Rome/Paris Catacombs
 

How claustrophic are they? Really want go with my teenage son to see them, but . . .

I haven't been to the ones in Paris, but I didn't find the ones in Rome claustophobic. While you do descend pretty far into the ground, there are no tight spaces to squeeze through. Be sure to go on the English tour (if that is your only language) because you'll get a lot more out of it.

I just came back from Paris 2 weeks ago and went to the catacombs there. I think a teenager would find them to be "cool," but I found them a little sacriligeous, and gross, as well as claustrophobic. The friend I was with was ready to have an anxiety attack, since you decend pretty far underground, and there's water dripping from the ceiling, and there is no way out other than by following the "tour." If I knew French better, I probably would have enjoyed the catacombs more. They have markers all over the place, in French, and if you can't understand them, it just doesn't make that much sense to be walking around underground with tons of people's skulls and bones. <BR> <BR>Plus, the line to get in was incredibly long -- it took us an hour and 15 mins just to get into the place. I think there are a lot of better, more beautiful things to spend your time on in Paris than the catacombs.

julie: <BR> <BR>although it's true that the catacombs shouldn't be very high on your priority list, they are still very interesting to see. they were definitely one of my highlights of being in paris (kinda like icing on the cake). <BR> <BR>they are not claustrophobic, but they are damp and dark. there are lights interspersed along the route, but bringing a flashlight will definitely make your visit better. <BR> <BR>it's a dark and macabre enjoyment, going to see millions of bones and skulls--but there is such a rich sense of history that it should not be missed. It gives you a sense of what people went through to make Paris the great city that it is today. <BR> <BR>You will not wait an hour in line if you get there early in the morning or later in the afternoon. It's just like any other touristy spot in paris. <BR> <BR>Daniel