The catacombs in Paris

The catacombs in Paris resulted from an overuse of the cemetaries in the city. The cemetaries were so overfilled with decomposition and disease, that neighbouring arrondissements were getting ill from them. So in 1785 it was decided that there would be 3 major cemetaries on the outskirts instead.. and the bodies inside the city would be exhumed and moved to a mass burial chamber.
The bodies were moved at night by horse and cart covered in black draped fabrics - and priests were on board blessing the journey and new burial site.. it took 15 months to deliver to 3 sites. Since the burial, the catacombs became instantly famous.

Just before the revolution, the Comte d'Artois threw wild parties there, and during World War II the French Resistance set up its headquarters there.. Even the Germans occupied one part of them during WWII.

We had been the day before - but the lines were a 2 hour wait.. I talked to some Canadians who said they had been in the area for 3 days and there was always a 2 hour line. We decided the best option was to arrive an hour before opening and get in that way. What a treat - we were 2nd in line which meant no one was in front of us when we entered the tunnels, which spanned 1.7kms 200 metres below the city.. actually quite scary, raising all sorts of claustrophic fears you didn't know you had. Here's a shot of Desh ahead of me.. looking slightly ghostly;

After walking 500metres through these tunnels with low ceilings - you come to the first lookout post - but of course we are even earlier than the employees.

This is where you start reading about all sorts of accidental deaths that happened down here and even massacres - where bodies were just dumped with the other bones.

Next we have our first decorative arrangement - this being a heart shape - some were in pirate skull and crossbones.. very creative.

Excuse the shaky photography - fear mixed with no flash allowed signs.

I couldn't resist patting the odd skull on the head - not sure why - just wanted to touch death.. a bit odd really - Desh tried but couldn't quite get her finger to contact.

This next one I used a couple of thigh bones to keep the camera still as a tripod. Is that wrong? I don't think so when you see the results ;)

This is the common site of the catacombs. Basically a wall made of different bones (thigh I think) and skulls on different layers - kind of like the jam and cream inside a chocolate layered cake.. tasty.


After 45 minutes or so you climb 80 stairs and arrive to a guy checking your bag for stashed finger bones. Seriously, apparently that has been quite the problem over the years.. the odd ( and I do mean 'odd') tourist taking a bone home for the pool room!

So you walk out into a weird street and look back at the building - you have just walked out of a total non-descript box in the middle of nowhere.. Imagine if you walked past not knowing and just watched >> you would see thousands of people exiting - and no one entering ... a bit odd.