Get Your Creep On In The Tunnels Beneath Paris

More than 6 million human remains line the tunnel walls of the Catacombs of Paris, spanning 200 miles. This spooky place was created to utilize the city’s ancient stone mines (which were occasionally collapsing due to poor construction) and address the pressing issue of overflowing cemeteries.

At first, the catacombs were unorganized, but with the leadership of Louis-Étienne Héricart de Thury, the stacks became more orderly. The use of femurs and skulls to create patterns and designs is beyond creepy and endlessly fascinating. Over the years, the catacombs were open for tours, then shut down, then opened again. The church greatly disagreed with exposing human remains to public display. Eventually, the tunnels were permanently open, mainly because of the hype surrounding their exposition during the World’s Fair in 1900. Since then, the bones have been vandalized and some stolen. Much of the tunnel system isn’t open to the public. Though, locals sneak into to create speak easies and even movie theaters, but this is strongly discouraged. However, the penalty is only a small fine.

What are your thoughts? Would you visit these odd burial grounds?