Submitted by Olivia Toth on the 2016 fall semester study abroad program in Paris, France…
This week, we took a trip to the Catacombs of Paris. This is something I’ve always wanted to see because I’m fascinated by this kind of history and by museums that are more out of the ordinary. It was quite a change from the art museums such as the Louvre. It’s simply astonishing to learn of the history behind this mass grave. Originally, the catacombs were used as tunnels to harvest limestone, but now it’s estimated that more than six million Parisians are buried beneath the streets. Seeing all the walls formed by skeletons was haunting, but I am so glad I got a glimpse of a completely different aspect of Paris. The Catacombs are certainly much darker and creepier than the surroundings above ground!