327 Comments for Paris Catacombs

So do you think this was actually a well and filled with water at some point? What would be the purpose, as drinking water?

Now that looks like a pretty neat place to hang out.

Man, you sure put a lot of faith in a map! I think if I were to do this, I would tie a string around my waist and the other end at the entrance just so my mind would think there was a way back. You sure have a lot of courage!

People do get lost, and need to be rescued, although most have the common sense to acquire a decent map or mark their way out.

There are no lights down here; turning off your flashlight, you are plunged into absolute darkness. It's not like a dark room or a moonless night - it's a weird feeling in that you cannot see any hint of a perceptible shadow, not even your hand directly in front of your face. The thought of being lost without a light down here, like what happened to Philibert Aspairt, makes me shudder.

I would guess that the quarry worker found a nicely sized area of gypsum to mine, creating these "caverns" as opposed to narrow tunnels. Typically, they left un-excavated pillars of material to support the weight of the roof under such a large expanse, which the inspectors checked and bolstered where needed.

As the inspectors and their team worked down here, I'm sure these areas were used for breaks, eating, etc.

Thank you so much for sharing this Mr. M - I don´t know what to say, am so in awe and impressed, and concur absolutely with LPN.
And it is so much BIGGER than knew or understood - IMMENSE!
May yoy always be well is my daily wish!

I believe many of these quarry caverns were refined by the IGC (the inspectors) and their team of stone masons, architects, and excavators as inspection galleries - places that would be routinely checked upon to ensure foundations were not being compromised. Perhaps they spent days or weeks down here working, and built amenities such as these for a better work place (it is rare to find a spot to sit down in the tunnels to rest or grab a bite to eat - they're narrow, very wet and muddy). Seats, walls, and staircases were constructed with a flourish of skill; this was their trade after all.

As far as the cataphile works (the golem, lantern room, movie theater), why not? It creates a venerable amusement park, lawless and secretive, that one with access can not only visit but help construct.

People stay down here for days on end... it's a pretty great way to isolate yourself from technology, work, etc.

I think original graffiti can be really great. Effort, style, and context are a few the things I enjoy in any kind of art.

Yes I thought about DNA too, and I suppose you could still extract bone marrow, but you'd need to compare the DNA to another sample from the person to determine their identity. These bodies are from anonymous mass graves, so it does seem an unlikely prospect.

Yes absolutely pitch black, every photo had to be lit with artificial light, and yes I used a Mag-lite for a fair number of these (I had a number of flashlights).

It roughly means "Course of the Aqueduct;" perhaps the name of a street that once followed an ancient aqueduct from the Roman era.

Now this definitely would have set my claustrophobia off big time. Plus a panic attack or two!

What a place to meditate.

I asked the same on a prior photo - I love it when past people leave something behind for us to find such as a date or personal note.

I've never had such a mixed feeling of disgust and amazement.