Paris is renowned as the city of love to most. But, the city is also famous for its underground site of human remains stretching for nearly 2,000 acres. Known as the Paris Catacombs, this vast passageway resembles a labyrinth of tunnels and lies beneath the city. The remains of more than 7 million people are buried here and it extends southwards from Barrière d'Enfer ("Gate of Hell").
Although the Catacombs extend for about 800 hectares, only a small part of it is available for the public to explore. This small spooky adventure makes it to the top list of things to do in Paris that you must add to your itinerary. Here is all the eerie information about this less-talked part of the city that you should take note of before planning a visit.
Paris Catacombs In A Nutshell
Handy information
| ⏰ Suggested Duration: | 1.5 hours |
| ☀️ Best Time to Visit: | Evening |
| 💜 Must See: | The Barrel Of Passion |
| 🎟️ Paris Catacombs Entry Ticket: | €29 |
| 🚇 Closest subway station: | €22 |
Must-see
Citadel De Mahon
The Lower Catacombs
The Barrel Of Passion
The Well
Things to know
Number of visitors per year: 5,50,000
Depth: 65 feet
Built in: 1810 Dating back to 5th-century AD
Steps to go down: 131
Steps to come up: 112
Opening Hours And Address
Tuesday to Sunday - 9:45 am to 8:00 pm
Closed on Mondays
Address : 1 Av. du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy, 75014 Paris, France
Get Directions
Why Visit The Paris Catacombs
The Catacombs of Paris is one of the most eccentric attractions in the city. Rightly nicknamed the Empire Of Death, the Catacombs were an escape for the city’s dead from the overfilled cemeteries in the 17th century. But the existing underground tunnels were already home to corpses from centuries ago, making it the most sophisticated and chilling grave to house 7 million dead.
The walkway itself is fascinating in a weird way enveloped by art made of skulls and bones. A barrel made of skulls, a well made of bones, and many interesting sculptures will dare you to admire them. This combination of a spooky, historic, and morbid yet fun haul makes for a memorable visit to Paris.
The Chilling Paris Catacombs History
The underground ossuaries house the skeletal remains of more than 7 million Parisian corpses from the 5th to the 17th centuries. Since the cemeteries were overflowing in the 17th century, Louis XV banned all burials from occurring inside the capitol and instead buried them in the centuries-old underground tunnels. It took 12 long years to move the overburdened corpses under the city. Although there were bodies already buried from 1,200 years ago, the newer corpses piled up leading to extending the catacombs for 800 hectares.
During WW2, the French Revolution used the tunnels and led the liberation of Paris in June 1944. In 2004, a notorious underground group called Les UX illegally established a private theatre with a giant screen, seats, film noir decor, and a fully stocked bar. The horror film, As Above, So Below was the first movie to be shot in the catacombs in 2014.
Paris Catacombs Tickets
While you can buy the tickets at the Catacombs ticket gate, you will also need to stand in long waiting lines as the Catacombs see as many as 1600 visitors each day. To beat the long queues, explore the spooky grounds of Paris with Paris Catacombs skip-the-line tickets which also include an audio guide that takes you through the past and present of the Empire Of Death.
What To See In The Paris Catacombs
Although the Catacombs are acres in area, you can only explore 2 km of it. Here are the highlights of this eerie escapade.
A French army veteran by the name of Decuré who had spent time in Menorca created a fascinating exhibit remaking the Citadel De Mahon. The copy of the fortress was carved perfectly from memory by Decuré. Unfortunately, he died while building a staircase to the rendering and it is said that his ghost still haunts the sculpture.
To know the inner workings of the underground city, you can cross over to the lower catacombs from the upper catacombs with the help of a ramp. You can see up to five levels of quarries in the suburbs of Paris. In places like the cemetery of Montparnasse, you can find many working galleries in the lower catacombs where skeletal remains lie all over the floor instead of being shelved.
Although unclear of its origins, the Barrel Of Passions, a barrel made of bones and skulls first came to fame during the illegal underground party in 1897. It is located in the center of the area called the Crypt of Passion.
Right after the never-ending spiral staircase you’ll chance upon The Well. It was the first geological drilling done in Pars to identify the geological layers of the city. The most surprising discovery in the water at the end of the well cannot even be seen because of its clarity. For this reason, you’ll see the words ‘Bain de pieds des Carriers’ engraved on its wall which loosely translates to the foot bath of the Quarrymen.
Paris Catacombs Entrance
The entrance is located at 1, Avenue du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy (place Denfert-Rochereau), 75014 Paris. It is just located just minutes away from the bus and subway stops. You have 131 steps to go down to the catacombs and 112 steps to climb back up the entrance. The tour is a one-way circuit, so the entrance and exit are in different locations. The exit is located at 36 RUE REMY DUMONCEL 75014 and is close to Mouton Duvernet subway station. To learn more, read our comprehensive blog about Paris Catacombs entrance.
Visiting The Paris Catacombs
Paris Catacombs Opening Hours
Tuesday to Sunday - 9:45 am to 8:00 pm
Closed on Mondays.
Getting There
By Car : From central Paris, it takes about 15 to 18 minutes to get to the Catacombs by car via Av. du Général Leclerc.
By Bus : Board Line Bus 38 from Saint-Michel - Saint-Germain bus station to the Catacombs. The ride only takes only 12 minutes.
By Taxi
: It takes about 5-8 minutes to get to the Catacombs from Paris city center by taxi.
By Metro
: Line 4 Subway from Cité (Paris Metro) to Saint-Jacques takes just 12 minutes. The Catacombs entrance is only a 5-minute walk from the Saint-Jacques stop.
Best Time To Visit Paris Catacombs
The best time of the day to visit the Paris Catacombs is in the evenings. Enter a couple of hours before the closing time (8 pm) to make the most of your visit, and skip the tourist swarm.
The best time in the year to visit the Catacombs is from June to August and September to October. While June to August, Paris experiences pleasant weather, the crowds are generally larger. During September to October Paris experiences Autumn with less rain, sweater weather, and thinner crowds.
Catacombs of Paris Map
Tips For First Time Paris Catacombs Explorers
- Carry a sweater along. It gets chilly underground.
- Avoid weekends and early mornings since most tourists opt to visit the Catacombs during those times.
- The tour area of the Catacombs has a 200 person restriction which is why the waiting lines take up to 6 hours on most days. Purchase your Paris Catacomb tickets online in advance to save time and money.
- If you’re not opting for a guided tour of the Catacombs, make sure you grab an audio guide from the entrance. Walking the halls of the Catacombs without context is no fun.
- Wear comfortable shoes and bring a bottle of water as there’s a fair bit of walking involved.
Restaurants Near The Paris Catacombs
After a spooky tour in the ossuaries of Paris, make sure you eat a hearty and tasty meal at these top-rated restaurants around the Catacombs.
Located just 100 meters from the Catacombs is Baladna, an authentic Lebanese restaurant. They serve freshly served Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, vegetarian, and vegan-friendly options as well. The ambiance is cozy and the staff is very welcoming.
Must try: Mezze, the soup, and chicken/beef skewers, brochettes
Denfer Rochereau-Indiana Café is a Tex-Mex restaurant and bar located just outside the Catacombs. You can grab anything from burgers to nachos. The ambiance is warm and has many artworks from native Indiana regions.
Must try: Chili, Taco Casserole
Ayko Sushi is the best Japanese restaurant in the area located a stone’s throw from the Catacombs. Expect lightning-speed service and freshly cooked steaming food. The portion size tops the cherry for customers.
Must try: Raviolis Japonais, Maki rolls, Asahi beer
Contre-Allee is the people’s favorite MICHELIN star restaurant in the area and requires a reservation in advance. It is located only 200 meters from the Catacombs and serves delicious French and European delicacies. They also have vegetarian-friendly options.
Must try: Wild mushroom pasta, gazpacho
Sign up for our monthly newsletter
Your dose of travel fix - from hacks and deals to travel tips and everything in between, delivered monthly to your inbox
Hotels Near Paris Catacombs
The Catacombs is located in southern Paris. The area is known for its green spaces and is covered with gardens such as Parc Montsouris, Parc André Citroën, and Parc Georges Brassens. There are plenty of museums such as Cartier Foundation for Contemporary Art, Musée de La Poste, Bourdelle Museum, and Gobelins Manufactory to name a few. It makes for a peaceful stay in the lap of greenery while in the city and there are a few hotels in the area that would make your time in Paris memorable.
Max Hotel provides comfort, convenience, and value to your stay with its top-notch amenities and service. The hotel has modern decor and meets all Parisian standards from food to service.
Distance from Catacombs of Paris: 0.7 km
If you are looking for a cozy yet luxurious stay, turn to Hotel Leopold. The suites are small yet comfortable and offer you a sip of luxury with their decor. The staff is friendly and accommodating. Don’t miss out on the breakfast buffet while you are here.
Distance from Catacombs of Paris: 0.7 km
If vogue is what you are looking for, look no further than Lenox Montparnasse. They offer air conditioning, a fully stocked bar, lockers, soundproof rooms, and private parking in addition to the modern amenities provided everywhere. The hotel is also pet-friendly, so you can bring your furry friends along.
Distance from Catacombs of Paris: 0.9 km
If you are in for a truly exotic experience with the taste of yesteryear’s France’s luxury, head to Hotel La Lanterne. This boutique hotel will remind you of old Paris with modern amenities. They offer truly exotic views of Paris from your windowpane and are only a stone’s throw away from attractions like Notre Dame Cathedral and the Pantheon.
Distance from Catacombs of Paris: 3.8 km
FAQs
What is the story behind the Paris Catacombs?
Have the Catacombs of Paris been fully explored?
How big are the Catacombs of Paris?
Why were the Paris Catacombs built?
Can you get lost in the the Catacombs?
Who is buried in the Paris Catacombs?
Do the Paris Catacombs smell?
Can you touch the bones in the Paris Catacombs?
Can you take a explore the the Catacombs by yourself?
Do you need tickets to see the Catacombs?
Are there tours available for the Catacombs?
Ready To Explore Paris?
Check out our comprehensive Paris Travel Guide packed with itineraries, tours, culture trips, best hotels, restaurants and a lot more.
Best things to do in Paris
