Most Atmospheric Lunar July Attraction in Paris: The Catacombs Accessible by Metro House 6 Million Skeletons

▲The famous Paris attraction, the Catacombs. (Photo / Wikimedia Commons)

By Rita

For some Taiwanese people, the primary purpose of visiting Europe is still to see museums or relax and take photos at street-side cafes—this is the common expectation and imagination of travel. But in reality, it’s quite a pity if a trip only includes romantic attractions, because a city can always be understood from different perspectives. Just like in Paris, you might consider visiting the famous Paris Catacombs—you might be surprised to find that the queue outside is comparable to that of many museums.

▲Inside the Catacombs. (Photo / Wikimedia Commons)

According to the usnews website,the Paris Catacombs (Les Catacombs)are a very unique attraction. They are located underground in central Paris, where visitors can learn about the history of a major city. In fact, the underground catacombs began to be used in the late 18th century. Before that, Parisians mainly buried their dead in cemeteries. Later, due to urban development and population growth, there was no longer enough space to accommodate the deceased, so this former limestone quarry became the final resting place for people. Over the course of 12 years, a total of 6 million people were laid to rest here.

The extent of the catacombs is very large, even extending beneath many important attractions. Currently, only parts of the catacombs are open to the public. Visitors can take metro lines 4 or 6 to get there. It is illegal to enter through other underground entrances. Once on site, visitors will be amazed to find such a site has so many people waiting to visit. Therefore, it is recommended that visitors buy tickets in advance.

Travel websites advise that children under the age of 14 should not visit, nor should those with heart or respiratory conditions.

Address: 9 rue de Sévigné, 75003 Paris
Ticket price: €2
Official website: http://www.catacombes.paris.fr/en/homepage-catacombs-official-website