A holiday trip to the empire of death

‘Airbnb is offering two people the chance to stay overnight in the Paris catacombs.’ Photograph: Paul Koudounaris As I descend into the Parisian catacombs, my companion, Max, lets out a groan behind me. He has followed me warily down into the tunnels that form a honeycomb under the bustling streets of Paris’s 14th arrondissement, after I promised him that we would follow up the experience with a stiff drink.