This morning we were both feeling quite sick from our coughs, and we struggled down to breakfast at a late 10:15am. Breakfast was busy, and we were wedged into a small, already used table. Meredith was not amused by this at all, but the table was cleared promptly and we started on our usual coffee, tea and croissants.
After breakfast we took the Metro South to Denfert Rochereau to visit the Catacombs. The catacombs were utilized near the end of the 18th century to store the contents of the Les Halles cemeteries which were unsanitary due to the number of bodies stored there. The bones were transported across Paris on carts, and originally, simply piled up in the Catacombs. Later, however, the bones were arranged more neatly, and into patterns, by monks. The Catacombes are 60 feet down underneath street level, and it is silent and warm down there. Despite the warnings visible on entry, we didn't find the descent down into the Catacombs too taxing, though it was quite a long trip down the spiral staircase. Once down, it was a longish walk of a kilometer or so to the 'burial chambers'. There are many explanatory signs dotted around, and a presentation at the start of the underground portion.
Spiral stairway descending 60 feet below the street
Meredith in the catacombs
After a long walk, you begin to feel that the tunnels are never going to end, then you reach the entry room, with an ominous warning.
Arretere! C'est L'Empire de Mort. (Stop. This is the empire of the dead.)
When you pass through this portal, you enter more tunnels and chambers where the bones removed from the cemeteries are piled up in patterns.
Skulls and bones
Detail of a skull
Skulls arranged in patterns
Stone memorial amidst bones
After the Catacombs, and slightly tired from the 60 feet climb back to the surface, we stopped at a small cafe which specialized in pancakes. We had some coffee and filled buckwheat pancakes and continued on with a trip to the church of St Sulpice. We saw some interesting things on the way to St Sulpice including an Apple Store, though it had no mention of the new Intel Macs.
Apple information store
Metro station with Montparnasse Tower in background
Nice art deco door near St Sulpice
Weird sculpture
Amazing door off Place St Sulpice
St Sulpice
At St Sulpice, one of the towers was being restored, by the looks of the scaffolding, though the inside was beautiful. This church in particular had quite a good heating system, and there were several tramps sat on chairs placed strategically over the hot air vents.
St Sulpice Interior (Tramp encamped over hot air vent)
Base sculpted by Pigalli
Stained glass in chapel in St Sulpice
After St Sulpice, we decided to go and look at the church of St Germain. I think this will be the last sight we see in Paris for this trip.
Cathedral St Germain
Girls running past St Germain
Interior of St Germain
Statue
Plaque that I liked for its style
Stained glass in St Germain
Painting in St Germain
And if you managed to read all this way, or just looked at the pictures, heres a final reward.
;-)
