Timeline

Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The underground quarry of the Chemin de Port-Mahon is an old stone farm located under 26-30 rue de la Tombe-Issoire and 15-17 villa Saint-Jacques, in the 14th arrondissement of Paris. Its exploitation was attested before 1492, and its name came from sculptures made by a carrier, Antoine Décure, representing Port-Mahon in Minorque, visible in the galleries adjacent to the catacombs. These sculptures, along with a grid condemning access to the quarry, are still visible today during visits to the catacombs.

Classified as a historical monument on January 4, 1994, this quarry is considered a unique testimony to the exploitation of stone in Paris at the end of the Middle Ages, thanks to its intact state. The Council of State confirmed this ranking in 1998, stressing its historical and archaeological importance. In 1815 it was already part of the catacomb attractions, but since 2003 it has been owned by a real estate developer, which has led to tensions with heritage associations.

The quarry is distinguished by its double-storey galleries, carved from the 14th century, and by the inscriptions of carriages dating from the 16th century. Despite its ranking, its future remains uncertain due to planned real estate projects on the surface. The plots concerned include portions of the rue de la Tombe-Issoire and the villa Saint-Jacques, where is also the last farm in Paris, the farm of Montsouris.

The inscriptions and sculptures present in the career, like those of Antoine Décure, offer a rare insight into the techniques and life of medieval carriages. The career is now closed to the public, but its history and state of conservation make it a major site for understanding the Parisian underground heritage. Disputes between the promoter and heritage advocates illustrate contemporary issues of preservation in the face of urbanization.

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