Cataphile
Encyclopedia
Cataphiles are urban explorers
who illegally tour the Paris "catacombs"
, the term popularly used to describe a series of underground tunnels that were formerly a network of stone mines.
s, although rare, do occasionally occur. A good guide is indispensable, and many guides occasionally refer to a map. Because of these dangers, accessing the catacombs without official escort has been illegal since 2 November 1955. There is a €
60 fine for persons caught by the cataflics — the special police who patrol the catacombs.
Secret entrances exist throughout Paris, and it is sometimes possible to enter the catacombs via the sewers, metro, and certain manholes.
Some unofficial visitors hold keys to certain official entrances. On rare occasions people use these access points and illegally enter the catacombs — for example, to meet clandestinely, to hold unusual parties, or simply as urban explorers
.
In September 2004, an underground movie theater run by the Mexican Perforation
— a French artistic movement that seeks to convey their ideas using underground places — was discovered by the French police.
Cataphiles often descend for a day, a night, or perhaps a week to explore, photograph, paint murals, create maps, clean up rooms and dig chatières (ventilation channels).
Urban exploration
Urban exploration is the examination of the normally unseen or off-limits parts of urban areas or industrial facilities. Urban exploration is also commonly referred to as infiltration, although some people consider infiltration to be more closely associated with the exploration of active or...
who illegally tour the Paris "catacombs"
Mines of Paris
The Mines of Paris comprise a number of abandoned, subterranean mines under Paris, France, connected together by galleries...
, the term popularly used to describe a series of underground tunnels that were formerly a network of stone mines.
Unauthorized visits
Entrance to the catacombs is restricted. The portion of the catacombs open to the public is only a small part of an extensive network of underground tunnels, which spans around 280km (174 miles) in length. The tunnel system is complex, and though some tunnels have plaques indicating the name of the street above, it is easy to get lost. Some passages are low or narrow, and others are partially flooded. There are aging telephone wires, pipes, and such that can hinder progress, and cave-inCave-in
A cave-in is a collapse of a geologic formation, mine or structure which typically occurs during mining or tunneling. Geologic structures prone to cave-ins include alvar, tsingy and other limestone formations, but can also include lava tubes and a variety of other subsurface rock formations.In...
s, although rare, do occasionally occur. A good guide is indispensable, and many guides occasionally refer to a map. Because of these dangers, accessing the catacombs without official escort has been illegal since 2 November 1955. There is a €
Euro
The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
60 fine for persons caught by the cataflics — the special police who patrol the catacombs.
Secret entrances exist throughout Paris, and it is sometimes possible to enter the catacombs via the sewers, metro, and certain manholes.
Some unofficial visitors hold keys to certain official entrances. On rare occasions people use these access points and illegally enter the catacombs — for example, to meet clandestinely, to hold unusual parties, or simply as urban explorers
Urban exploration
Urban exploration is the examination of the normally unseen or off-limits parts of urban areas or industrial facilities. Urban exploration is also commonly referred to as infiltration, although some people consider infiltration to be more closely associated with the exploration of active or...
.
In September 2004, an underground movie theater run by the Mexican Perforation
Mexican Perforation
La Mexicaine De Perforation is a subdivision of a French group called the UX . They provide clandestine artistic events....
— a French artistic movement that seeks to convey their ideas using underground places — was discovered by the French police.
Cataphiles often descend for a day, a night, or perhaps a week to explore, photograph, paint murals, create maps, clean up rooms and dig chatières (ventilation channels).