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.