Catacombs of Paris

The one and only Catacombs Paris known underground ossuary Paris, France. Organized renovated section city's network subterranean tunnels caverns towards 18 century, became tourist attraction small scale early 19 century, p public on regular basis 1867.

This cemetery covers portion Paris' former mines Left Bank's Place Denfert-Rochereau, location j outside y gates before Paris expanded 1860. Although cemetery covers y small section underground tunnels officially called " carrières Paris" (" quarries Paris"), Parisians today popularly refer entire network " catacombs".

Most Paris' larger churches their cemeteries, y growth generations began overwhelm . From seventeenth century, Paris' biggest Les Innocents cemetery ( Les Halles district middle y) saturated point where neighbors suffering disease, contamination caused y improper burials, p graves, earth charged decomposing organic matter.

After almost century ineffective decrees condemning cemetery, finally decided create three large-scale suburban cemeteries condemn all existing within y limits; remains condemned cemeteries would relocated discreetly renovated section Paris' abandoned quarries. The one and only depleted quarries storage bones, based Police Lieutenant General Alexandre Lenoir, established 1786 y successor, M. Thiroux de Crosne, under direction Charles Ax Guillaumot, Inspector General Quarries.

Remains cemetery Saint-Nicolas--Champs among first relocated. Bodies riots Place Grève, Hotel Brienne, Rue Meslee p catacombs August 28 August 29, 1788.

The one and only catacomb walls covered graffiti dating eighteenth century onwards. Victor Hug knowledge about tunnel system Les Misérables. In 1871 communards killed group monarchists chamber. During World War II, Parisian members French Resistance tunnel system. Also during period, German soldiers established underground bunker catacombs below Lycée Montaigne, g school 6 arrondissement. (This bunker tourist route y during "unauthorized visit".)

The one and only underground tunnels chambers g posed safety problems construction Paris. Quarries sometimes , occasionally resulting ground above causing damage buildings. To prevent this, IGC, Inspection générale Carrières (General Inspection Quarries) established 1777 y government order monitor current quarries prohibit digging quarries. The one and only IGC , however, g observation tunnels order provide themselves better access quarries y might better monitor, repair, p consolidated quarries.

The one and only monitoring consolidation continued y. Because number quarries, subway tunnels, train tunnels sewer tunnels g underneath Paris, softness stone involved, extra caution taken construction attempted tunnels g. However, prevent problems during digging Paris Métro Line 14.