please empty your brain below
When I visited the Catacombs in Paris 10 years ago there were no queues and I had the place to myself for quite a while. They must have become popular now for some reason.
You only get to see a small section of the tunnels and urban explorers often venture illegally into unopened sections.

John | 10.05.17 - 7:08 a.m. | #

You do wonder where the rest of the skeleton went, perhaps the smaller bits weren't bothered with, also what the living relatives thought the chances of resurrection would be.

Still anon | 10.05.17 - 7:29 a.m. | #

"Hauteur 19M15" looks to me like an altitude not a date?

| 10.05.17 - 7:56 a.m. | #

A couple of lads had been apprehended at the exit when I eventually visited this amazing place a couple of years ago. They were sheepishly looking at a small collection of bone fragments laid out in front of them, and were nervously awaiting their fate. I hear that a new wing is opening up next year...

And, @still_anon, the broth heavily advertised on the menu boards in nearby restaurants did not appeal. Fortunately, we had lost our appetites...

Whist the bones are interesting, it was the walk itself that was my main interest, and did not disappoint. Apparently, there are ancient catacombs all across the city, and this is the best opportunity to experience them. Alternatively, some of the Metro interchanges are very similar, where you have to walk and walk and walk. Maybe one day their walls will also become lined with the skeletons of all those tourists who had become hopelessly lost therein, abandoned without hope...

Ken | 10.05.17 - 8:00 a.m. | #

I was there about fifteen years ago and there were no queues and we went straight in, I loved the place and intend to go back again on my next visit to Paris.

fishislandskin | 10.05.17 - 8:20 a.m. | #

Many years ago, when I visited the Paris Catacombs, only some parts had electric light. Most of the way you had to stumble along with a flickering candle in your hand!

Leuconoe | 10.05.17 - 8:23 a.m. | #

Yes, there are indeed extensive tunnels all over the southern part of the city, most closed to the public. But you can see maps online: http://exploration.urban.free.fr/catacombes/

And if you 'know someone who knows someone' you can take an unofficial tour as well. There are spaces down there large enough for music concerts and dance nights, as indeed takes place.

James | 10.05.17 - 9:15 a.m. | #

Wow.
But reinterment not reinternment?
Sorry

dg writes: Sorry

| 10.05.17 - 9:21 a.m. | #

Depth perhaps? About 20m below street level?

Andrew | 10.05.17 - 9:29 a.m. | #

As well as the Catacombs I also went again below Paris by visiting the sewers, parts of which are open for visitors.

John | 10.05.17 - 9:38 a.m. | #

@still_anon: I understand that the smaller bones were placed into the space behind the main walls of bones. Presumably they were harder to stack...

Abe | 10.05.17 - 9:58 a.m. | #

Here's an article about an 'illegal tour' of part of the network (I'm sure I still have the magazine somewhere, if anyone's interested...) They talk about a depth of 20m, so this matches closely the figure given here.
[article]

James | 10.05.17 - 10:20 a.m. | #

Paris is basically built on quarries (les carrières). There are underground caverns and passageways just about everywhere. It also accounts for the homogeneity of the white stone as a building material.

You can't did a hole in the ground in Paris without getting approval from the Inspector of Quarries (Inspection Genérale des Carrières).There have been several big holes dramatically appearing in the past including one when building Métro ligne 14.

The catacombs are but a very small part of this enormous network. Imagine Chislehurst Caves extending under all of central London and you start to get the idea.

I agree with others this need to queue seems very modern. Another opportunity for underground excursion is the Paris Sewer Museum. For some reason there isn't a café there.

Pedantic of Purley | 10.05.17 - 10:46 a.m. | #

Great to see DG expanding his horizons in his (temporary?) early retirement. If finances allow, how about a flight from CDG to Lima? I'd love to get his take on Cuzco and Machu Picchu, my favourite city and in MP the only place to beat the Grand Canyon for "awesomeness" (maybe Bus Stop M also comes close, of course).

Don Winslow | 10.05.17 - 11:23 a.m. | #

DG has reported on a good number of overseas trips over the years. While this one may have been connected in some way with his "resting" status, I don't think we need presume that.

Absolutely fascinating description though, and it does remind me that Paris rivals London in attractions, and it is crow-flies-wise much closer to London than Edinburgh. Sadly I have missed the catacombs twice, both times by turning up on the closed day (which changed between the two attempts, and I stupidly failed to check).

Malcolm | 10.05.17 - 11:57 a.m. | #

Since the altitude above sea level of the ground in Paris is 30m (according to Google), then 19.15m is quite likely to be a measurement above sea level, which would tie in with the use of the word "hauteur" (which does not mean depth!).

Malcolm | 10.05.17 - 1:48 p.m. | #

I expect dg went on one of the sub £60 returns that keep being offered on Eurostar.

They are currently available for plenty of summer dates, though doing a day trip most weekends is somewhat more pricey.

ap | 10.05.17 - 3:53 p.m. | #

If you want something just as ghoulish, but with mummies instead of skeletons, I can recommend this place in Sicily.
http://www.palermocatacombs.com

Whiff | 10.05.17 - 4:46 p.m. | #

Never heard of this (and I've watched Metro). And I thought I knew Paris pretty well.

Many thanks.

Chris | 10.05.17 - 4:54 p.m. | #

Is there a "dead" time (sorry!!) to visit when the queues are shorter?

Cornish Cockney | 10.05.17 - 11:03 p.m. | #











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