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Guided Tours

Catacombs Guided Tour with Special Access

Tour guide leading a group of tourists through the Paris Catacombs on an exclusive underground tour
Guide giving tour of Catacombs
Bones stacked up in the Paris Catacombs
Skulls stacked up in the Paris Catacombs

Head into the awe-inspiring dark side of the City of Lights. The Paris Catacombs have captured the imaginations of countless visitors for over a century. This is your chance to delve deep into this grotesque architectural wonder of skulls and bones.

Highlights

  • Skip the long lines and head straight into the fascinating tunnel complex beneath Paris

  • Learn about the history of the Catacombs from an expert English-speaking tour guide

  • Get access to some of the restricted areas in the Catacombs

  • Choose between a semi-private tour of less than 7 per group or with a guided tour of 19 or fewer people per group

  • you will have enough breathing space to explore the Catacombs with your guide.

Inclusions

  • Access to special areas that are otherwise closed to the public

  • Guided tour of the Catacombs of Paris

  • Skip-the-line access

  • Expert English-speaking guide

  • Groups of 19 members or less

  • Semi-private tour (Optional)

Cancellation policy

You can cancel these tickets up to 48 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

Reviews

4.5
1.8K ratings
5/5
1.3K
4/5
285
3/5
52
2/5
17
1/5
89
William Timothy Schaiff

William

5/5

Sep, 2024

The guide was fantastic and very knowledgeable about the catacombs. Being a small group made it easy for everyone to hear and ask questions. We also we let into areas not open to general tours which made it even more special. We absolutely loved the tour.
Trinity Muehlberger

Trinity

5/5

Jul, 2024

I loved how enthused Leo was about the catacombs. She brought pictures to display the history and really added a lot to the tour! Merci!
james McAleer

James

4/5

Aug, 2024

The guide Elanora was perfect
Christine Migge

Christine

5/5

Mar, 2024

The tour and Marianne's explanations were very interesting and exciting.
View original review in German
Jouglard Pierre

Jouglard

4/5

Feb, 2024

The tour and the guide were perfect, but unless I was mistaken, there was no indication that the tour was in English.
View original review in French

While Paris is generally popular for its monuments and exquisite museums that hold priceless masterpieces, the eerie and surreal world beneath its shining streets and magnificent buildings is often forgotten. The Catacombs of Paris are home to about 6 million skeletons. The Port Mahon Gallery inside these tunnels features intricate sculptures carved into the rock. A quarry worker is said to have worked here for 5 years from 1777 until a cave-in crushed him.

The Catacombs were originally built to serve as an alternative to the overflowing cemeteries of the city above. Bones of the dead were stacked here to form fascinating columns and walls during the late 18th Century and the era of Napoleon.

The Sepulchral Lamp and the Sacellum Crypt are other iconic locations inside the Catacombs. The former was perpetually lit to demonstrate that there was enough air to breathe deep underground. You will get an opportunity to witness all this and more on this one-of-a-kind tour.

Walk past the long line outside with your skip-the-line access ticket and enter the chilling Paris Catacombs with your expert local guide. The guide will tell you captivating stories and legends of this extraordinary tunnel complex beneath one of the world’s most glamorous cities.

Visit some of the restricted sections of the Catacombs like the Port Mahon Gallery and marvel at the intricate carvings in the rock. During the French Revolution, the dead were directly transported to the Catacombs. The remains of famous French figures like Lavoisier and Robespierre can be found here.

The Sacellum Crypt, Gilbert’s Tomb, and Sepulchral Lamp are the other compelling attractions you will visit in the Catacombs on this tour. Experience the thrill of exploring this uncanny world below Paris.

What to bring

  • Regardless of surface conditions, the Paris Catacombs maintain a constant cool temperature of 14°C/57°F, so dress appropriately with layers.

  • It is recommended to wear comfortable walking shoes as the ground is uneven in places.

What's not allowed

  • Keep in mind that bags bigger than 55cm x 35cm x 20cm are not allowed on this experience. Pack wisely!

  • Eating, smoking, or drinking are prohibited inside the venue.

  • Due to venue restrictions, pets cannot tag along for this experience.

  • Shutterbugs, take note: Camera tripod is a no-go inside the venue.

Accessibility

  • This experience is not wheelchair accessible.

  • This experience is not suitable for individuals with motor disabilities, cardiac or respiratory insufficiency, or sensitive individuals.

Additional information

  • Tours at 12:30pm and 5pm accommodate 19 guests, while those at 1:30pm, 4:30pm, and 5:30pm are limited to 6 for an intimate experience.

  • Children under 14 years must be accompanied by an adult.

  • Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.

  • Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the meeting point.

  • Please arrive at the meeting point 15 minutes before the scheduled time of your tour to avoid any delays.

Meeting point

  • Please check your final voucher for the meeting point details and specific instructions.

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