The dark legacy of the Paris Catacombs - Stephanie H. Smith

The dark legacy of the Paris Catacombs - Stephanie H. Smith

Published: July 27, 2026

Duration: 8:53

Take a tour of the vast, underground network of the Paris Catacombs, and find out how this 18th century cemetery came to be.

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For centuries, Parisians had buried their dead in the Cemetery of the Innocents. By the 18th century, the grounds had become overcrowded — spewing foul odors across the city. Residents worried that it posed a public health threat, and petitioned the government for a solution. But where could they move millions of remains? Stephanie H. Smith explores the vast, underground network of the Catacombs.

Lesson by Stephanie H. Smith, directed by...