What is it about the macabre that appeals to certain travelers? Is it the facing-your-fear factor? The thrill of that spine-tingling sensation? The bragging rights for having braved a brush with mortality? Whatever the reason, some of us are strangely drawn to ghoulish places while we’re soaking in the more mainstream sights and scenery. Luckily there is no shortage of spooky spots to explore around the world, many of which are historical or entertaining to boot.
1. Paris Catacombs, France
The romantic city of lights has a dark underbelly that has evolved into a bone-chilling tourist draw. Some six million skulls and skeletons are piled, layered and artistically arranged in the vast underground tunnel network that lies beneath Paris. This subterranean mass grave was created in response to cemetery overcrowding in the 18th century where rotting corpses were starting to contaminate the city’s water supply. Enter near Place Denfert-Rochereau if you dare to visit this dark and dank ossuary labyrinth.
