Inside the Catacombs of Paris

The catacombs of Paris is the final resting place of millions of bones. Due to overpopulation and lack of sanitary conditions around cemeteries, the water became contaminated and became a source of infections around the area. In the 18th century the bones of Paris' dead were moved from their cemeteries to this abandoned stone mine.

We visited the Catacombs of Paris during our April 2011 travel. I was nervous at first because it's underground and I've recently discovered I was claustrophobic after I did the Scavi tour in Rome. It was something different. It wasn't scary at all, nor did I feel claustrophobic. There were plenty of space and enough light to see.

What I felt wasn't fear. In fact it felt tranquil and serene in the catacombs. Layers and layers of skeletons were piled high and wide along the walls and you can't help wonder who these people were. I felt sadness that this is the resting place of so many, and to be unknown in a pile of millions.

Music by Kevin MacLeod