Paris Catacombs Guided Tour

4.9 (269 reviews) 1 h 30 min Skip the line

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269 reviews

4.9

Guided tour of Catacombs — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Paris Catacombs Guided Tour, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Go below the city streets of Paris to explore the darkest part of the City of Light — the Catacombs. You'll go where other tourists don't have access and learn who's buried in these 200 miles of tunnels.

Explore the underground burial chambers for millions of Parisians who found their way to the Catacombs due to overcrowded cemeteries. You'll walk through corridors piled with bones, carefully and often artistically arranged, preserved for centuries in the ossuaries.

Not only will your expert guide share strange legends about this subterranean underworld, but they'll also give you tips on how to find unique bone configurations and even art. The Paris Catacombs might be macabre and a little bit creepy, but it's an experience you're sure to always remember. Don't forget to end your tour by picking up a souvenir in the Paris Catacombs shop!

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At a glance

Duration: 1 h 30 min
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 19 people
People per booking: 1–15
Guide: English
Operated by: ExperienceFirst

Ages: Infants (0–3 years) · Children (4–11 years) · Adults (12–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Optional upgrade for a narrated Seine river cruise, good for a year from the tour date
Included: A guided descent more than 60 feet underground
Included: Strange legends and stories about the origin of the Catacombs
Included: Visit to the gift shop to pick up a unique souvenir
Included: A historical overview of the different people who are buried in the Paris Catacombs
Included: A local expert who provides tips on how to look at the bones and art

Not included

Not included: Gratuities

Itinerary

The Paris Catacombs

1 h 30 min Admission included

Paris Catacombs Descent

Descend more than 60 feet underground into the historic ossuaries with your guide, including areas that are off limits to other visitors and tours.

The Empire of Death Sign

You’ve been warned to stop as you enter the Empire of Death (“Arrête! C’est ici l’Empire de la Mort”), but your tour guide won’t let you turn back.

Ossuaries

Explore the underground burial chambers for millions of Parisians who found their way to the Catacombs due to overcrowded cemeteries.

Special-access areas

Check out areas of the Paris Catacombs that aren’t open to the general public. These are the most fascinating parts of the 200 miles of tunnels.

Shop Paris Catacombs

After visiting the city’s most unusual must-see attraction, pick up the perfect souvenir to remember this unique experience.
The Seine

Passing by

Optional upgrade: This one-hour river cruise begins and ends at the Eiffel Tower and lets you see Paris in a new way — from the water. You will pass by landmarks like Notre Dame, the Petit Palais, the Musée d'Orsay, the Conciergerie, and more.

Your ticket is good for a one-hour cruise along the Seine anytime within one year of the date of your tour.
Eiffel Tower

Admission not included

Pass by the Eiffel Tower during the optional Seine River cruise upgrade
Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Paris

Pass by the Notre Dame Cathedral during the optional Seine River cruise upgrade
Petit Palais

Passing by

Pass by the Petit Palais during the optional Seine River cruise upgrade
Musee d'Orsay

Admission not included

Pass by the Musée d'Orsay during the optional Seine River cruise upgrade

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

Metro station Denfert Rochereau (line 4 or 6-use exit 1)

Looking at the Catacombs you may see on the left the small green building that was the old main entrance. To the right of this you will see new glass doors with signs for Catacombs Entrance. Your guide will be outside the glass doors entrance.

End point

The exit for Catacombs is several blocks from the starting point. Please ask your guide for directions back if needed.

Using your ticket

Meet in front of the small green building that is the main entrance. Across the street from Metro station Denfert Rochereau (line 4 or 6-use exit 1)

Arrive 15 minutes prior to your tour departure time. If you are late, you will not be able to catch up. The Skip-the-Line ticket only allows the group to enter with the guide. If you miss the group, you will not be allowed to enter.

There is approximately 1 mile of walking. Also, there are approximately 130 steps down and 85 steps back up to street level. This tour is not recommended for people who have mobility issues or anxiety in closed spaces. Please note that the temperatures in the Catacombs are 14 degrees centigrade.

Cancellation

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

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Good to know

Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
There is approximately 1 mile of walking. Also, there are approximately 130 steps down and 85 steps back up to street level. This tour is not recommended for people who have mobility issues or anxiety in closed spaces. Please note that the temperatures in the Catacombs are 14 degrees centigrade.
Add on a Seine river cruise. Your ticket is good for a one-hour cruise along the Seine anytime within one year of the date of your tour.