Iv'e never been particularly intimidated by graveyards, but I think even I might balk a little and the prospect of spending a night under the Paris Catacombs, especially having recently seen the movie “As Above, So Below.” But Airbnb is giving its users (braver ones than me) the chance to do just that and spend the night in one of the world's largest mass graves. The underground cemetery, which contains the remains of millions of deceased Parisians, many of whom have their bones quite prominently on display, has become the latest host on the platform. For one night only (because it's an advertising stunt, not a legitimate business proposition), two brave souls will have the chance to experience a Halloween night they will never forget, 65 feet under the most romantic city on earth.
During the night of October 31st, the Catacombs of Paris and Airbnb are offering an exclusive night in the depths of the city, alongside the centuries-old remains, which include the famous Jean de la Fontaine, Charles Perrault and François Rabelais. Good luck identifying them mind! It's so much more than a simple night in a (presumably VERY haunted if you believe in that sort of thing) mass grave though. After a private tour of the labyrinth of bones and skulls, the guests will enjoy a daunting culinary experience to the sound of violins. At bedtime, a storyteller will read some catacombs legends to make sure the pair don’t experience any sweet dreams. The next morning, the guests will officially become the first people to ever wake up from the Paris Catacombs and leave.
Thanks to Airbnb, two brave souls will have the chance to experience Halloween night in the famous Catacombs beneath Paris
Located south of the former city gate, the Catacombs of Paris contain the remains of millions of Parisians transferred there gradually between the late eighteenth and mid-nineteenth centuries, as City graveyards were closed due to public health risks. Each year, 500,000 people from around the world visit the Catacombs, but this will be the very first time that people are allowed to spend the night there. This exclusive night is organised through a partnership which contributes to the financing of renovation works in the Catacombs. Special measures were put in place to ensure the safety of participants and the preservation of the ossuary (the literal wall of skulls).
Of course, this isn't the first stunt pulled by Airbnb. Back in May of this year, the company and their agency VCCP sent a floating house down the River Thames to promote the fact that Londoners can now join the rest of the UK by earning a 15% pay rise when they share their homes through sites such as Airbnb. Last year, they also staged a similar one-off night in a ski lift! Nicolas Ferrary, country manager of Airbnb in France, said: “After the incredible night in a ski lift 2700 meters above the ground last year in Courchevel, Airbnb is now sending you 65 feet under Paris! Our travellers are always on the lookout for original experiences and what could be more unique for Halloween than spending a night among the bones and ghosts below Paris.”
The Catacombs of Paris contain the remains of millions of Parisians transferred there gradually between the late 18th and 19th centuries
For a chance to win this unique prize (better you than me), visit the Catacombs’ listing on Airbnb by midnight on October 20th and tell the host why you think you and your partners are brave enough to spend a night in the Catacombs. The press release for the activation included a list of tongue-in-cheek “House Rules,” such as “Don't summon evil spirits,” “Don't follow the ghosts” and “Beware of trick or treaters,” but something tells me there's probably also an unwritten rule about never going for a number two in an underground cemetery, especially one that's a major tourist attraction during the day!
Benjamin Hiorns is a freelance writer and unapologetic wuss from Kidderminster in the UK.
