Underneath the glamour and beauty of Paris lies an open graveyard with human remains going back centuries. Wait, it’s not as gruesome! A Paris Catacombs tour has been one of the most sought after experiences for tourists, a fact the legendary queue outside the entrance are testament to!
The Paris Catacombs are a network of tunnels and caves located beneath the streets of Paris, France. Since the 13th century, these tunnels have been used to bury the dead. The catacombs became a popular tourist destination in the 18th century, and today they are one of the most popular attractions in Paris. They're located in the Montmartre district of Paris, and stretch for about 650 kilometers (400 miles) and are 20 meters (65 feet) deep. The tunnels are divided into three levels, with the deepest level extending to a depth of 30 meters (100 feet).
Here's everything you need to know before booking tickets for a Paris Catacombs tour - is it really worth it?
Advantages of a Paris Catacombs Guided Tour
Expert guidance while exploring the palace:
As one of the largest and most renowned cemeteries in the world, the Paris Catacombs offer a unique and fascinating glimpse into the city’s history. Guided tours of the catacombs are available, providing visitors with an opportunity to learn about the site’s rich history while avoiding getting lost in the massive network of tunnels.
Avoid long lines
Skip the line tickets to Paris Catacombs are available for purchase online, and at the catacombs themselves. These tickets guarantee you entrance to the catacombs without having to wait in line.
Access to special areas
Get exclusive access to areas of the Catacombs not open to the rest of the public as your guide leads you past skeleton-lined walls, as well as chambers and halls generally not seen.
The Best Paris Catacombs Guided Tours
Guided Tours
Combo Guided Tours
Exploring The Empire Of Death At The Paris Catacombs
Choosing the Paris Catacombs Tour
1Skip The Line with Audio Guide
Head directly to the entrance to enter a mysterious network of tunnels, 20 meters below the streets of Paris. These tickets give you access to bypass the 3-5 hour long ticket lines and directly join much shorter queues. You can also choose to get an Audio Guide with this ticket.
2Small Group Priority Access
With your priority access ticket, you can avoid the long lines and go 20 meters underground to meet your professional guide. They will then lead you on an exciting 1.5-hour tour of some ancient burial grounds that are usually not accessible to the public. You'll get to see parts of the Catacombs that most people don't even know exist!
3Small Group Priority Access (16 people max)
With your priority access ticket, you can avoid the long lines and go 20 meters underground to meet your professional guide. They will then lead you on an exciting 1.5-hour tour of some ancient burial grounds that are usually not accessible to the public. You'll get to see parts of the Catacombs that most people don't even know exist!
4Combo Tickets with Audio Guide
Descend into a mysterious network of tunnels, 20 meters below the bustling streets of Paris. Enjoy an hour-long cruise upon the calm waters of the Seine River, all with the same ticket.
Paris Catacombs Tours Deconstructed - A Typical Guided Tour Experience
The Crypt of Passions
The Crypt of Passions at Paris Catacombs is a hidden room which can be accessed by a secret door. It contains the remains of many famous people who have been enshrined there. The crypt is said to be guarded by a spirit known as the Lady in White. She is said to haunt the catacombs and often appears to people who are lost.
Port-Mahon Corridor
The Port-Mahon Corridor at Paris Catacombs is a hidden gem that many people don't know about. This corridor was once used as a secret escape route for prisoners during the French Revolution. Today, it is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the Catacombs.
The Lower Catacombs
A ramp helps you to access the lower catacombs from the upper catacombs. In the suburbs of Paris, you may observe up to five levels of quarries. Many active galleries may be found in the lower catacombs near places like Montparnasse Cemetery, where skeletal remains are strewn across the floor rather than kept on shelves.
Citadel De Mahon
Decuré, a French army veteran who had spent time in Menorca and had studied the design of the Mahon Citadel, rebuilt it. Decuré's replica of the fortress was meticulously drawn from memory. Unfortunately, while constructing a stairway to the rendering, he died and is said to haunt the sculpture still today.
The Well
If you keep going down the spiral staircase, you'll find The Well. It was the first geological drilling done in Paris to identify the city's different layers. At the bottom of the well, there's water that's so clear, that you can't even see what's at the bottom. That's why there are words engraved on its wall that say "Bain de pieds des Carriers," which translates to "foot bath of the Quarrymen."
Are the Paris Catacombs Worth The Hype?
Simply put, yes! The Paris Catacombs are downright iconic when you think about all the work that has gone into their creation. The placement of each skull, every bone, the amount of planning required to make something of that scale, the massive length (300 kms!), and the perfection on display at every step despite the technological limitation of that time, all make the Catacombs of Paris the marvel they’re considered today.
A Paris Catacombs tour is (probably) one of the closest time travel-esque experience you’ll ever have. The maze-like halls of the Catacombs are lined with the literal and figurative skulls of the past, a reminder of how far humanity has come and the fact that we are all mortals at the end of the day. They are also a grim yet beautiful reminder of the rich history of the city and the events that have shaped the city like the French Revolution and Hitler’s regime.
Why You Must Visit The Paris Catacombs?
Tale As Old As Time
It all began in the 18th century with most Paris cemeteries becoming overpopulated. With no place to bury the dead, what followed was a lot of open graves, improper burials, and unearthed corpses. Years of public outrage finally forced the government into action and led to the creation of the Catacombs.
In 1786, the Tombe-Issoire quarries were converted into what we now know as the Catacombs. Over the next two years, bones were transferred from the Les Innocents to the catacombs, and all subsequent burials occurred on the Catacombs. By the time the construction was finished, the winding tunnels had stretched a massive 300 km!
Paris Of The Past
Outside of being an archaeological marvel, where over 6 million dead people lay (peacefully?) under the City of Lights, the Catacombs are significant to the city in more ways than one.
The Catacombs were built on abandoned limestone quarries, which produced the stone used for building Paris. While a majority of the surface is covered with bones, there are small remnants of the quarries still intact, offering history enthusiasts a peek into the literal building blocks of the city of Paris. Another aspect that makes the Catacombs special is their significance in the evolution of Earth’s geology.
Paris Catacombs: Practical Information
Opening Hours
Tuesday to Sunday from 9.45 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
The Catacombs are open on July 14, August 15, November 1 and November 11.
Closed on Monday and certain holidays: January 1, May 1 and December 25.
Getting There
- By Bus: Local bus lines 38 and 68 also stop close to the Catacombs if you prefer traveling by bus.
- By Car: If you choose to rent a car or bring your own (if you happen to live in Paris), the closest paid parking place is at Saint-Jacques Boulevard.
- By Metro: You can get to the Paris Catacombs by taking the Paris Metro, specifically trains M-4 and M-6. Deboard at the Denfert-Rochereau station and the Catacombs entrance is across the street, a mere one minute walk away.
- By Paris RER: Alternatively, you can opt for the RER and take train RER-B and deboard again at the Denfert-Rochereau station.
Insider Tips
Great! Now you’re all set to visit the Paris Catacombs. Before you begin planning, here are some handy tips you’ll thank us later for:
- Given that the Catacombs are entirely underground with limited ventilation, the temperature can get pretty chilly, at around 60°F/15°C . Bring along a sweater even if it’s the summer, because the temperature outside really doesn’t impact the Catacombs.
- Not that you would want to (or maybe you do?), but DO NOT touch the bones. It’s gross and disrespectful.
- Don’t try and steal the bones (it’s a thing some people do), or anything that you did not bring in. The guards at the exit conduct a pretty thorough check and you don’t want to be found with a bone in your front pocket.
- The ceiling gets pretty low in certain sections of the catacombs. If you’re tall, watch your head!
- When you exit after the 2 km walk, you’ll be in a completely different area. Don’t get lost. The nearest metro station is Mouton Duvernet.
- The floor is dusty and/or wet in certain areas and you’ll walking in the dark a lot. Avoid bringing your best pair of shoes for the tour. Opt for a worn out pair of sneakers or anything that’s comfortable and old.
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