Beneath the streets of Paris lies a world that's equal parts history, engineering, and nightmare fuel. In this episode of Folklore & Bullshit, Keegan and Amber descend into the Paris Catacombs to uncover why millions of human remains were moved beneath the city, how ancient limestone quarries became one of the world's most infamous ossuaries, and the eerie legends that refuse to die.
From the haunting story of Philibert Aspairt, the man who entered the tunnels and was never seen alive again, to tales of hidden chambers, underground explorers known as cataphiles, mysterious discoveries, and the strange story of an abandoned underground cinema, we separate documented history from urban legend and ask one question:
How much of what you've heard about the Paris Catacombs is actually true?
Grab a flashlight... and try not to get lost.
Sources
Paris Catacombs Official Website Les Catacombes de Paris. (n.d.). Official visitor information and history. Retrieved August 5, 2026, from https://www.catacombes.paris.fr/
Definition of an Ossuary Encyclopaedia Britannica. (n.d.). Ossuary. Retrieved August 5, 2026, from https://www.britannica.com/topic/ossuary
History of the Paris Catacombs Encyclopaedia Britannica. (n.d.). Catacombs of Paris. Retrieved August 5, 2026, from https://www.britannica.com/place/Catacombs-of-Paris
The Story of Philibert Aspairt Atlas Obscura. (n.d.). The Memorial of Philibert Aspairt. Retrieved August 5, 2026, from https://www.atlasobscura.com/
The Paris Catacombs and Their History Smithsonian Magazine. (n.d.). Articles relating to the history of the Paris Catacombs and the city's underground quarries.
Underground Cinema Discovery Atlas Obscura. (n.d.). Articles discussing the hidden underground cinema discovered in the Paris Catacombs.
The Man in the Tunnel Various news reports and documentaries discussing the unidentified "Man in the Tunnel" footage filmed inside the Paris Catacombs.
Additional Reading
Héricart de Thury, L. É. F. (1815). Description des Catacombes de Paris.
Official historical information from the City of Paris and the Paris Museums network.
