France is a country rich in history. With buildings that stand centuries old, there are bound to be some paranormal sightings. The truth is that skeletons don't always stay in the closet. In fact, their spirits may show themselves in many ways. The haunted locations in France continue to report sightings today.
The Catacombs, Paris, France:
The most talked about place for haunting is The Catacombs in Paris. As a quickly growing city, cemeteries were becoming overcrowded and space for the living was becoming sparse. Reports in some locations, such as Les Innocents, near Les Halles, told of rotting corpses spilling out into the streets due to improper burial left neighbors suffering from disease. It was in the mid-1700s that cemeteries were being condemned and the remains of corpses were being moved into the darkness beneath Paris. When you visit The Catacombs in Paris, you are only seeing a small portion of the extensive tunnel system. Thousands of remains were moved underground and piled together. The remains of men, women, and children all intertwined. Their stories forever lost and combined into one.
It is often said not to disturb the dead. Moving remains will definitely cause disruption in a spirit's life. As visitors and tour guides move through the Catacombs, there have been reports of eerie silences, feeling the presence of spirits, and even being touched by the dead. During the first White Night, the Catacombs were open until 2:00am with all the other Paris attractions. The lines were long to get in and the eerie feeling that hits you during the day was even stronger at night. The area that is open to tourists displays the bones in patterns. If you ever found yourself in other parts of the Catacombs, know those patterns no longer exist.
Brissac Castle, Loire Valley:
When you find yourself admiring the French Chateaux in the Loire Valley, make sure Brissac Castle is on your list. Built in 1633, you can see that no expense was spared when this ornate castle was built. Touring the castle, among the gold painted ceilings and extensive tapestry collection, you may feel a chill. It is perfectly normal to feel a chill at the sight of a double-murder. The story says that Jacques de Breze caught his wife, Charlotte, in the castle with her lover. In a fit of rage, de Breze murdered them both. Jacques de Breze sold the castle shortly after their deaths because the moaning at night was too much to bear.
Mont-Saint-Michel, Normandy:
If you visit Mont-Saint-Michel early in the morning or on a gloomy day, you will see what looks like a ghostly fortress emerging from the sea. The scene will definitely draw you in, and this location has a long history. Reports of ghostly sightings abound. In 709, the bishop of Avranches built the first church on Mont Tombe. Archangel Michel wanted his to do so. A Benedictine monastery was added in 966, but burned to the ground. The monastery was rebuilt and now stands as haunted location in France. It became a prison for a time after the 1789 Revolution, before it was listed as a historical monument.
Chteau de Versailles:
Versailles has offered many the chance to travel back in time. Home to the French royal family between 1682 and 1789, people often experience seeing people in 18th century clothing. Some even report seeing a different landscape than what you would see today. Even sightings of the beheaded Queen, Marie Antoinette, have been reported. Orbs and ghostly presence can be seen in many tourists' photos while descriptions of being touched by ghosts are often recounted. For a supernatural experience, Versailles offers many, even in the gardens.
A country as rich in historical moments as France, it is no wonder there are often sightings. These haunted locations and so many more can be found all over France. If you enjoy scares, make sure to add a few of these locations to your list of places to visit.