Hotel des Invalides and the Catacombes

---

Day three and we dragged our tired bodies out of bed for another exciting adventure. We are still struggling to come to terms with the time difference, Dad and Mum are waking up at 2am every morning while I sleep in to 4am. Exhausted much?

Today we headed off to the Hotel des Invalides which was built in the 1670s by Louis XIV to provide housing for some 4000 disabled war veterans (which it still does to this day). It also houses the tomb of Napoleon, his brothers and sons and other famous French generals and the French army museum. The tomb of Napoleon is amazing. As Mary said, you can tell that he had the whole "small man syndrome" going on. His sarcophagus is huge, consisting of five successive coffins made of tin, mahogany, lead, ebony and red quatzite resting on a green granite base. The whole tomb is ridiculously opulent, made mostly of marble with plenty of gold embellishments. When I cark it I want you guys to do something similar for me. I think Tobin Brothers may have some sort of Napoleon package going on. Best if you start pre-paying now...

In stark contrast to Napoleon's tomb was our next stop, the catacombs. In 1785, Paris decided to solve the hygiene problems posed by it's overflowing cemeteries by exhuming the bones and storing them in the tunnels of disused quarries. We had a little difficulty finding the catacombs but once again Big Phil whipped out his Francais skills and asked for help and we were well on our way. We descended 20 metres underground and were greeted by literally millions of skeletons piled on top of each other (see video). Felt like I was at work. It was clear that looking at several of the skulls that some of them had severe head injuries, some even resembled bullet wounds! Although given my experience in this field I deduce that they all died of ischaemic heart disease! The catacombs were also used during WWII as a headquarters by the resistance.

Once we emerged from the catacombs we had to undergo a bag search as apparently people regularly steal the bones. That day alone the security guard had retrieved 3 skulls from peoples bags!

We're all now relaxing in the apartment sipping on wine (which is ridiculously cheap here). We'd sit outside on our balcony which overlooks the Eiffel Tower, however France is in the middle of a cold snap and it's absolutely freezing here. A little annoying given the day prior to our arrival it was 30 degrees! Oooh, hang on Dad's heading out there now. Oh no, he's back in stating "tres fresh" and "du vent". We've made a pact to at least sit out there once before we go even it it's in beanies and ponchos.

---

Photos

Catacombs
Oooh, is that a scary yet fiery Parisien ghost behind us?

Hotel des Invalides
Yes, that's real gold people.

Napoleon's sarcophagus
This photo does not do justice as to how large his sarcophagus is.

Statue of napoleon
Napoleon's son is buried underneath the inscription on the ground.

Comments

[Olivia]

Your video doesnt work
Howdy, was looking forward to the video, it is 0 seconds of 0 seconds dont think you downloaded it properly!

[MessyMel]

Problems with the video
Hmmm, what a dilemma Livi. May have to email it to you.

[BeckyLou]

video
Ditto to what Livvy said - video, she no work. You are hilarious. Literally laughed out loud (here on paid work time) at the French anaethetists protest march!! PS- It's getting a little disturbing to see your Dad's red Paris ensemble in every photo.... is he taking care of his personal hygiene regime whilst travelling?? lol

[MessyMel]

I know, Dad's red Paris uniform is scaring me.