Paris Catacombs: Skip-The-Line Ticket + Audio Guide
About This Tour
- Cancellation policy: possible to cancel until 23:59 the day before you visit
- Skip the ticket lines
- Audio guide included: Spanish, English, French or German
- Ticket provided by Tiqets
Highlights
- Go underground and experience a 1.5 kilometer circuit, constructed way back in 1786
- See the nearly organized skeletons of six million former Parisians as you explore one of the world’s largest and one of only a handful ossuary located underground
- Discover this unique experience to visit another aspect of The city of Lights and learn about its 18th-century history with the fascinating audio guide
FULL DESCRIPTION
Take an underground tour of Paris’s grisly mass graveyard, where the bones of a staggering six million human remains are on macabre display. Wandering these corridors is a fantastically eerie experience, and you’ll learn all about life (and death) in 18th-century Paris with the multilingual audio guide. Discover the dark side of Paris! In the late 1700s, Paris had a serious problem. Its inner-city graveyards were literally overflowing, causing nasty epidemics and annoying people who didn’t like stepping over decomposing corpses on the way to buy baguettes... Read more
Take an underground tour of Paris’s grisly mass graveyard, where the bones of a staggering six million human remains are on macabre display. Wandering these corridors is a fantastically eerie experience, and you’ll learn all about life (and death) in 18th-century Paris with the multilingual audio guide. Discover the dark side of Paris! In the late 1700s, Paris had a serious problem. Its inner-city graveyards were literally overflowing, causing nasty epidemics and annoying people who didn’t like stepping over decomposing corpses on the way to buy baguettes.
After an unfortunate incident whereby the Cimetière des Innocents literally exploded into someone’s basement, something had to be done. Under the cover of darkness, workers carried human remains from every graveyard in Paris to the Tombe-Issoire quarry. Today, over six million human remains are laid to rest there in relative peace. To put that in perspective, that’s almost three times the current population of Paris!
Now, you can get to the heart of the mortified action and explore the skull-stacked corridors at your own pace. And with a multi-language audio guide, you can learn all about this secret slice of Parisian history.
Insider information! When bodies were transferred from Holy Innocents’ Cemetery in 1787, many had decomposed so much they were essentially large deposits of fat. This fat was collected and turned into soap and candles. How’s that for a commitment to recycling?!
Included
- Pre-booked ticket for the Paris Catacombs
- Audio guide (Spanish, English, French or German)
Availability
Know Before you go
- Please download your ticket before your visit to make sure it is accessible offline
- You will have to climb down and back up 130 steps and walk about 2 km underground during this tour
- There are no elevators, bathrooms, or lockers
- Bring warm clothing
- On the day of your visit, please show your Tiqets’ smartphone ticket at the entrance.
- Make sure to be on time for your chosen timeslot
- Please note: Food, drinks, luggage, strollers, and motorcycle helmets are not allowed inside
FEATURED REVIEW(S)
4.7/5 stars – based on 1006 reviews
Great tour, fascinating atmosphere, good info from audio guide, not too many people, mostly quiet, great place to hide from city’s noise.
Very insightful and different experience! Long walk on uneven terrain, but the catacombs are definitely worth it!
The history behind the catacombs is really interesting and the size of the exhibit is amazing. I would encourage the curious to take the tour.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Am I allowed to take my bag inside? To ensure safety and preservation of the ossuary, suitcases and large bags are not allowed in the Catacombs. Only bags measuring less than 40×30 cm are allowed.
Is there a lot of stairs? Not a lot, but there are 131 steps to go down and 112 steps to climb up.
Can everyone enter the Catacombs? The site is not recommended for the motor disabled, pregnant women, individuals suffering from claustrophobia or cardiac or respiratory insufficiency, sensitive individuals who may be disturbed by the site. The atmosphere may be anxiogenic for individuals with mental disabilities.
What are the Catacombs of Paris? The Catacombs are underground ossuaries in Paris, France, which house the remains of over six million people. They were created in the late 18th century as a solution to the city’s overflowing cemeteries.
Why were the Catacombs created? The Catacombs were established to address public health concerns caused by overcrowded cemeteries. Bodies from Parisian cemeteries were transferred to the tunnels of abandoned limestone quarries.
Where are the Catacombs located? The Catacombs are located in the 14th arrondissement of Paris, with the entrance at Place Denfert-Rochereau.
How can I visit the Catacombs? Visitors can access the Catacombs through guided tours or independently during public opening hours. It’s recommended to book tickets in advance due to limited capacity and high demand.
Is it safe to visit the Catacombs? Yes, the sections open to the public are safe and maintained. However, visitors should be cautious of low ceilings, uneven ground, and the cool, damp environment.
How long does a visit to the Catacombs take? A typical visit takes about 45 minutes to an hour. The tour covers approximately 1.5 kilometers of tunnels.
Are there any restrictions or rules for visiting the Catacombs? Yes, visitors should follow rules such as not touching the bones, not bringing large bags, and staying with their group. Photography is allowed, but flash and tripods are prohibited.
Are the Catacombs haunted? The Catacombs have a reputation for being eerie and some visitors report feeling uneasy. However, there are no official reports of hauntings.
What are some of the notable features of the Catacombs? The Catacombs include various plaques and signs indicating the origins of the bones and the dates of transfer. Some sections feature intricate bone arrangements and sculptures.
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