10 Most Haunted Places in Paris – Moon Mausoleum

A list of the ten most haunted places in Paris, from haunted houses on cobbled streets, catacombs, and marbled and golden palaces.

Haunted places in Paris are said to be, well, very French. The ghost stories we find in this city are tales of jilted lovers in romantic date sites, fleeting shadows under the canopy trees in picturesque parks to royal ghosts inside of the historic buildings close to the whole world have heard of.

But just like the pitch dark of the underground necropolis of the catacombs under the rose colored city above, the ghost stories found in this city are just as dark. This is by no way a complete list of what tales you can find in Paris, and for a more extensive list, head over to the archives of France. But for now, let’s have a look at some of the most haunted places in Paris.

No. 1 on Avenue Frochot | Quartier Saint-Georges | Paris — The cursed haunted house behind the iron fences

Avenue Frochot in Paris harbors the infamous Haunted House, shrouded in mystery and dark secrets that have intrigued locals and visitors alike for centuries. This historic avenue, once home to Paris’ elite, including renowned figures like Alexandre Dumas and Victor Hugo, hides a chilling tale within its iron-fenced properties.

At the heart of this enigma is the Haunted House, where a chambermaid met a tragic end at the hands of an unknown assailant in the early 1900s. Despite her killer evading capture, her spirit is said to linger within the mansion’s walls, perpetually haunting the premises.

Eerie tales abound of ghostly footsteps echoing through the empty corridors and shadowy figures glimpsed through the windows, even in the dead of night. The house, steeped in a sinister aura, carries a curse that has plagued its occupants over the years. Theater critic Mathieu Galey met his demise within its confines, mirroring the fate of composer Victor Massé a century prior. Even renowned singer Sylvie Vartan, who acquired the property in the 1970s, hastily departed mere days after moving in, purportedly due to the spectral presence haunting the house.

Read the whole story: The Mystery of the Haunted House on Avenue Frochot

Jardin Tuileries | L’Homme Rouge | Paris — The red man haunting the garden as an omen

The Tuileries Palace, once a grand royal residence adjacent to the Louvre Palace in Paris, holds within its storied history a chilling tale of revenge from beyond the grave and is perhaps one of the most haunted places in Paris. Constructed in the 16th century by Queen Catherine de Medici, this opulent palace was tragically destroyed by fire in 1871 during the tumultuous period of the Paris Commune. However, amidst the ruins lies a lingering specter, known as The Red Man, whose vengeful spirit haunts the nearby Tuileries Gardens to this day.

Legend has it that The Red Man is the restless soul of Jean l’Ecorcheur, a loyal servant turned assassin in service to Queen Catherine. Jean, also known as Jean the Skinner, earned his grisly nickname through his dual roles as a butcher and a clandestine operative for the queen. However, his intimate knowledge of the royal family’s secrets proved to be his undoing. Fearful that he would betray her, Queen Catherine ordered his demise, resulting in a brutal murder within the confines of the Tuileries Gardens.

In death, Jean’s spirit is said to have risen from the grave, cursing all those who dwelled within the palace walls. The Red Man became a harbinger of doom, appearing before significant events that befell the French royals. From the assassination of King Henry IV to the execution of Louis XVI during the French Revolution, sightings of The Red Man preceded these tragic events like a sinister omen.

Read the whole story: The Red Man haunting the Jardin Tuileries in Paris

Notre Dame Cathedral | Île de la Cité — The haunted cathedral made by the help of the devil

The Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris stands as an iconic symbol of Gothic architecture and spiritual significance, drawing visitors from around the globe to marvel at its breathtaking beauty and delve into its rich history. However, alongside its awe-inspiring features, the cathedral is also steeped in tales of mystery and the supernatural.

Dating back to its construction in 1163, Notre Dame has amassed a wealth of stories, some of which hint at ghostly encounters within its hallowed halls. Among these legends is the chilling tale of an ironworker named Biscornet, who purportedly struck a deal with the devil to complete the cathedral’s metalwork in time for its inauguration. Despite his successful craftsmanship, the doors he fashioned remained mysteriously sealed shut until holy water was applied, revealing a note hinting at his demonic pact.

But tales of spectral encounters don’t end there. Legends speak of two ghostly women haunting the cathedral’s roof, their ethereal figures glimpsed among the stone gargoyles and gothic sculptures. Witnesses claim to have seen these apparitions walking the roof before inexplicably vanishing into thin air or plunging to their demise.

Read the whole story: The Haunted Halls of Paris’ Notre Dame Cathedral 

Père Lachaise Cemetery | Boulevard de Ménilmontant — The haunted cemetery of bloody revolutions and celebrities

The Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris, France, renowned for its historic significance and famous inhabitants like Jim Morrison and Marcel Proust, has long been shrouded in mystery and ghostly tales and thought to be one of the most haunted places in Paris as well. Established in 1804 by Emperor Napoleon, this sprawling necropolis covers over 110 acres and attracts visitors from around the globe.

Despite its solemn purpose, the cemetery has witnessed its share of turmoil, including the execution of Communards during the Bloody Week of 1871. Reports of ghostly encounters abound, with visitors and cemetery workers alike recounting eerie experiences among the graves and mausoleums. Additionally, tales of restless spirits, like those of fallen soldiers from past battles, contribute to its haunted reputation.

The cemetery’s most peculiar legend revolves around Baroness Elisabeth Stroganova, whose mausoleum is rumored to hold dark secrets. According to lore, Stroganova offered a substantial inheritance to anyone who could endure spending a full year inside her tomb. Despite several attempts, no one has successfully completed the challenge, leading to speculation about the baroness’s motives and the eerie atmosphere surrounding her grave.

Read the whole story: Paris’ Haunted Père Lachaise Cemetery

Parc Montsouris | Arrondissement de l’Observatoire — The headless ghost in the park

Parc Montsouris, nestled in the 14th arrondissement of Paris, stands as a lush oasis steeped in both beauty and mystery. Its verdant landscapes and serene lake belie a history fraught with tales of the supernatural, where strange occurrences and hauntings have left an indelible mark on its tranquil ambiance.

One chilling legend recounts an incident during the park’s official opening, where a tragic mistake led to the accidental draining of the artificial lake, purportedly driving the park engineer to take his own life. Although historical records confirm the lake’s sudden drainage in 1878, there is scant evidence of the alleged suicide.

Parc Montsouris also bears witness to darker chapters in history, notably serving as a testing ground for the guillotine during the French Revolution. Echoes of this gruesome past linger, with some visitors reporting eerie sensations reminiscent of the blade’s swift descent.

Among the park’s most infamous legends is the tale of Isaure de Montsouris, whose grisly murder by bandits allegedly left his restless spirit to roam the grounds.

Read the whole story: The Headless Hauntings of Parc Montsouris

Eiffel Tower | le septième — The haunted and deadly romance at the top of the most romantic place on earth

The Eiffel Tower, affectionately known as La dame de fer (the Iron Lady), stands as an iconic symbol of romance and modernity in Paris. Constructed for the 1889 World’s Fair, this architectural marvel has since become a magnet for urban legends, mysterious events, and ghostly sightings.

Despite initial criticism for its design, the tower captivated audiences with its grandeur and size, remaining the world’s tallest structure for over four decades. Today, it continues to draw millions of visitors, contributing to Paris’ reputation as a city of romance and intrigue.

Amidst marriage proposals and picturesque views, the Eiffel Tower harbors darker tales, including stories of jilted lovers and tragic endings. One legend tells of a heartbroken couple meeting at the tower in the 1920s, where a rejected proposal led to a fatal fall. Some claim to have encountered the spirit of the jilted lover or his scorned partner, perpetuating the tower’s haunted reputation and of being one of the most haunted places in Paris.

Read the whole story: Exploring the Ghost Stories on top of Paris’ Eiffel Tower

Château de Versailles | Yvelines — The time travelling ghost in the royal palace

Constructed under the reign of King Louis XIV, Château de Versailles began as a modest hunting lodge in 1623 before blossoming into the lavish palace known today. With its dark history and tales of ghostly apparitions, the palace has become a focal point for paranormal enthusiasts and curious visitors alike.

Among the spectral residents said to roam the palace is the ghost of Louis XIV himself, the Sun King whose undying affection for Versailles lingers beyond the grave. Witnesses claim to have glimpsed his regal figure traversing his favored chambers and garden pathways, accompanied by the phantom echoes of midnight horse gallops, evoking his funeral procession.

Marie Antoinette, the ill-fated queen of France, is another prominent specter said to wander the palace grounds, her ghostly visage often sighted near the Grand Trianon or within the palace walls. Some recount hearing her mournful sobs echoing through empty corridors, while others claim to have seen her clad in her iconic white gown, clutching a white rose as she roams the estate.

Even in the quiet of the night, whispers of unseen spirits pervade the dimly lit hallways and gardens of Château de Versailles. Visitors have reported eerie noises and chilling sensations, with some claiming to have glimpsed shadowy figures lurking in the shadows, adding to the palace’s mystique and allure as a haunted destination.

Read the whole story: The Time Travelling Ghost Haunting Château de Versailles

The Catacombs | Place Denfert-Rochereau | Paris — The mysterious underground necropolis

Beneath the bustling streets of Paris lies a realm shrouded in darkness and mystery: the Catacombs. Originally an ancient quarry, this network of tunnels now houses the bones of millions of Parisians, relocated from overcrowded cemeteries in the late 1700s.

One infamous story revolves around Philibert Aspairt, a hospital worker who vanished in the catacombs during the French Revolution. Despite efforts to find him, his fate remained unknown until his body was discovered years later. Legend has it that his ghost still roams the labyrinthine corridors, a haunting reminder of the catacombs’ dark past.

But the mysteries of the catacombs extend beyond mere ghost stories. Legends speak of hidden chambers and strange creatures lurking in the shadows, making it perhaps one of the most haunted places in Paris.

Read the whole story: Scary Tales of The Catacombs of Paris

Opéra Garnier| Le Fantôme de l’Opéra | Opéra — The home and haunting of the Phantom of the Opera

Opéra Garnier Paris, a pinnacle of French culture and architectural marvel, is steeped in a history rich with mysterious tales and eerie legends, with perhaps none more infamous than the story of the Phantom of the Opera.

Built during the Second Empire of France under the visionary architect Charles Garnier, Opéra Garnier’s labyrinthine design and grandeur have long captivated visitors. Yet, beneath its ornate façade lies a realm of secrets, from hidden passages to unexplored depths, where whispers of the supernatural echo through its hallowed halls.

Central to the opera house’s mystique is the legend of the Phantom, an enigmatic figure said to haunt its auditorium, grand staircase, and darkened corridors.

Some attribute the Phantom’s existence to the tragic tale of Ernest, a piano prodigy scarred by a fire at the Le Peletier Opera House in 1873. Seeking refuge within Opéra Garnier’s labyrinthine confines, Ernest is said to have dwelled in the underground lake beneath the building, consumed by grief and rage.

The opera’s eerie reputation is further enhanced by a series of inexplicable deaths and accidents, including the infamous incident of a falling crystal chandelier during a performance of Faust. Linked to seat number 13, this tragedy, immortalized in Gaston Leroux’s novel, adds to the aura of mystery surrounding Opéra Garnier.

Read the whole story: The Legend of the Phantom of Opéra Garnier

Rue Des Chantres | Paris — The lost children haunting the streets of Paris

Rue des Chantres, near the Seine in Paris, is shrouded in eerie tales of forgotten tragedies and spectral encounters. This small street, close to Notre Dame, holds whispered accounts of agony, death, and haunted houses, painting a sinister picture of its history and is maybe one of the most haunted places in Paris?.

Île de la Cité, one of Paris’s oldest areas, is steeped in legends of paranormal phenomena. Once home to a convent, castle, and numerous haunted houses, this district is rumored to be inhabited by ghosts of the past. Famed figures like Heloise, from the tragic tale of Heloise and Abelard, once resided in this enigmatic locale.

The chilling legend of the Lost Children on Rue des Chantres stems from a devastating event in 1910. During a severe flood, children from a hospital, housed in the Hotel-Dieu, were trapped and drowned in their rooms. Despite efforts to conceal their bodies, many believe these souls still haunt the street, forever denied peace in death.

Since the tragic flood, witnesses have reported hearing children’s screams and laughter echoing from Rue des Chantres. Strange lights and shadowy figures have also been sighted, attributed to the Lost Children who roam the street, leaving an indelible mark on those who dare to venture into their realm.

Read the whole story: The Story of the Lost Children on Rue Des Chantres

Most Haunted Places in Paris

As mentioned, this list is only a small list of the most haunted places in Paris, but far from everyone. Head over to the France archives for more ghost stories from there.

More like this