Beneath Paris: Unveiling the Romantic City's Hidden Past

In September 2023, I found myself in Paris for a conference, finally with the opportunity to explore the Catacombs—an attraction that had long intrigued me. Uncertain of what awaited me below, I pondered whether I would emerge from the depths stunned, scared, moved, or unchanged. On a hot afternoon following a series of scientific sessions, my friend and I, among the few willing to venture into this eerie underworld in the supposed "romantic city of the world", visited it.

As we descended four storeys below, the air grew colder, a stark contrast to the warmth of the streets above (we were there during a heat wave). This is my account of our visit, a journey into the depths beneath the bustling streets of Paris.

The Catacombs of Paris stand as an eerie testament to the city's complex history and the interplay between life and death. Beneath the bustling streets and charming boulevards lies a labyrinthine network of tunnels and chambers of approximately 250 kilometers (only a few are open to public), serving as the final resting place for millions of Parisians.

Originally quarries dating back to Roman times, these underground passages took on a new role in the late 18th century when Parisian cemeteries became overcrowded, unsanitary, and posed a public health risk. Seeking a solution to this problem, officials decided to relocate the remains of the deceased to the abandoned quarries, transforming them into ossuaries.

The process of transferring the bones was meticulous and reverent, with each skeleton carefully arranged to create walls of stacked skulls, femurs and tibias, forming haunting yet strangely beautiful displays. Beyond their function as a repository for human remains, the Catacombs have also served as a refuge, a site for clandestine gatherings, and even as a backdrop for revolutionary activities during periods of unrest in French history.

Translation - Remember your Creator in the days of your youth before the time of trouble comes

As one descends into the depths of the Catacombs, surrounded by the silent testimony of millions of lives once lived, it becomes abundantly clear that life is but a fleeting moment in the grand tapestry of time. The bones and skulls that line the walls serve as tangible reminders of our mortality, prompting contemplation on the brevity of our own life. Each skull, each femur, tells a story of a life once lived—a life filled with joy, sorrow, love, and loss.

Walking through the Catacombs, one cannot help but be struck by the realisation that we are all connected by the shared experience of mortality. Regardless of wealth, status, or power, we are all destined to return to the earth from which we came. This recognition fosters a sense of humility and acceptance, encouraging us to embrace the fleeting moments of life with gratitude and mindfulness.

Ultimately, a journey through the Catacombs offered me valuable lessons on the fragility of life, the enduring beauty of the human spirit, and the importance of living with purpose and intention. It served a reminder to cherish each moment, to seek meaning in the face of impermanence, and to leave behind a legacy that endures long after we are gone.