With Halloween coming up, I got inspired to tell about our visit to the Paris Catacombs.
What is more halloween like than dead people and tons of skeletons?
This attraction was Mr. Grumpys only “demand” during our trip to Paris – so I agreed on the go ahead. We knew there would probably be a line so we decided to go early – we thought. Looks like our early was not that early after all. Result: 2 1/2 hours of waiting in line.
Waiting in line for the entrance. Walking all around the Park – luckily we got some great weather
This is exactly why I don’t like to do these typical “touristy” attractions. I H.A.T.E to wait in line and find it totally utterly meaningless. I could have done so much more walking, exploring in the city for 2 – 3 hours. I´d rather take these hours to spend exploring different areas around town, like this one for example. Loved the area around the Catacombs. – any who, enough ranting.
We finally got in, and headed down this long narrow steep spiral staircase cut out in what looked to be stone. Saying farewell to the daylight and heading down, down to the old mining halls of Paris´s history.
Some of the artwork you encounter on your tour
It´s a long way down still….. one on the lighter wells. Or maybe just a overflown hall
It is dark down there. And my photos where suffering due to just that.
History of the Paris Catacombs:
These old roman limestone mines are about 300 km long. Only a small part of them are open to public as you can easily get lost inside. Not to worry, the catacomb tour is lighted and marked.
The 2 km long halls of bones started being used during the late 1700th. This was due to overpopulation of Paris and this area was starting to get polluted due to the big amount of dead. The Cimitiere Des Innocents was dug up as it started to be a health treat to the population and the bones of the 6 million dead was then moved down to the old abandoned shafts.
Tickets can only be purchased at sight. The Paris Catacombs tours takes about 45 min. Starting with a decent of 130 stairs, a walk inside the halls witch holds 14ºC. You are walking 20 meters underneath the part of Montparnasse and are climbing the 85 steps to get back to “civilization” again. If you have time. Take the time to explore the area around the Catacombs. It is a lovely part of town despite the creepy attraction.
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