The City of Love. The City of Light. But the City of Fright? Despite its beauty and undeniable romance, when it comes to the darker side of light, Paris has plenty to offer. You just have to dig a little deeper, in some cases literally, to find it. Forget Valentine’s Day; go to Paris for Halloween instead.
1. The Catacombs
When the Cemetery of the Innocents near Les Halles started to overflow with bodies it caused an unpleasant stink and health threats. The then ongoing work of strengthening streets and general building work in and under Paris offered a useful alternative to bury the dead. Named after the catacombs in Rome, this underground network of 200 miles of tunnels (pictured above) is now filled with the bones of an estimated six million people, and self-guided tours display neatly arranged bones organized by size rather than to whom they belong. Walls of skulls and miles of femurs make for an eerie display.
2. The Museum of the History of Medicine
Not in a purpose-built museum but on the top floor of the medical school of the University Descartes lies this beautiful wood-paneled and sky-lit space dedicated to some 1,500 medical objects. All were designed to improve heath, but more often than not, resemble torture instruments. There are scalpels dating back more than 2000 years, early amputation instruments, and, in the next window, prosthetic hands and arms. There is even a small side-table made from body parts, complete with various ears and a foot. A note of caution for men, whether you think that you have a strong constitution or not, try and stay away from the last window on the left. It will make your eyes water.
3. Père Lachaise
