BACKGROUND:
The world-famous Catacombs of Paris consists of a network of
subterranean chambers and galleries, located in Roman-era limestone
quarries. Many of these tunnels and caves were converted into mass
tombs near the end of the 18th century.
Burial use in the depleted quarries became established in 1786
by the order of Monsieur Thiroux de Crosne, Lt. General of Police,
and by Monsieur Guillaumot, Inspector General of Quarries. At the
time, the Les Halles district in the middle of the city
suffered from disease caused by contamination from poor burials and
mass graves in churchyard cemeteries, especially the large
Cimetière des Innocents. It was decided to discreetly remove
the bones and place them in the abandoned quarries. These are most
widely known as "the catacombs", but the offical title is "les
carrieres des Paris," or "the quarries of Paris."
Remains from the cemetery of Saint-Nicolas-des-Champs were among
the first to be moved. Bodies of the dead from the riots in the
Place de Greve, the Hotel de Brienne, and Rue Meslee were put in
the catacombs in August 1788.
The chamber walls have collected graffiti from the 18th century
onwards. In the 19th century, evidence suggests that some families
even lived in the catacombs. Victor Hugo used his knowledge about
the tunnel system in his novel Les Misérables. In 1871,
communards killed a group of monarchists in one chamber. During
World War II, Parisian members of the French Resistance used the
tunnel system. Also during this period, German soldiers established
an underground bunker in the catacombs for their own use.
THE CACHE:
Your first challenge will involve finding a good parking spot
and reaching the cache site safely. You'll be looking for a small
pill bottle wrapped in duct tape. Bringe your own pen to sign the
log. Do not play in traffic, and try to keep your feet dry.
Enjoy!
 Dangerous area
 Bring a pen or pencil
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