money You Can Virtually Explore the Catacombs of Paris Right Now
Thanks to today’s top-notch technology, we’ve been able to virtually explore attractions all over the country without even getting off the couch. Sure, a computer screen will never compare to a first-hand experience, but it still gives us a feel for places we might not have ever considered visiting, or get the chance to visit in real life.
Today, we’re off to another destination and it might just be spookier than the Winchester Mystery House virtual tour. We’re heading to Paris via our web browsers (passports not needed) to explore the famous Catacombs, a.k.a. the underground quarry home to the skeletal remains of over six million Parisians.
The Catacombs of Paris is one of the most popular (and creepiest) attractions in the City of Light. Now, you can experience it for yourself without the long lines via the sight’s interactive virtual visit feature. Tap into this 360-degree immersive experience and you’ll be placed inside these ancient bone-filled tunnels. Zoom in to get an up-close look at some of the skulls that line the walls if you dare–the detail is immaculate. Click up to see the ceiling, down to see the ground, and left and right to travel around this underground maze—this virtual tour lets you see it all.
Once you’re finished taking it all in, click on the four white squares in the bottom left corner to access the menu and advance to the next stop. You’ll have access to: the Atelier, Galerie de Port-Mahon, Cloche de Fontis, Alcove del’Ossaurie, and Lampe Sepulcrale de l’Ossuaire.
The Catacombs have been open since 1809 and stretch for over 200 miles; however, visitors (virtual or not) only get to experience a small portion. This underground quarry had come into use during the late 1700s, as cemeteries in Paris were overflowing with bodies, posing major health risks. The city decided it would be best to move these bodies underground, resulting in the largest ossuary in the world.
What’s particularly great about the Catacombs’ virtual tour is it is completely free and accessible anytime. If you visit in person, the lines are usually very long as only 200 people are allowed in at the same time. Tickets at the door are 14 euros ($15.43 USD), but you can purchase tickets online that let you skip the wait. Those golden tickets cost a little more than double the price at 29 euros ($31.97 USD), and include an audio guide.
While the virtual tour does not include audio, you can discover even more about the Paris Catacombs from the thrilling documentary, As Above So Below. This film follows a team of explorers who venture into the Catacombs to unearth some pretty dark secrets about the city. You can watch it on Netflix here.
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