Discover Top Posts Tagged with #fear facts

Fear Facts: The Haunted Bones of the Paris Catacombs

There is much mystery and lore that surrounds the Catacombs of Paris. So much so that it has taken on a life of its own. Let’s begin with some factual information on how the catacombs of Paris began.

Beside Versailles, the sidewalk cafes, the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, etc. is Paris known for her beautiful buildings. Most are constructed of limestone blocks and their interior walls are covered in Plaster of Paris. From where were these materials obtained?

There were mines on the southside of today’s Paris where limestone and gypsum were mined in the 17th century. These mines contained many tunnels that twisted and turned aimlessly with no plan at all. There were also many levels with random openings and rickety ladders that led down the level below. The limestone that was brought out was chiseled into building blocks. The gypsum was the raw material used to create Plaster of Paris. Eventually the mines and quarries were abandoned as the city expanded northward.

The spring of 1780 in Paris was unusually wet, and a wall around Les Innocents Cemetery gave way and spilled decaying corpses and bones into the streets of the nearby neighborhood. The city of Paris had to do something with the foul and unwanted remains of these past Parisians. The solution was to move the bones of 6 to 7 million people buried in various cemeteries into the empty mines and quarries that lay beneath the city streets. This was no easy task and took 12 years to complete. The abandoned mines became the Catacombs of Paris. 1860 was the last year the catacombs accepted any bones or corpses. One artistic man named Louis-Etienne Hericart Thury made the decision to arrange the bones in symmetrical patterns as well as organize them by cemetery of origin.

The labyrinth that is the catacombs stretches 200 miles. Just over a mile has been restored and is open to the public. It is illegal to venture into the unopened tunnels and levels, but there are many who do just that. Their reasons for doing so are many: for a lark, for a thrill, to experience the macabre or because they are cataphiles who map the unexplored tunnels and levels. Caution though, if caught the offender is subject to a heavy fine. The inexperienced must be careful as there are criminals that go down into the catacombs to rob unsuspecting prey. The catacombs also offer an eerie location for those who like to party there or to engage in Goth roleplaying games. Any of these interlopers can be intimidating or even dangerous to individuals who cross their path.

People report hearing weird sounds and footsteps in the catacombs. You also see graffiti and sculpture on the walls. Sometimes the bones are arranged in circles that remind you of a well of death. Some people say they have been touched by something unseen or have the sense of being followed. Apparitions have been captured on video. Others have reported coming across the remains of a WWII German bunker. Some people have been so frightened by their experiences in the Paris Catacombs that they have sought mental help.

Though there is an inscription at the entrance of the public area that states “Arrete, c’est ici l’empire de la mort!” or “Stop, here is the empire of death!” it is possible that the restricted area of the catacomb is the true empire of death for there are stories of many that have gone in but have not returned.

In the early 1990’s a VHS camcorder was found lying on the ground by an experienced cataphile in one of the lesser explored tunnels. The cataphile searched around but did not find the person who owned the camera.

He then played the footage and found to his horror its owner might have just recorded his final moments on earth. On the footage the cataphile saw bones in the shape of an arrow pointing down a dark and narrow tunnel. There were also rooms filled with many feet of bones. He also saw a painting of a stick figure man with his arms and legs splayed apart. 40 minutes into the footage the videographer starts to walk faster and faster and then starts to run. His breathing also get harder and louder. The videographer seems frightened; he stops at times appearing to try to decide which passageway to take. He continues to run and finally drops the camcorder. The footage ends with the viewer watching the videographer’s feet running down into a tunnel. It then turns dark and eventually the camcorder shuts off when its battery life ends.

Since no one has ever come forward to claim the camcorder it is definitely a possibility and a fear that the owner got lost and died in the Paris catacombs. His bones may now be mingled with the ones that have lain in the Catacombs of Paris for over 150 years.

Note:Tthough sensational there is some question about the authenticity of the video. Au revoir. ~ Mary Jo VPI