The capital of France, known also as the City of Lights, serves as home to one of the most famous underground complexes in the world — the Paris Catacombs.
© AFP 2023 / Boyan TopaloffThe catacombs are a part of a much larger ancient network of tunnels known as the Mines of Paris.
The catacombs are a part of a much larger ancient network of tunnels known as the Mines of Paris.
© AP Photo / Francois MoriIn this photo taken Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2014, skulls and bones are stacked at the Catacombs in Paris, France
2/13
© AP Photo / Francois Mori
In this photo taken Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2014, skulls and bones are stacked at the Catacombs in Paris, France
© Flickr / Julian FongThe origins of this underground network can be traced to the limestone quarries dating back to the times of the Roman Empire.
The origins of this underground network can be traced to the limestone quarries dating back to the times of the Roman Empire.
© AP Photo / Michel EulerA man's shadow is seen against one of the walls of the Paris Catacombs.
4/13
© AP Photo / Michel Euler
A man's shadow is seen against one of the walls of the Paris Catacombs.
© AP Photo / Francois MoriThe catacombs serve as a resting place for the remains of hundreds of thousands of the city's inhabitants.
5/13
© AP Photo / Francois Mori
The catacombs serve as a resting place for the remains of hundreds of thousands of the city's inhabitants.
© AFP 2023 / OLIVIER LABAN-MATTEIPeople visit the section of Paris Catacombs that is open to the public.
People visit the section of Paris Catacombs that is open to the public.
© Flickr / Tobias F. WolfIn the late 18th century the Parisian city authorities began using the catacombs to rebury the remains of the people previously interred at the overpopulated cemetaries within the city limits.
In the late 18th century the Parisian city authorities began using the catacombs to rebury the remains of the people previously interred at the overpopulated cemetaries within the city limits.
© AFP 2023 / PATRICK KOVARIKMembers of French special police squad "Brigade d'intervention de la compagnie sportive" walk in the Dragon room of the catacombs of Paris. August 20, 2009.
Members of French special police squad "Brigade d'intervention de la compagnie sportive" walk in the Dragon room of the catacombs of Paris. August 20, 2009.
© Flickr / Jules.BranOnly a small fraction of the catacombs network is open to the public, though it doesn't stop thrill-seekers and amateur spelunkers from exploring the subterranean complex illegally.
Only a small fraction of the catacombs network is open to the public, though it doesn't stop thrill-seekers and amateur spelunkers from exploring the subterranean complex illegally.
© Flickr / dapogApproximately 300 Cataphiles - urban explorers who illegally tour the Mines of Paris - enter the network each week via hidden entrances, according to some estimates.
Approximately 300 Cataphiles - urban explorers who illegally tour the Mines of Paris - enter the network each week via hidden entrances, according to some estimates.
© AP Photo / Francois MoriSkulls and bones are stacked at the Catacombs in Paris, France. October 14, 2014.
12/13
© AP Photo / Francois Mori
Skulls and bones are stacked at the Catacombs in Paris, France. October 14, 2014.