Privileged-Access Paris Catacombs Tour With Secret Rooms

Believe it or not, Paris has miles of underground, stone-walled catacombs, originally used as mines where limestone was extracted in the 13th century. But in the 18th and 19th centuries, as Paris’ cemeteries filled to capacity, the city began transferring the remains of more than 6 million people to the catacombs, making for an eerie resting place for the dead. It’s sometimes referred to as “The World’s Largest Grave.’’ This tour begins with descending a staircase deep below the streets of Paris by the "Barrière d'Enfer" (translated: “The Gates of Hell”). You'll move through a labyrinth of dimly-lit corridors and iron gates — a stately, if ghostly, atmosphere. Ghostly, because you’ll see thousands upon thousands of bones lining the walls, carefully arranged by artists and architects in a bid to make the space more "livable" for the deceased.