Paris - day four- 14 September 2012
Today is the day we most wanted to spend in Paris - our tenth wedding anniversary.
Naturally, that means we go and visit the Catacombs. In the midst of Death, etc....
First, a warning. The Catacombs are not for the weak of heart. I mean that literally. There are 103 spiral stairs going down, and 83 steep, deep spiral stairs going up. If you are fit and long-legged, you'll be fine. If you're an unfit, overweight, short-arse like me, them watch out. Spiral stairs also upset Iain's BPV, so be warned.
However, the actual Catacombs are marvellous. They are reasonably well-lit, without losing atmosphere, and you can't get lost*. The going underfoot can get a bit hairy when wet (it rained several days per we went).
There is a whole model city made by one of the workers under there (see www.iainllyn.blogspot.com.au for pictures). Also lots of interesting facts about geology. The Catacombs were the original stone mines of Paris.
But the big thing is the Ossuary: the storehouse of bones from the old Paris cemeteries that were moved here in the Eighteenth Century. Some of the bones are arranged in patterns, but most are in alcoves with notices telling you which cemetery they came from. I was looking for a particular cemetery, but sadly, the larger Ossuary was closed off. These means that I couldn't find the remains from Madeliene Cemetery, where many of the guillotine victims of the Revolution were buried.
Great article on Underground Paris in National Geographic
Then after lunch we did the scenic cruise up
And down the Seine. Please see the log for photos. We saw the smallest house
In Paris, the prison that held Marie Antionette, most of the usual landmarks, and lots and lots of impressive bridges.
Then off to dinner for our anniversary. Champagne,steak tartare (me), champagne and you don't need to know the rest.
*although you possibly could manage it. People do. The authorities found a whole underground cinema one year.
Next: Musee d'Orsay, water lilies galore and a nasty incident.
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