Down Into the Catacombs....

[martianmoons]

I went by myself to see the Paris catacombs, while the ladies went off to see and do other things in Paris. There was a little wait to get in, and then I found myself descending very tightly wound stone steps into the ground--about 30 meters down I later found out. The tour is self-guided with signage providing the historical detail

Comments

[drocera]

What a wonderful experience!!!

I've ALWAYS wanted to go into the Paris catacombs. Were you allowed to take pictures?

[martianmoons]

Flash pictures were not allowed. And it was a very memorable experience! :)

[martianmoons]

International language is wonderful! ;)

[puttysan]

I have pictures from my trip last summer if you'd like to see. My wonderful camera has a long exposure time in the dark, and so it's gives the pictures a slightly blurry, otherwordly look.

I also had an adventure down there in which a young guide offered to take me to a closed off part to see some inscriptions, and I started to go off with him, until I thought "Ok, this would be where we get raped and murdered on our vacation, so we're not going to do this."

[martianmoons]

Sounds like you did the right thing not going into that closed off part, that is sort of creepy potentially...

If you have the time to post the photos, that would be great, otherwise I still have quite a good mental image of the whole thing! ;)

[puttysan]

It was entirely possible that it was a guy who saw a young blonde American woman who was fascinated, and wanted to show her something that most poeople don't get to see. But yeah, it was a little too creepy to risk.

I have a bunch up already from the summer, I'll see about getting the rest later on.
These are the best from the Catacombs, starting at "Tight spiral staircase"

[martianmoons]

Thanks, and I enjoyed looking at the other photos as well! :)

I guess Hammurabi's Code was at the Louvre? I just finished listening to a Teaching Company lecture on Ancient Civilizations, and so this code was of course mentioned. :)

[azziria]

I've never been to the Paris catacombs, but in Rome we visited the Capuchin cemetery, which has to be one of the most bizarre things I've ever seen - all the decorations and even the light fittings are made of bones.

[martianmoons]

That does seem pretty bizarre! Thanks for passing this along, if I am ever in Rome I will have to check it out! ;)

[whtmtnwmn]

Creepy and fascinating at the same time! How many miles did you explore?

So while you were a ghost, did you say "boo" with a French accent?
;D

[martianmoons]

It was a fairly long walk, but they just show you a fraction that exist. :) And I did raise my arms, and for some reason the only word that came to mind was "oui!", but that seemed adequate! ;)