The Paris Catacombs are hands down one of the city’s weirdest and most fascinating attractions. Hidden beneath the streets of southern Paris is a maze of former stone quarries lined with millions of bones. Nicknamed the Empire of the Dead, this wonderfully eerie underground world has been drawing in curious visitors since it opened in 1809.
The Catacombs have recently had a major makeover, with a smoother visitor route, atmospheric lighting, and historic images that bring the site to life. Whether it’s already at the top of your bucket list or you’re still on the fence about squeezing it into your Paris itinerary, this guide to the Paris Catacombs has everything you need to know before you head underground.
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Image Courtesy of Catacombes de Paris
What are the Paris Catacombs?
In the late 18th century, Paris had a bit of a problem. Its cemeteries were overflowing and were becoming a serious health hazard. The city also couldn’t expand south, because the land was like Swiss cheese because of the empty quarry tunnels. The solution? Move all those bones (and there are six million of them!) into the tunnels, which also made the ground more solid.
The bones weren’t just stacked in the old stone quarry. They arranged skulls and femurs into kinda quirky decorative patterns and inscriptions showing where the remains came from, and other cool features were also added. The result was the haunting, yet also beautiful, displays you’ll see today.
Only a tiny slice of the roughly 300 kilometres (186 miles) of tunnels beneath Paris is open to visitors. The public route stretches for about 1.5 kilometres (just under a mile), around 20 metres (65 feet) below street level, following a one-way path through the ossuary.
The rest of the network remains off-limits, although that hasn’t stopped generations of adventurous (and very illegal) urban explorers from trying to sneak in. These crafty “visitors” are known as cataphiles, but I definitely recommend sticking to the official route!
Image Courtesy of Catacombes de Paris
Should you include the Paris Catacombs in your trip itinerary?
The Catacombs can also be a fun thing to do in Paris with kids who like adventure and mystery. I recently went with my 10 and 13-year-old nephews, and they were really into it, while visiting the Louvre or other classic historic sites wasn’t their cup of tea.
That said, it’s definitely not for everyone. Some things to keep in mind:
- Be prepared for a bit of a workout: There’s no elevator, so you have to take 131 steps down and 112 steps up to visit it.
- It’s not a pop-in attraction: between the visit itself (45–60 minutes) and getting through security, you have to budget at least an hour, and more if you join a guided tour.
- Are you comfortable underground? The tunnels are narrow, dimly lit, and can feel pretty tight in certain spots, so the Catacombs aren’t recommended if you have claustrophobia, certain respiratory conditions, or are pregnant. Children under 14 are welcome, but they, of course, must have an adult with them.
If none of that puts you off, I’d definitely try to fit the Catacombs into your Paris itinerary. Just maybe plan something a little more cheerful afterward, you’ll probably be ready for a sunny café terrace or a stroll around a garden once you’ve spent an hour surrounded by six million skeletons.
And the Catacombs are included on Day 2 of our Paris Itinerary with a few cheerier options nearby.
Where are the Paris Catacombs located?
The Catacombs are on the Left Bank in the 14th arrondissement. The exact address of the entrance is 1 Avenue du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy, 75014 Paris, which is in Place Denfert-Rochereau.
The closest métro station is Denfert-Rochereau, served by Metro lines 4 and 6, and RER B, making it pretty easy to reach from central Paris.
Just a heads up that the exit is in a different location, about 700 meters away, at 21 bis Avenue René-Coty. So you won’t come out where you went in.
Image Courtesy of Catacombes de Paris
When are the Paris Catacombs open?
The Catacombs actually have pretty good opening hours compared to some of Paris’s other sites. They’re open Tuesday through Sunday, 9:45 AM to 8:30 PM, with last admission at 7:30 PM.
They’re closed on Mondays, as well as a few public holidays (January 1, May 1, and December 25).
Image Courtesy of Catacombes de Paris
What’s the best time to visit the Paris Catacombs?
If you’d rather not shuffle through the tunnels shoulder-to-shoulder with other visitors, timing is everything. The quietest slots are usually the first and last of the day, as most people book for mid-morning through mid-afternoon. Aim for the first entry at 9:45 AM or one of the final slots around 7 PM for a calmer, more atmospheric visit.
The Catacombs are busiest from May through September and during school holidays. If your dates are flexible, you’ll have a much easier time booking your preferred slot by visiting in the off-season or just choosing a weekday.
One thing you don’t need to worry about is the weather. Down in the tunnels, it’s a steady 14°C (57°F) all year long. Whether Paris is sweltering or freezing above ground, it’ll feel the same below, so I suggest you bring a light sweater or jacket, even in the middle of summer.
Image Courtesy of Catacombes de Paris
What entrance tickets do you need for the Paris Catacombs?
Because the Catacombs limit visitor numbers to manage the fragile site, tickets are timed-entry and should be booked in advance. Walk-up availability is next to impossible, especially in high season.
Here’s the official 2026 pricing:
- Full rate: €31 (audio guide included)
- Reduced rate: €25 (audio guide included), for students under 26, and certain other categories with a valid ID.
- Children ages 8–17: €15
- Children under 8: free (€5 – audio guide)
There are a few other practical things you should know about ticketing:
- Tickets are released online 7 days in advance and are capped at 5 per order.
- They’re strictly timed and generally non-refundable or exchangeable, so only book once your plans are firm.
- The Paris Museum Pass is not accepted. You’ll need a separate ticket regardless of what other attractions or museum passes you’re carrying.
- Free-rate tickets can’t be purchased online in advance. Free entrance tickets for kids under 8 (and a few other types of visitors like journalists, ICOM card-holders, teachers) are issued at the front desk on the day, with proof of eligibility (like a copy of your kid’s passport). But don’t worry about getting in or not, if you fit one of the categories, you’ll be fine walking up.
If the official site is sold out for your dates, joining a tour (more on these below) is a great option, and they always include skip-the-lines Catacomb tickets.
Image Courtesy of Catacombes de Paris
Can visitors with mobility difficulties visit the Paris Catacombs?
Unfortunately, the Catacombs are not wheelchair accessible, and since the site is fragile, they aren’t able to add an elevator or create an alternative accessible route. To visit, you’ll need to descend 131 steps, walk through narrow passages with occasionally uneven or slippery floors, and then climb another 112 steps back to street level.
Because of this, I wouldn’t recommend this for anyone with mobility limitations. Strollers also aren’t allowed inside, so if you’re visiting with a baby or toddler, you’ll need to bring a baby carrier instead.
Image Courtesy of WalksDevour
Best guided tour of the Paris Catacombs
Every visitor receives an audio guide with their ticket, which does a great job explaining the site’s history. But if you want to take your visit to the next level, I’d highly recommend joining this amazing small-group tour.
Not only does it include skip-the-line entry, but it also unlocks parts of the Catacombs that are normally closed to the public. Your guide literally has the keys to hidden sections, including an underground chapel, a fortress, and the quarryman’s final workshop. These fascinating spaces are just metres from the public route, yet most visitors never even realize they exist. It’s pretty cool and actually one of the few special access experiences in Paris.
Other things to know about the Paris Catacombs
Since the Catacombs aren’t a classic museum or site, there are some important things you should keep in mind before you head down there:
- Bathrooms are available, but only at the exit: there are none inside the tunnels or at the entrance, so if you think you need to go beforehand, you might need to grab a coffee at a nearby café.
- There’s a gift shop: This is located at the exit and it actually sells some pretty cool Catacombs-themed souvenirs.
- The exit is a different location from the entrance: It’s about 700 meters away, so if you’re meeting someone or have arranged transport, tell them to wait near Avenue René-Coty, not Place Denfert-Rochereau.
- There isn’t a cloakroom or luggage storage: You can only bring small bags (up to roughly 40×30×20 cm) that should be carried by hand or in front of your body. So leave suitcases and large backpacks at your hotel or use one of these handy storage facilities.
- There are some rules about taking photos: Pictures for personal, non-commercial use are allowed, but tripods and bulky equipment aren’t.
- You can’t eat or drink inside: Don’t pick up a takeaway coffee on your way.
- Touching the bones or surfaces is strictly forbidden: So even if you’re tempted, try to have some self-control.
- Arrive 15 minutes early: this is so you can clear security before your timed slot. Latecomers can be turned away, but if you’re a few minutes late, you should be fine.
- Dress in layers: At 14°C/57°F, it’s pretty chilly down, even on a hot summer day.
And lastly, don’t forget to book ahead, wear comfortable shoes, and you’ll have an incredible and unforgettable time.
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