page_title: Mines of Paris
section_title: Formation of the minerals mined in Paris
hierarchical_section_title: Mines of Paris / Formation of the minerals mined in Paris
caption_attribution_description: English: Simple geological view of a limestone quarry in Paris, France. Français&#160;: Schéma en coupe (simplifié) des carrières de calcaire parisiennes.
context_page_description: The mines of Paris comprise a number of abandoned, subterranean mines under Paris, France, connected together by galleries. Three main networks exist; the largest, known as the grand réseau sud, lies under the 5th, 6th, 14th and 15th arrondissements, a second under the 13th arrondissement, and a third under the 16th, though other minor networks are found under the 12th, 14th and 16th for instance. The commercial product was Lutetian limestone for use as a building material, as well as gypsum for use in "plaster of Paris".
  Exploring the mines is prohibited by the prefecture and penalised with large fines. Despite restrictions, Paris' former mines are frequently toured by urban explorers known popularly as cataphiles.
  A limited part of the network 1.7 kilometres has been used as an underground ossuary, known as the catacombs of Paris, some of which can be toured legally. The entire subterranean network is commonly but mistakenly referred to as "the catacombs".
context_section_description: Paris lies within the Paris Basin, a geological bowl-like shape created by millennia of sea immersion and erosion. Much of north-western France spent much of its geological history as a submerged sea water coastline, but towards our era, and the formation of our continents as we know them, the then relatively flat area that would become the Paris region became increasingly elevated.  The region was alternately invaded and sculpted by both sea water, inland sea water lagoons and fresh water, in addition to above-water air and river erosion. These cycles produced a rich and varied geological strata containing many minerals that would become a source of growth and wealth for the Paris region.
caption: French cross-section diagram of Parisian Left Bank rock layers; minerals useful for construction are coded yellow.
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