Paris, April 1st – The iconic Catacombs of Paris, a unique underground ossuary holding the remains of millions of Parisians, are set to reopen on April 8th following five months of essential renovation work. The extensive project, which began in November 2025, focused on improving technical installations and re-imagining the scenography to offer a fresh perspective on this historic site.
Essential Renovations Address Humidity and Preserve History
The renovations were deemed “indispensable” by Isabelle Knafou, administrator of the Paris Catacombs. Speaking to AFP during a site visit on March 24th, Knafou highlighted the critical need to upgrade technical facilities, including ventilation, lighting, and electricity. These improvements are crucial for protecting the human remains in an environment where humidity levels can reach close to 90%. Evidence of this challenge is visible in the regular water droplets falling from the stone ceiling.
Art restorers and masons have been meticulously working to preserve the integrity of the site. Florent Bastaroli, a mason specializing in old buildings, was observed disassembling and reassembling a wall of bones, with a new stone line added to the floor to combat humidity. The team has also recreated skull crosses, respecting the original spirit of the location. The project, largely led by women, including architect Camille Guérémy of Artemis Architectes, faced the significant challenge of transporting and evacuating debris 20 meters underground, with most materials being retained on-site.
A Redesigned Experience to Attract New Audiences
The re-imagined scenography aims to “immerse the visitor in a somewhat strange sensory state that one experiences here within the bowels of Paris,” explained Isabelle Knafou. At the ossuary’s entrance, the floor has been redone, and subtle spotlights will illuminate the base of the bone walls. New lighting throughout the Catacombs will evoke the candlelit visits that were common until 1974.
The museum-cemetery, which previously welcomed 600,000 visitors annually (three-quarters of whom were foreign, particularly American), has specifically redesigned its presentation to attract more Parisian residents. “I really want Parisians to reclaim this history,” Knafou stated, emphasizing the desire for locals to connect with this profound aspect of their city’s past.
Two-Part Journey: Quarries and Ossuary
The visitor journey is now divided into two distinct parts: the discovery of the ancient quarries from which the limestone used to build Paris was extracted, and the visit to the municipal ossuary itself. The ossuary contains the bones and skulls of millions of Parisians who died between the 10th and 18th centuries, transferred there starting in the 1780s. The site has been open to the public since 1809.
Knafou highlighted the presence of “all layers of the population, the poor as well as the rich, the anonymous as well as certain personalities who made our history,” citing figures from the French Revolution and even Molière. She emphasized that the Catacombs are a place where one becomes aware of “the equality of men in the face of death,” hence the decision not to protect the bones with barriers, preserving an “intimacy” with the deceased.
Visitors are reminded by a sign: “Stop! This is the Empire of Death,” and are asked “not to touch anything and not to smoke in the ossuary.” This recommendation also extends to the graffiti-covered galleries, which Knafou noted are an integral part of the site’s “identity.”
Practical Information and Future Outlook
The Catacombs will resume welcoming visitors daily from April 8th. The renovations are expected to enhance the experience for all, from first-time tourists to returning Parisians. This reopening marks a significant moment for one of Paris’s most unique and historically rich cultural sites, ensuring its preservation and accessibility for future generations.
The project, which involved significant logistical challenges due to its underground nature, is a testament to the dedication of the teams involved in maintaining and presenting this extraordinary Parisian heritage. The Catacombs continue to serve as a powerful reminder of the city’s past, offering a contemplative journey into its depths.
Source: https://www.france24.com/fr/culture/20260401-aux-catacombes-de-paris-une-nouvelle-balade-entre-les-morts-%C3%A0-partir-du-8-avril
