Catacombes de Paris

Catacombs of Paris (fr. Les catacombes de Paris) - a network of corridors in the old quarries Denfert-Rochereau from the time of the Roman Empire. Paris catacombs have a length of up to 50 kilometers and extend over an area of ​​approximately 770 hectares and are a remnant of the quarries, which ever since the Roman Empire mined limestone needed for the construction of the city. In 1786 for health reasons, in order to avoid epidemics in the crowded city of King Louis XVI commissioned the architect responsible for the renovation of tunnels here bear the delay of the Parisian cemetery of Les Halles district, later from other cemeteries of Paris. In the nineteenth century created spaces that are designed today to explore, for example. The crypt of the Passion (Rotunda Bones), "Tomb of Gilbert." The entrance is located in the Office of Inspector quarries.

The tunnels are covered with numerous graffiti of the nineteenth century, providing that the place was frequented by Parisians. Victor Hugo, frequenter of the underworld here placed the action of his novel Les Miserables. During World War II, the catacombs were the site of clandestine meetings of the members of the French Resistance.

Currently part of the catacombs is available for tourists. The entrance to the tunnel is located in a small green building at the subway station Denfert-Rochereau, which can be reached 4 and 6 subway line [1]. In the catacombs you can take pictures at no extra charge, but you may not use the flash. The entire route has a length of 2 km and starts from going down the steep stairs several meters deep into the earth. Darkness, silence and the presence of so many human remains here makes an electrifying impression and makes you think. In the tunnels from time to time standing stone benches just waiting for the daredevil who sit on them and devotes himself to contemplation of the fragility of human life.

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