Carrières des Capucins, Medieval limestone quarry in 5th and 13th arrondissements of Paris, France
Carrières des Capucins is a medieval limestone quarry system beneath Paris streets spanning roughly 1.2 kilometers. The network reaches depths of up to 18 meters in places, particularly beneath Boulevard Port-Royal and Cochin Hospital.
From the 12th to 17th centuries, this quarry supplied limestone for Paris buildings. King Louis XVI established the Inspection Générale des Carrières in 1776 to oversee underground mining operations.
The galleries contain stone inscriptions and street signs from the 18th and 19th centuries that mirror the layout of Paris streets above. Visitors can observe how quarry workers recreated the city above in their underground work.
Access requires advance registration for guided tours accommodating groups of around 15 people. The descent involves about 200 steps, and underground temperature stays around 13 degrees Celsius, so a jacket is recommended.
The Capuchins Fountain, built in 1810, became the first underground structure recognized as a Historical Monument in France when designated in 1990. This fountain system demonstrates the engineering skill of underground workers.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
