Episode 193 - The History of The Paris Catacombs

Lunatics Radio Hour: The History of Horror

Watch our footage from the Paris Catacombs HERE.

Beneath the streets of Paris lies one of the most disturbing landmarks in the world: the Paris Catacombs. In this episode, we explore the real history behind the underground tunnels that hold the remains of more than six million people. From collapsing cemeteries and overflowing mass graves to the creation of the vast ossuary beneath the city, the Catacombs tell a story of disease, death, engineering, and urban legend.

We cover how the tunnels were first created as limestone quarries, why human bones were transferred underground in the late 1700s, and how the Catacombs became tied to ghost stories, secret gatherings, wartime history, and modern urban explorers known as cataphiles. We also discuss the darker side of the Catacombs, including reports of people getting lost beneath Paris and the strange discoveries made deep underground.

If you’re interested in dark history, horror history, haunted places, cemeteries, underground cities, French history, or paranormal legends, this episode dives into one of the most infamous locations in the world.

Sources

Get Lunatics Merch here. Join the discussion on Discord. Check out Abby's book Horror Stories. Available in eBook and paperback. Music by Michaela Papa, Alan Kudan & Jordan Moser. Poster Art by Pilar Keprta @pilar.kep.

Support the show

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

More description

Watch our footage from the Paris Catacombs HERE.

Beneath the streets of Paris lies one of the most disturbing landmarks in the world: the Paris Catacombs. In this episode, we explore the real history behind the underground tunnels that hold the remains of more than six million people. From collapsing cemeteries and overflowing mass graves to the creation of the vast ossuary beneath the city, the Catacombs tell a story of disease, death, engineering, and urban legend.

We cover how the tunnels were first created as limestone quarries, why human bones were transferred underground in the late 1700s, and how the Catacombs became tied to ghost stories, secret gatherings, wartime history, and modern urban explorers known as cataphiles. We also discuss the darker side of the Catacombs, including reports of people getting lost beneath Paris and the strange discoveries made deep underground.

If you’re interested in dark history, horror history, haunted places, cemeteries, underground cities, French history, or paranormal legends, this episode dives into one of the most infamous locations in the world.

Sources

Get Lunatics Merch here. Join the discussion on Discord. Check out Abby's book Horror Stories. Available in eBook and paperback. Music by Michaela Papa, Alan Kudan & Jordan Moser. Poster Art by Pilar Keprta @pilar.kep.

Support the show

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2026-06-02 32 min Transcript 8 chapters
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