Paris Catacombs (Catacombes de Paris)

Paris Catacombs tours take you 135 feet (20 meters) below ground to explore this subterranean world of skeletal remains. You’ll cover just under one mile (1.5 km), which takes about 45 minutes. The catacombs aren’t usually part of standard city tours, so they’re often experienced on a standalone tour. Book a skip-the-line ticket to bypass the queue, or make your sightseeing even easier by selecting combo admission to both the catacombs and the Eiffel Tower.

• Buy Paris Catacombs tickets in advance to avoid waiting in a long line; visitors are limited to 200 at a time.

• You may want to bring a layer, as the temperature is 57° F (14° C) in the catacombs.

• There is no cloakroom, so bring only what you want to carry with you.

• Wear comfortable walking shoes—you’ll go down 130 steps and up 83 steps to return to street level.

• The catacombs tour is not for everyone—you will be underground and see human bones, so it's not recommended for those with sensitive disposition or young children.

• Tite is not accessible for those with limited mobility, and is not recommended for those with heart or respiratory problems.

The catacombs are located in Paris' 14th arrondissement. The Denfert-Rochereau metro and RER station puts you right by the entrance on Avenue du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy.

The catacombs are open every day except Mondays and some bank holidays. The experience is the same by day and in the evening, as you’re underground and the lighting is artificial. For fewer crowds, book a morning visit.

This section of Paris is not the city’s most visited, as it’s away from the Seine near the southern edge of the city limits. If you’re making the trip to visit the catacombs, take advantage of being in the 14th to check out other attractions such as the 56th-floor observation deck of Montparnasse Tower or Montparnasse Cemetery, where writers and intellectuals such as Charles Baudelaire, Jean-Paul Sartre, and Simone de Beauvoir are buried.

Yes. It is possible to tour the notable Paris Catacombs, a captivating series of tunnels filled with millions of bones from former Parisians. Estimated to house over 6 million skeletal remains, this ancient cemetery sprawls far beyond regular sight lines, and knowledgeable tour guides are ready to escort both small and large groups.

Yes. The Paris Catacombs truly must be seen in person to be fully appreciated. Within expansive limestone quarries—which were used to tunnel out much of the foundation behind some of Paris’ earliest structures—lies a captivating underground world of skulls, bones, and artifacts from centuries past.

This vast underground network, filled with ancient bones and historical relics, can take anywhere from 2 to 4 hours to experience, depending on your route and how much you choose to explore. Moving through it slowly gives you a chance to discover new surprises, from secret spaces to alcoves off the well-trodden paths.

No. There is no toilet in the Catacombs of Paris, so plan accordingly. It is estimated that 6 to 7 million bodies were laid to rest beneath the city. The collection of ossuaries is more than 200 feet (61 meters) beneath city streets, making it impossible to use a restroom while touring the tunnels.

While you cannot use professional photography equipment, visitors can take pictures with their phone cameras. The catacombs are riddled with fascinating art, sculptures, and tombs allowing plenty of opportunities for personal photography—but not professional. Video recording is also strictly prohibited throughout the tour.

No. It is important to remember that touching or physically interacting with the bones is not allowed. This location contains the resting places of millions of individuals, and visitors should treat them with respect and dignity. Before visiting, research the history of the catacombs so you can make sure to follow appropriate etiquette during your visit.