Catacombs of Paris, France

These are underground tunnels that hold the bones of more than six million people, who were transferred there from overcrowded cemeteries in the 18th and 19th centuries. The Catacombs of Paris are not for the faint of heart, as they are dark, damp, and filled with macabre sights and stories.

The Catacombs of Paris were originally part of the ancient stone quarries that supplied the building material for the city. However, as Paris grew and expanded, the quarries became unstable and dangerous, causing collapses and sinkholes. To prevent further damage, the authorities created a General Inspectorate of Quarries to map and reinforce the underground network.

At the same time, Paris was facing another problem: its cemeteries were overflowing with corpses, creating health and sanitation issues. The largest cemetery, the Cimetière des Innocents, was so full that its walls burst open, spilling bones into a neighboring basement. The authorities decided to close down all the cemeteries within the city limits and move the remains to a more suitable location.

The solution was to use the abandoned quarries as ossuaries, where bones could be stored in an orderly fashion. The transfer of bones began in 1786, with nightly processions of wagons covered with black cloth. The bones were dumped into wells and then arranged into piles or patterns by workers. The ossuary was consecrated as the Catacombs of Paris in 1786, and received its first official visitors in 1787.

The Catacombs of Paris soon became a curiosity and a tourist attraction, especially for the upper classes and foreign visitors. They were also used for clandestine activities, such as secret societies, political meetings, or illegal parties. During World War II, the French Resistance used the Catacombs as a hiding place and a base of operations. Today, the Catacombs are open to the public as a museum, but only a small portion of the tunnels is accessible. The rest is off-limits and guarded by police.

The Catacombs of Paris are not only a historical monument, but also a haunted place. Many people claim to have seen or heard ghosts, spirits, or strange phenomena in the tunnels. Some say they have felt cold spots, heard whispers or screams, or seen apparitions or shadows. Others say they have experienced disorientation, panic attacks, or feelings of being watched or followed. Some even say they have been touched or pushed by unseen forces.

The Catacombs of Paris are not for everyone, but if you are brave enough and curious enough, you might want to explore this fascinating and eerie underworld. You will need to book your tickets in advance, as they sell out quickly. You will also need to follow some rules: no flash photography, no touching the bones, no smoking, no eating or drinking, no loud noises, and no straying from the marked path. You will also need to bring a flashlight, a warm jacket, and comfortable shoes. And most importantly, you will need to bring your courage and your respect for the dead.