that they found his body close to one of the exits.

A few years ago a camcorder was found in the tunnels; the footage on it showed a couple looking around the tunnels; they gradually realise that they were lost, and then they begin to run and drop the camera and kept running. They have never been seen again.

Visitors have claimed that they were “touched by unseen hands”. Others claim to have had the sensation of being followed; cold spots in certain areas a few cases of hysterical breakdowns; a few others have claimed to have been strangled.

Send in the police!!

In 2004 a squad of police officers went into the Catacombs of Paris; to try to put a stop to the people who were illegally exploring the caves. What they found was much weirder they found a little society under there; complete with a movie theatre, restaurant as well as CCTV cameras. It triggered the sound of barking dogs when you pass them by. The police left and came back the next day to do a full investigation; everything they have seen the day before was gone with only a note saying “Do not Search”

For years there were large gangs that hang out in the tunnels as well; who perform rituals in some of the cathedral-like openings within the cave system.

Are you ready to visit? The Catacombs of Paris

• It is 14 Euro for a ticket at the door, or you can buy them on sites like Expedia or Viator.
• The Catacombs of Paris have become really popular over the years with tourists as an alternative to normal sightseeing. During the summertime the wait times are extreme. Buying skip the line tickets and pre-purchase your tickets, they do sell out!
•  They are open Tuesday to Sunday from about 10am to 8:30pm
• Only allow 200 visitors at a time for safety reasons; so be patient or book a tour a specific time.
• There are 243 stairs and is about 1.5 km,  sorry the Catacombs are not wheelchair friendly
• NO big bags or suitcases; there is NO storage space for you to leave it, best not to take a big bag at all
• Metro station closest to the entrance of the Catacombs of Paris- Check out Using the Paris Metro
• Metro and RER B: Denfert-Rochereau or Bus: 38, 68

Why not take a stroll around the tombstones!

Pere Lachaise Cemetery

The Pere Lachaise Cemetery is 44 hectares and requires a map to be able to navigate the 70,000 tombs. All of the burial sites or tombs are above ground; there are some amazing tombs of remembrance not only for those buried here; also for those people who are still unknown such as the victims of the Nazi Concentration Camps.

Cemeteries in Europe are not viewed the same as we do (Australia). The afterlife is celebrated by having elaborate sculptures and tombs for your loved one to carry through to the afterlife. The Pere Lachaise Cemetery; is a popular place for people to take a step back; from the hustle and bustle of the city and truly take in history. On a lighter note, the cemetery is a popular place for lovers to take an afternoon stroll; some of the tombs sculptures are even in erotic positions….anyway, some of the famous people laid to rest here; are Oscar Wilde, Chopin, Edith Piaf, Colette, Jim Morrison and hundreds more.

Oscar Wilde

Oscar Wilde the famous novelist, playwright, poet, and critic; exiled to France for the crime of homosexuality where he died in Paris. He has a beautiful tomb of an angle with its wings outstretched protecting him for eternity. Sometime in the 90s, it became a bit of wacky craze; women visiting his grave to put on brightly coloured lipstick and give the grave a kiss. The excess cleaning of the grave caused it to erode at a much fast pace; in 2011 they had to put up a glass barrier around it to prevent this. People continued to leave kisses on the barrier, but glass is much easier to clean.

Jim Morrison

The most visited grave in the cemetery; is the grave of Jim Morrison from The Doors. The American rock legend died while living in Paris, the cause of death is still uncertain. However unofficially it’s been told it was an accidental overdose or heart failure. Fans from all over the world go to pay tribute to the Rock Star; some leave flowers, some leave alcohol bottles, some leave cigarettes some graffiti the tomb. This went on for quite some time until it got out of hand; they had to put a barrier up around the tomb to stop people from defacing his tomb and nearby tombs. These days the tributes are a little bit tamer; people tie ribbons or hair bands on the fence for the Rock Legend.

Other Interesting Tombs

There is a tomb which was quite fascinating; it was of a man who was breaking out of his tomb. It represents that nothing would stop him not even death his name is Georges Rodenbach.

The Tomb of Chopin; was the most incredible solo piano player and has a beautiful statue on the top. Which is said to be the muse of music; she weeps for Chopin, his grave is always covered in beautiful flowers.

There’s also a grave here of a man lying down; holding his head in his arms sculpted to look like his wife; he wanted to see her face for eternity.

You can buy a plot for 10,20,30 or 50 years!

Pere Lachaise cemetery is still active and receiving new graves however there is quite a waiting list! So how do you get yourself a plot? A couple of rules you have to have either live in or have lived in Paris; or have a family member who is already buried in a Parisian cemetery. You can elect to buy a plot for 10, 20, 30, or 50 years; or if you would like you can upgrade and buy it for “Life”. Most plots in the cemetery are brought big enough for the whole family to be together even in the afterlife. So what happens if your lease runs out? If you don’t renew the plot lease it can be sold to someone else with the body being moved out.

The plots are maintained by the family who is responsible for cleaning and repairing any damage to the plot. If no one from your family wants to; or can be found to take responsibility for the plot it is given back to the city and can be resold.

Just keep an open mind

Europe really puts it in perspective that cemeteries did not have to be “scary or spooky”. They are the pride of the person that has left this world; a sign of remembrance to them and their life something to be celebrated. So even if you are a bit sceptical of visiting a cemetery “for fun”. Just keep in mind it really is an eye-opener and is worth a look.

Visiting the Pere Lachaise Cemetery

• It is free to visit
• Opening hours are Every day, 8am – 5:30pm -6:0pm depending on the season.
• Pick up a free map from the Admin building
• No pets, unruly behaviour, picnics, or alcohol. DO NOT walk on the grass or near the flower beds. It is a resting place you must be respectful.
• The closest Metro to the main entrance; is Auguste Station on line 2 or you can get off at Pere Lachaise which is line 2 and 3
• The back entrance; is closest to the Metro Station Gambetta this entrance is at the top of the sloping cemetery; you can walk down the hill towards the main gate, not up. However, you won’t be able to get your map as that is from the Admin building at the front entrance.