The highlight of our trip to Paris came 120 feet underground in the Paris Catacombs. In 1780s Paris' cemeteries were over flowing.
"The transfer of the remains could begin after the blessing and consecration of the site on April 7th 1786, and it continued until 1788, always at nightfall and following a ceremony whereby a procession of priests in surplices sang the service for the dead along the route taken by the carts loaded with bones, which were covered by a black veil. Then, until 1814, the site received the remains from all the cemeteries of Paris." - catacombes.paris.fr
These were the catacombs we were making our way into. The temp slowly cool off as we descend the slippery poorly light spiral staircase. Reaching the bottom we crept our way through narrow tunnels using a headlamp to peek into blocked off side tunnels. Occasionally we'll hear another group of people ahead or behind us, but never run into anyone. Adding to the ambiance of walking through cramped subterranean tunnels.
Without signage or introduction we suddenly exit tunnels and enter the catacombs. Stacked 5 ft high and 15 ft deep are thousands of human skulls. The sight is unbelievable and it takes some time for us to realize the full magnitude of what we're walking through.
The tunnel just keeps going. Skulls arranged in different masonry techniques. Femur and skulls neatly arranged to seamlessly create a wall to contain the piles of bones behind. A mile later we reach the end and ascend another wet muddy stair case to the surface, now 2 miles from were we came in.