Les Catacombes - A Tourist Destination for the Brave?

This is where the official entrance is to the massive network of underground tunnels that criss-cross their way across Paris, although there are lots more along the vast network. The 3000km network of subterranean passageways started their life as a series of quarries which provided the limestone needed for some of Paris' more notable buildings, Notre Dame for instance. by the late 18th century when the city had become so big that it extended this far south, streets started to collapse and so in order to prevent this, tunnels and supports were constructed by the authorities to prop up the earth.

At the same time, with official burial sites overflowing in the age of the Revolutionary Terror, the bones of around 6 million people were transferred underground into les catacombes. The famous and infamous such as Marat and Robespierre and their associates are tightly packed in alongside their fellow countrymen along wall upon wall of bones and skulls.

Getting down to the level of the bones is not for the faint hearted as you descend down an 85 step spiral stair case. Take a torch with you and don't be tempted to take a souvenir as bags are searched when you exit.

Les Catacombes is open from Tuesday to Sunday between 9.30am and 4pm and admission is 5 Euros. Under 14's go free.

Paris Shopping

Shopping in Paris - Just the thought itself can be exciting. There are many quite exquisite shops where you can get everything under the sun. On the week days all the shops are open till 8 pm. Let us get familiar with a few places where you can shop to your complete satisfaction.

Les Halles is a shopping mall situated between the Louvre and Notre Dame. A real feast for shoppers is assured here. Here you can see a huge book store called FNAC, many hotels, apparel outlets, an indoor swimming pool and garden for the children to play. The specialty is that all these are underground!! Au Printemps is a dream come true for any shopper. This is a place for you if you are a shopping maniac. Address: 64, boulevard Haussmann, 8th Arrondissement [Read more]

A Guide to The Louvre, Paris

The Musée du Louvre is undoubtedly one of the world's finest art collections, and there would be nowhere more fitting to house such a collection than the magnificent Louvre Palace, an immense Renaissance complex once used as the residence of French royalty

There's so much to see that it would be possible to spend a whole day or more exploring it. Here's a guide to the building and the splendid works of art within it, to help plan a visit to the Louvre and see the best of what it has to offer.

History: The original building on this site was a fortress constructed by King Phillipe-Auguste in the 12th century to protect the city from the Vikings. The Louvre then evolved over the centuries to meet the needs of its various inhabitants. The first significant alterations were made by Francois I, who had a brand new Renaissance palace built, and from then a succession of monarchs and rulers all left their mark, extending and altering it until it became the stunning vast complex that it is today.... [Read more]