Catacombs Of Paris Are A Famous Underground Ossuary In Paris, France

Opening times:
Tuesdays to Sundays 10am–5pm

Address:
1, place du colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy

Phone: 0143224763

URL: www.frommers.com/destinations/paris/A25361.html

Type of Attraction: Historical Site

If you are looking for an attraction in Paris that can be considered to be out of the ordinary, then one of the best picks would be the catacombs. This underground network of narrow roads was once a quarry. It was in the 18th century when the public cemeteries of Paris posed serious health issues due to overcrowding. The stench was bothering the people and it became the source of diseases at that time. To solve this problem, the bones and remains were transferred underground which then gave way to the opening of the catacombs. During WWII, the catacombs were used by the French Resistance as their headquarters.

At present, annual visitors would amount in the region of 40,000 to 50,000. The catacombs are now electrically lit. At the start of the tour, you have to descend a series of steps through a spiral staircase. A gallery will be the first thing you see and at the entrance you will see a sign that says “Stop! Beyond here is the Empire of Death!” Beyond the entrance is a long series of tunnels of about 910m with an estimate of six million skulls and crossbones stacked artistically. Street names are given to the tunnels with engraved proverbs of wit and other idioms.

As the tour ends, you will ascend a new set of spiral staircase and come out of another part of the city. The catacombs are a nice place to be when you seek thrill and excitement in a dark perspective although this place is not for the claustrophobic, since the area tends to be narrow and damp.