Deep beneath the romantic streets of Paris lies another world—a maze of tunnels, darkness, and secrets. While tourists walk through the official section of the Catacombs, a hidden subculture lives and breathes in the off-limits areas. These explorers are known as cataphiles.
🕳️ What is a Cataphile?
Cataphiles are people who illegally explore the restricted parts of the Paris Catacombs. These underground enthusiasts venture far beyond the public path, navigating through miles of abandoned tunnels, forgotten chambers, and hidden artworks. For them, it’s not just an adventure—it’s a way of life.
⚠️ Is It Legal?
No. Most of the Catacombs are off-limits. Entering them without permission is illegal and can result in a fine of €60. The Catacombs Police—called the cataflics—patrol the tunnels and sometimes chase down cataphiles. But that doesn’t stop them.
📜 A Brief History of Cataphilia
The cataphile movement began in the 1980s. What started as secret parties and artistic gatherings evolved into a subculture with its own codes, maps, and legends. Some spend years mapping the tunnels by hand or restoring old graffiti and murals.
🎨 The Art Beneath Paris
Within the forbidden Catacombs, you’ll find surreal murals, sculptures made of bones, and even makeshift cinemas. In 2004, police discovered a fully equipped underground movie theater with a bar and electricity in the Trocadéro sector. The group behind it? Unknown.
📖 Real Stories from the Underground
- 🕯️ The Lost Explorer (2010): A camera was found deep in the Catacombs showing footage of a man who appeared lost, wandering in panic. The story inspired the horror film As Above, So Below.
- 🍽️ Secret Dinner Parties: Groups have been caught hosting lavish meals underground, lit by candles, complete with wine and music.
- 🎭 Catacomb Theater: In the early 2000s, artists hosted secret performances in large underground chambers—audiences entered through manholes and walked for hours.
🔦 How Do They Navigate?
Cataphiles use hand-drawn maps, memory, or GPS apps to navigate the endless labyrinth. Some spend years learning the tunnel system. Still, getting lost is a real and dangerous risk. Cell reception is nonexistent, and flooding can occur in certain sections.
👀 A Culture of Secrecy
Most cataphiles don’t share their real names. They respect the underground and often have rules: don’t break, don’t tag, don’t share entry points. It’s a code of honor passed from one explorer to another.
☠️ A Dangerous Passion
Exploring the forbidden Catacombs isn’t for the faint of heart. Risks include cave-ins, disorientation, injury, or getting trapped. And yet, for cataphiles, the thrill outweighs the danger. The Catacombs are their playground, sanctuary, and secret universe.
If the official Catacombs are the bones of Paris, the hidden tunnels are its soul—dark, mysterious, and quietly alive with stories still being written.