Haunted Paris: 5 spooky Halloween facts about the “City of Lights”

Halloween is almost here, and while the holiday is something of a newfound novelty to the French, that doesn’t mean that you can’t celebrate the onset of autumn and the “spooky season” by learning about – or even visiting – some of the key sites of haunted Paris! 

The ancient city of Paris has a long and storied history, much of it dark and macabre, and makes the perfect setting for a spooky adventure this October. 

Are you a newcomer to the history of haunted Paris, and eager to learn more? 

Keep reading for five eerie facts about haunted Paris, and insider tips on how to celebrate Halloween in the city this year…

---

1. The bones of millions are buried across Paris

Paris is the graveyard for millions of people from throughout history. Most notably, the Paris Catacombs is said to be home to the bones of over six million dead, dating back to ancient times. You must do a private tour of the Catacombs to truly learn about this spooky series of ossuaries that lie under the city! Being a small and built-up city, Paris was renowned for having mass graveyards right in the heart of the city until the 18th century, when many remains were moved to city cemeteries like Père Lachaise, which is a highly recommended location to visit in the city. Paris also had a notorious morgue until the early 20th century, which was located on the Île de la Cité behind Notre Dame. Here, city officials would display unidentified bodies to the public, where at one point, tens of thousands would visit per day as a macabre tourist attraction. Thankfully, this public morgue was closed down over 100 years ago. 

---

2. Paris has a vampire museum!  

It’s true! Le Musée des Vampires is a hidden little haunted gem at 14 rue Jules David, Les Lilas, and is full of spooky items from the private collection of Parisian vampire enthusiast, Jacques Sirgent. This is a private museum, so enquiring ahead for tours is essential – but well worth it! Jacques will show you his collection and explain the eerie history behind the many relics and collectibles he has accrued over the years, including a historic vampire killing kit. To reach the Paris Vampire Museum, take the Metro to the nearest station, Porte des Lilas. 

---

3. The Paris Opera House’s Phantom awaits…

The lore of the Phantom of the Opera, and its subsequent musical, all comes back to Paris and the city’s stunning Palais Garnier! French writer Gaston Leroux wrote the novel in 1910, which spawned a centuries-long myth that still endures today! While Leroux simply used local legends to create an eerie story of a phantom that lives in a series of tunnels underneath the city’s opera house, most of it is sadly not true. At least – as far as we know. However there is actually an artificial lake under the Opera Garnier! 

The best way to learn about the spooky history of the Paris Opera House is on a guided tour, and after hours tours are also available. The perfect way to celebrate Halloween in haunted Paris this year! 

---

4. The Haunted Mansion on Avenue Frochot has a spooky history 

Paris is renowned for being home to many so-called haunted houses, but one that really captures the imagination of locals is the 18th century Haunted Mansion on Avenue Frochot in Montmartre. Located near the city’s iconic Moulin Rouge, the private mansion was once home to some of Paris’ most famous artists and creatives, including Alexandre Dumas and Victor Hugo. It lies on a tiny street that is inaccessible to the public. What makes the mansion curious and potentially haunted is that many of the inhabitants of the mansion have met misfortunate ends, many of them within its four walls by illness and even murder.  Take a wander past the haunted mansion this Halloween and see if you experience anything ghostly…

---

5. Paris’ bloody history of the guillotine 

The guillotine is a symbol of Paris’ bloody history, utilised most notoriously during the French Revolution, when over 15000 French met their end at the blade of this gruesome killing machine, including the French royal family. There are still a variety of locations across Paris that showcase original guillotines, including at the Museum of the Prefecture of Paris. To visit the site of some of Paris’ most famous beheadings, the iconic Place de la Concorde is where over 1000 people lost their lives, most notably Marie Antoinette and Robespierre. The Place de la Bastille is another notable guillotine location. And while the Prison de la Roquette no longer exists, you can still see the indents and support stones of where a guillotine stood here in the 19th century. You can visit the site at Rue de la Roquette and Rue de la Croix Faubin. 

---

Did you learn a new fact about haunted Paris?

Interact with the Paris Teachers Club on social media! We are on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Browse our other blogs for many more informative Paris guides!

Subscribe to us for FREE to receive notifications for upcoming events, news and more!

---