Catacomb Exploration is Part of Initiation at the University L’Ecole des Mines in Paris

Painting by the class of 2007 and 2008 at L’Ecole des Mines in Paris in the catacombs. Source.

L’Ecole des Mines de Paris, a university sometimes referred to as the MIT of France, has access to the Paris catacombs into which first years are dropped in during initiation and have to find their way out. Each class (known as promos or promotion) must also create a piece of art inside a gallery in the catacombs.

According to our source, a graduate of Les Mines, one entrance to the catacombs used to open up right into the university halls, but cataphiles (urban explorers) were popping up unannounced on the property. Not surprisingly, that entrance is now closed off, but the university still has the key to another entrance. Our source also told us that despite the instructions given to freshman regarding exiting the tunnels, one class during his time in school got lost (but thankfully found their way out).

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