France: Paris Catacombs open at night ahead of Halloween

As if visiting the Paris Catacombs in the daytime weren’t creepy enough, you can now visit the underground maze of skeletons after nightfall, too. That is, if you dare defy the warning at the entrance: “Stop, this is the empire of Death.” The subterranean tunnels cradle the bones of about 6million Parisians from centuries past, and once provided refuge to smugglers. The site used to close at 5 p.m., but is now staying open until 8 p.m. The change is mainly aimed at allowing more people to visit and reducing long lines, but it also adds to the thrill: entering and leaving the catacombs after dark feels different from doing it in daylight.

Associated Press

This story was originally published October 26, 2014 at 8:00 AM with the headline "France: Paris Catacombs open at night ahead of Halloween."