The City of Paris calls it a museum, so I went to give a big American “howdy!” to the bones of an estimated 6 million Parisians, moved here from overflowing city cemeteries in the 18th and 19th centuries. The itinerary is a 45 minute walk through deep-down underground tunnels, and includes both a tour through empty disused quarries and the catacomb, boney parts – which is a strange combination of the tedious and the bizarre, like going out to dinner with both Alan Greenspan and Marilyn Manson.
The catacombs are stuffed full of bones – so many that you’ll be thinking that 6 million is an underestimate. It’s not really gross, since these are old, dry bones, all stacked in neat OCD arrangements with considerable decorative use of skulls. Guards will point out the more creative assortments, such as a heart made out of skulls (WORST JOB EVER, by the way). The grossest part is the dampness, which results in death-water dripping down from the ceiling (keep your mouth closed).
And… that’s about it. Quarry, bonesbonesbones, quarry. Go and satisfy your inner Goth.
