Catacombs of Paris

#westerneurope The whole visit is pleasant, interesting and safe. Large bags are not allowed. The floors are little wet in the tunnels, kinda cold too. Online reservations are available on the official website (only allowed to book one week in advance). The entrance is here, but the exit is at a different location, you may search for ‘Exit of Catacombs’. The Catacombs of Paris are one of the city’s creepiest but coolest places to visit. Hidden underneath the busy streets, this underground maze holds the bones of over six million people. It all started back in the late 1700s when Paris’s cemeteries were overflowing and causing health problems. To fix it, the city began moving bones into old limestone tunnels that had once been quarries. The bones were stacked neatly, almost artistically, with skulls and leg bones arranged in patterns along the walls. It sounds spooky, but it’s also really impressive. You enter the Catacombs through a small building near Denfert-Rochereau, then head down about 130 steps to reach the tunnels (Only 1 direction, no split route). Only a small part is open to visitors, but what you see is unforgettable. As you walk through the dark, narrow paths, you’re surrounded by walls of bones and centuries of history. It’s quiet, a little eerie, and totally fascinating. The Catacombs have inspired tons of myths and stories, and they’re perfect if you’re looking for something different from the usual museums and landmarks. Today, they’re a protected historical site and one of Paris’s most unique attractions. :) #travel