Guided Tours

Paris Catacombs Skip-the-Line Guided Tour with Access to Special Areas

Paris Catacombs corridor lined with skulls and bones.

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.

Duration

2 hrs

Open today

9:45am - 8:30pm

Book now, pay later

Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.

Guided tour

Skip the long lines and descend 20 meters underground into the complex network of ancient burial grounds. Get exclusive access to areas of the Catacombs not open to the rest of the public on this guided tour.

4.5/5(500)

Douglas E

Couple

Verified booking

2 weeks ago

It was amazing! The Chapel was my favourite area, and learning about the history of collapses and development of the catacombs was something I had wanted to do for many years. The engineer who perished while reinforcing a section that collapsed on him, and having special access to see that area preserved in his memory was especially touching. The only criticism that I have is that I felt the lighting was too bright for the ambience of the environment. Thank you very much for a great experience, it exceeded my expectations!

Rebecca H

Solo

Verified booking

Last week

Johnny was an absolutely amazing guide! He brought everything to life (pun intended 😂)!! ....The access to the smaller, private passages--the history, depth and just flat out wow-ness of it all has officially made this one of my most treasured memories of Paris....Merci!!!!

Regina R

Group

Verified booking

May 2026

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 .

Cynthia L

Solo

Verified booking

Apr 2026

It was smaller group of 12 people. We had a quirky but knowlegeable tour guide. Catered to English speakers. one of the best tours I've done in Paris. A bit pricey. High demand for tickets.

Stand out from the crowd with exclusive access to hidden sections, revealing peculiar sculptures made of human remains.

Wave goodbye to long queues with this skip-the-line ticket, propelling you straight into the heart of Paris's underground world as you embark on a guided tour.

Relish in the richness of your tour, enhanced with access to a once-active chapel to stone carvings by a quarryman.

Fun fact: The Catacombs were once a series of abandoned quarries, posing a threat to swallow entire blocks before they were ingeniously repurposed.

Skip-the-line entry to the Catacombs

Expert English-speaking guide

Access to special areas

Group of up to 14 people

These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

500 reviews
How do we collect reviews?
These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.
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Guests from United States, Canada, Australia and over 6 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Douglas E
Couple
Verified booking
2 weeks ago
It was amazing! The Chapel was my favourite area, and learning about the history of collapses and development of the catacombs was something I had wanted to do for many years. The engineer who perished while reinforcing a section that collapsed on him, and having special access to see that area preserved in his memory was especially touching. The only criticism that I have is that I felt the lighting was too bright for the ambience of the environment. Thank you very much for a great experience, it exceeded my expectations!
Rebecca H
Solo
Verified booking
Last week
Johnny was an absolutely amazing guide! He brought everything to life (pun intended 😂)!! ....The access to the smaller, private passages--the history, depth and just flat out wow-ness of it all has officially made this one of my most treasured memories of Paris....Merci!!!!
Mr Jamie H
Couple
Verified booking
Yesterday
Our tour guide igor was great very knowledgeable and funny. Well recommended to do the guided tour as you get to go in areas only VIPs have access to.
Amanda G
Family
Verified booking
Last week
Leo was an amazing tour guide. She clearly loves sharing her extensive knowledge of the catacombs with her guests. Thank you!
Nicole C
Couple
Verified booking
Last week
Very interesting tour with the history well covered by our host Andrei.

A journey beneath the Parisian streets

Immerse yourself in the eerie subterranean world of the Paris Catacombs. With a local English-speaking guide, you'll bypass the lengthy queues that often form around the block and step directly into the vast network of underground tunnels. This labyrinth beneath the city streets is laden with the bones of 6 million souls, forming an 'Empire of the Dead'. As you navigate the corridors, your guide will unveil the audacious plan of city planners who, in the 18th century, decided to empty overflowing cemeteries, relocating the remains to these abandoned quarries, thus averting citywide disaster.

An intriguing exploration of history

The expert tour allows for a unique experience, taking you off the beaten path and behind locked gates to parts of the Catacombs usually off-limits. You'll marvel at sculptures made from human remains step into a secluded chapel once used for religious ceremonies, and discover the stone carvings of a quarryman who sought to stave off boredom before his untimely demise in a rockfall. Alongside your intimate group of just 6 guests, this tour promises to captivate with its blend of history, artistry, and intrigue, making for an unforgettable journey into the heart of Paris's past.

What to bring

It is recommended to wear comfortable sturdy sturdy shoes and bring warm clothing to the Paris Catacombs.

The Catacombs maintain a constant temperature of 14°C (57°F). Be sure to dress warm or bring a jacket. Wear comfortable shoes and casual clothes that you don’t mind getting a little dirty.

What's not allowed

Children aged 14 and under are prohibited from entering the Paris Catacombs without parental accompaniment.

It is prohibited to enter the Catacombs with a suitcase, a large bag, or a motorcycle helmet. Bags no larger than 40x30x20 cm are allowed. They must be carried on the front or held at your side.

Strollers are not allowed into the venue. Please use a baby carrier.

Photography is allowed without the use of tripods or bulky equipment.

Accessibility

The experience is not suitable for people with cardiac or respiratory problems, or suffering from claustrophobia, pregnant women, sensitive individuals, and wheelchair users.

Additional information

This tour is not recommended for children under the age of 5.

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