Empire of the Dead (Roman, 80s, France, popular)

[NJGOAT]

Found this interesting and thought I'd share:

Loving life in Paris' Empire of the Dead - CNN.com

Beneath the streets of the City of Light lies a world draped in darkness and shrouded in silence. The tunnels are narrow, the ceilings are low and death is on display.

Paris' dead had been buried in cemeteries and beneath churches in the city center, but the number of bodies began to overwhelm the land, breaking through the walls of people's cellars and causing major health concerns.

So, beginning in the 1780s, the bodies were transferred in carriages at night to a new, final resting place in the old quarries.

In those tunnels there are now the remains of more than six million people. And for the cataphiles, the life among the dead opens up new dreams and possibilities.

[ecaridad]

Here is something that may not be known (outside of Paris). My cousins who lived in Paris in the 60's through the 70"s told me that these catacombs are a popular makeout spot for teenagers. He also said that many of the well known entries are sealed with iron grates because of a couple who got lost in them and died, but they still went there to make out. For myself I can't think of a less romantic spot to make out but then I wasn't there.
What do you think? Personally I believe that the teenagers went there to make out but I never would have. Even though I never lived there I can think of several places that would appeal to me more than (to make out as a teenager) a catacomb.