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Top things to do in Paris

Paris Catacombs

Descend into Paris’s eerie underground, home to skeletal remains of over six million people.
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Paris Catacombs
Paris Catacombs
Visitors exploring the entrance of the Paris Catacombs with a sign above.
Sepulchral lamp in the Catacombs’ ossuary, Paris, surrounded by skulls and bones.
Barrel-shaped structure of bones and skulls in the Catacombs’ Ossuary, Paris.
Skulls and bones stacked in the Paris Catacombs.
Catacombs’ Ossuary wall of bones with inscription, Paris.
Skull surrounded by bones in the Catacombs’ Ossuary, Paris.
Underground stone passage in the Paris Catacombs with ancient support structures.
Underground catacombs with walls lined with human skulls and bones.
Corridor in the Paris Catacombs with stone arches and dim lighting.
Quarrymen’s footbath in Catacombs’ Ossuary, Paris, with spiral stone steps and blue water.
Seine River cruise boat near Notre-Dame Cathedral, Paris.

Paris Catacombs Reserved Access Tickets

Book now, pay later
Flexible duration
Audio guide

  • Step into the Paris Catacombs and explore its underground tunnels, centuries-old inscriptions, and the Port-Mahon gallery at your own pace with timed entry, which means you can pick a time slot.

  • Follow a multilingual audio guide in English, French, Spanish, or German that brings the history and stories of over six million Parisians to life.

  • Learn how the Catacombs evolved from a quarry to a vast ossuary, uncovering fascinating facts along the way.

  • For a complete experience, upgrade your ticket to include a 1-hour Seine River cruise and see Paris’ iconic landmarks from a fresh, scenic perspective.

More details

  • Step into the Paris Catacombs and explore its underground tunnels, centuries-old inscriptions, and the Port-Mahon gallery at your own pace with timed entry, which means you can pick a time slot.

  • Follow a multilingual audio guide in English, French, Spanish, or German that brings the history and stories of over six million Parisians to life.

  • Learn how the Catacombs evolved from a quarry to a vast ossuary, uncovering fascinating facts along the way.

  • For a complete experience, upgrade your ticket to include a 1-hour Seine River cruise and see Paris’ iconic landmarks from a fresh, scenic perspective.

from
€46.50
Catacombs with skulls and Seine River cruise near Notre-Dame in Paris.
Skulls and bones arranged in the Catacombs of Paris.
Skulls and bones arranged in the Catacombs of Paris.
Cruise boat on the Seine River with Eiffel Tower in Paris.
Cruise boat on the Seine River near Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.
Catacombs of Paris with skull-lined walls, illuminated passageway.
Skulls and bones in the Paris Catacombs.
Paris Catacombs model of Port-Mahon carved into limestone wall.
Corridor in the Paris Catacombs with stone arches and dim lighting.
Information board in Paris Catacombs with skulls and bones, part of Small Group Guided Tour.
Skulls in the Paris Catacombs on a small group guided tour with special access.
Cruise ship on Seine River passing under Paris bridge.
Seine River cruise boat near Notre-Dame Cathedral, Paris.

Combo: Catacombs Tickets + Seine River Cruise

1 hr
Audio guide

  • Pick this combo and experience Paris from two completely different perspectives: its hidden underground world and its beautiful riverfront, making for a day you won’t forget.

  • Enjoy timed entry to the Catacombs so you can start your adventure right when it suits you, without waiting in long lines.

  • Explore the tunnels and ossuary walls at your own pace, guided by an audio tour in English, French, Spanish, or German that brings the history and stories of the Catacombs to life.

  • After your underground journey, step onto a 1-hour Seine River cruise and take in Paris’s iconic landmarks from the water, with audio commentary available in 14 languages.

  • Flexible departure times for the cruise make it easy to plan the day exactly how you like it.

More details

  • Pick this combo and experience Paris from two completely different perspectives: its hidden underground world and its beautiful riverfront, making for a day you won’t forget.

  • Enjoy timed entry to the Catacombs so you can start your adventure right when it suits you, without waiting in long lines.

  • Explore the tunnels and ossuary walls at your own pace, guided by an audio tour in English, French, Spanish, or German that brings the history and stories of the Catacombs to life.

  • After your underground journey, step onto a 1-hour Seine River cruise and take in Paris’s iconic landmarks from the water, with audio commentary available in 14 languages.

  • Flexible departure times for the cruise make it easy to plan the day exactly how you like it.

from
€115
Guide explaining history to visitors inside Paris Catacombs.
Tourists exploring Paris Catacombs, walking through tunnels lined with skulls and bones.
Paris Catacombs model of Port-Mahon carved into limestone wall.
Group listening to a guide in the Paris Catacombs during a tour.
Corridor in the Paris Catacombs with stone arches and dim lighting.
Tourists exploring Paris Catacombs with guide, viewing bone structures in underground passage.
Information board in Paris Catacombs with skulls and bones, part of Small Group Guided Tour.
Tourists exploring the Paris Catacombs, viewing skulls and bones in dimly lit tunnels.
Dimly lit catacombs corridor with gated entrance and stacked bones, Paris tour.
Skulls in the Paris Catacombs on a small group guided tour with special access.
Skulls and bones arranged in the Paris Catacombs during a guided tour.

Paris Catacombs English Guided Tour

Book now, pay later
2 hr

  • This ticket gives you timed entry to the Paris Catacombs, so you can plan your visit without waiting in long lines.

  • You’ll get access to restricted areas that are usually closed to the public, including hidden galleries and unique sections of the tunnels.

  • An expert English-speaking guide leads the tour, sharing fascinating facts, stories, and little-known anecdotes about the Catacombs.

  • Groups are capped at a maximum of 19 people, making it easy to ask questions and enjoy a personal, engaging experience.

  • Walking through nearly 2,000 acres of tunnels, you’ll see how the site transformed from a quarry into the city’s largest ossuary and discover the history behind its most iconic sections.

More details

  • This ticket gives you timed entry to the Paris Catacombs, so you can plan your visit without waiting in long lines.

  • You’ll get access to restricted areas that are usually closed to the public, including hidden galleries and unique sections of the tunnels.

  • An expert English-speaking guide leads the tour, sharing fascinating facts, stories, and little-known anecdotes about the Catacombs.

  • Groups are capped at a maximum of 19 people, making it easy to ask questions and enjoy a personal, engaging experience.

  • Walking through nearly 2,000 acres of tunnels, you’ll see how the site transformed from a quarry into the city’s largest ossuary and discover the history behind its most iconic sections.

from
€121.50

Pro tips to help you make a pick

While there is lighting, it's dim. Consider bringing a headlamp if you tend to prefer seeing more clearly.

Navigate 131 steps to descend into the Catacombs and 112 steps to ascend. Exercise caution in the narrow, slippery, and dim passageways to ensure a safe exploration.

As the Catacombs maintain a cooler temperature underground, bring a light jacket for comfort. Wear sturdy, comfortable shoes to navigate the pathways during your visit.

Don't be tempted to explore unauthorized areas. The "cataphiles" who access closed sections risk getting lost or injured.

Be prepared for crowded and potentially claustrophobic conditions. If you're prone to claustrophobia, reconsider your visit to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable experience.

About Catacombs of Paris

Immerse yourself in the intriguing history of the Paris Catacombs, an underground ossuary holding over six million remains. Dating back to the late 18th century, these tunnels, initially a solution to overcrowded cemeteries, now form a vast 300-kilometre maze. Explore the captivating underground labyrinth that has inspired art and literature, including Milan Kundera's "The Unbearable Lightness of Being." Don't miss this unique journey—purchase your tickets now for an unforgettable experience beneath the streets of Paris!

Great for
Couples
Solo Travellers
History Geeks
First-timers
Address1 Av. du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy, 75014 Paris, France
Also known asParis Municipal Ossuary
Year opened1809
Founded byCharles-Axel Guillaumot
Visitors per year600000
Expected wait time - Standard2+ hours (Peak), 30-60 mins (Off Peak)

Did you know?

It took 12 years (1786 to 1798) to relocate the remains of six million people into the Catacombs, transforming the former limestone quarries into an ossuary.

Mushroom cultivation was huge in the Catacombs, given the ideal conditions of constant temperature, humidity, and darkness.

Rave parties and movie screenings in the Catacombs have attracted clandestine groups over the years and continue to do so.

Cataphiles (urban explorers of the Catacombs) have created macabre and intricate art installations using bones. This subculture adds a unique, underground artistic dimension to the already eerie atmosphere.

In an audacious heist, robbers once drilled through a wall in the Catacombs to access a Parisian apartment for exquisite wine, highlighting the labyrinth's usage for criminal activities.

Why visit Catacombs of Paris?

Historical Marvel

Explore the Catacombs, a subterranean labyrinth born in the 18th century to tackle Parisian cemetery overflow. Housing six million remains, it's a unique symbol of Paris's past.

Offbeat Exploration

Experience Paris differently with the Catacombs, gaining a unique insight into the city's history and culture. It's an unconventional, eye-opening journey beyond typical tourist spots.

Architectural Marvel

Admire the intricate architecture behind the Catacombs, a vast network of tunnels and galleries stretching over 200 km. Marvel at the engineering feat that created this underground wonder.

Macabre Displays

Delve into the eerie allure of the Catacombs as bones and skulls are artistically arranged, creating a macabre yet captivating atmosphere for visitors to experience.

Cultural Education

Gain a unique educational experience at the Catacombs, delving into Paris's history and the innovative methods devised to handle cemetery overcrowding.

Highlights

Citadel De Mahon

Discover a captivating exhibit in the Catacombs crafted by French veteran Decuré. He meticulously recreated the Citadel De Mahon from memory, but tragically, he passed away while building a staircase, and legend has it that his ghost lingers near the sculpture.

The Lower Catacombs

Uncover the secrets of the underground city by venturing into the lower catacombs via a ramp from the upper catacombs. Explore up to five levels of quarries beneath Paris suburbs, including working galleries with scattered skeletal remains.

The Barrel Of Passion

Encounter the mysterious Barrel of Passions, a bone and skull barrel of uncertain origin. It gained notoriety during an underground party in 1897 and is centrally located in the Crypt of Passion area.

The Well

Beyond a spiralling staircase, discover The Well, the first geological drilling in Paris. The water at its end, though unseen due to clarity, led to the engraving "Bain de pieds des Carriers," translating to the Quarrymen's foot bath.

The Ossuary

Experience the eerie Ossuary, the final resting place for millions of Parisians. Witness symmetrical arrangements of ceiling-high bones and skulls, including the macabre Barrel of Passion—a ceiling-high barrel formed from skeletal remains.

Plan your visit

Address

1 Av. du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy, 75014 Paris, France

Nearest Bus stop

Denfert-Rochereau

Nearest Metro station

Denfert-Rochereau

Nearest Train station

Denfert-Rochereau

Travel guides and tips

Catch the best Paris Catacombs guided tours

Catch the best Paris Catacombs guided tours

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 […]

Explore the eerie & interesting Empire of Death at the Paris Catacombs

Explore the eerie & interesting Empire of Death at the Paris Catacombs

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 […]

5-step guide on how to skip the line at the Paris Catacombs

5-step guide on how to skip the line at the Paris Catacombs

Explore the darker side of the ‘City of Lights’ by walking through the large underlying passageways of the Paris Catacombs. The catacombs are decorated in the remains of several million Parisians, stacked with human femurs, bones, and skulls. The attraction recalls the history of the Parisian and allows visitors to go on a timeless journey […]

Choose which of the Paris Catacombs entrances is right for you

Choose which of the Paris Catacombs entrances is right for you

Perhaps the most extravagant symbol of royalty in the whole of Europe, the Palace of Versailles was built by King Louis XIV as a symbol of his power. Spread over a vast area of 800 hectares, it offers its visitors a glimpse into the powerful world of French Monarchy. Originally built to be a hunting […]

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What our guests say

Xavier S

France
Couple
Last week

+5 more

A surprising visit, but not at all morbid :) A solemn tribute to the past, brought to life through visuals and audio. Definitely worth a visit, even with kids.

Paris Catacombs Reserved Access Tickets

Caroline W

Australia
Couple
Last week
Entry to the Catacombs was quite smooth and efficient. Once inside it was amazing, well planned and well worth a visit.

Paris Catacombs Reserved Access Tickets

Natalie R

Canada
Couple
Last week
Our guide Amber was amazing and we loved the tour! She was so interesting and made the experience even better! Excellent day In Paris 😊

Paris Catacombs English Guided Tour

Regina R

United States
Group
Last week
Our guide Michelle was so wonderful. We learned so much, our small group had such a great feel. I was so excited about this tour and it did not disappoint .

Paris Catacombs English Guided Tour

Anya F

United Kingdom
Couple
Last week
The Catacombs were incredible, an absolute must see. The boat tour was interesting enough! Our boat wasn't too crowded and the information was interesting, the automatic settings didn't quite work so we had to figure out when to press next ourselves most of the time but it was perfectly fine overall :) We went for an earlier slot- around 12 for the river cruise, and then much later for the catacombs at 5!

Combo: Catacombs Tickets + Seine River Cruise

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