Catacombs of Paris
Rated 4.1 out of 5 Read Reviews
Inspite of being somewhat morbid, the Catacombs are a burial plot with a rich and fascinating history and draw crowds of visitors year round

The Catacombs of France is a tourist attraction for those who like to add a little spookiness to their vacation activities. The catacombs are literally a burial plot of astronomic proportions. However, they are a burial plot with a rich and fascinating history.
Before Christianity came along, it was common practice to bury the dead outside the city walls. Christianity dictated that the dead should be buried in consecrated ground around churches and this time it was difficult to do so since the areas around the churches were already well built up and there was no space to put in large cemeteries. Those that were available soon became overcrowded and a mass burial plot was opened near the St. Opportune church. This burial plot caused a lot of sanitation problems but was still used even when the ground was saturated with human remains.
Eventually the inner city cemeteries were closed and new ones were opened outside the city limits. Even the long abandoned stone quarries outside the city were pressed into use as burial places. The transfer of the dead to these quarries started in 1786 and finished in 1788. The catacombs hold the remains of around six million people. Land was bought from a local property named "La maison de la Tombe Issoire" and many sets of bones were deposited in the underground caverns in this area along with crosses and urns and other memorabilia.
When you visit the catacombs you will travel down a staircase and then through a long tunnel to find yourself faced with a stone portal inscribed with the words Arrete! C'est ici l'empire de la Mort ('Halt! This is the Empire of the Dead'). It is beyond this stone portal that the tour truly begins. There are halls and walls of carefully arranged bones. Some of the bone arrangements are actually really artistic although they are macabre.
If you plan to visit the Catacombs then you will need to know that the site limits visitors to 200 at one time. There are also no toilets or cloakrooms and it is also good to keep in mind that it will be cooler in the underground passages. It is vital that children who are younger than 14 years of age are accompanied by at least one adult and the parents of young children are advised against bringing their children into the catacombs. If you are not very mobile then you may also want to consider other activities as there are many steps to go up and down. You do not need much time for the actual tour as it is only 2km long (around 45 min) but the queues can get rather long and entries can be stopped to ensure the 200 visitor limit is adhered to.
Nearby attractions: Rue Mouffetard Market
Facts For Your Visit
Fee: YesCatacombs of Paris Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday: 9:45 AM – 8:30 PM
- Wednesday: 9:45 AM – 8:30 PM
- Thursday: 9:45 AM – 8:30 PM
- Friday: 9:45 AM – 8:30 PM
- Saturday: 9:45 AM – 8:30 PM
- Sunday: 9:45 AM – 8:30 PM
Address: 1 Av. du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy, 75014 Paris, France
Official Website: Catacombs of Paris
Catacombs of Paris Reviews
Rated
Amazing history!
Very sad looking at most of these skulls, considering the size... looks like many children.
They provided a small recording device (kind of like a smart phone) that gives information on the area's you walk through.
I'm shocked you can walk through it as you do, but I'm sure there are plenty of cameras to keep people from taking things, but maybe people in general don't want to desecrate the dead.
There's graffiti throughout, but luckily, no one tagged the bones.
If you get there early, they will advise you to wait elsewhere (can only arrive 5 minutes early).
It's definitely a cool thing to check out if you're visiting!
Nicholas Garber - a week ago
This audio guided tour takes you through a fascinating part of French history. Seeing the meticulous care taken to turn a mass grave into a respectful resting place is mind blowing to comprehend how this all came together. The space is definitely not for people who are claustrophobic, but if you can withstand small dark places it is an amazing site. Note there are a lot of stairs and a long walk through narrow tunnels to get to the actual rooms.
Timothy Carmon - 3 months ago
Just did this tour and absolutely loved it! I can’t believe that after 5 trips to Paris, this was my first time!
It is an absolute must!!!! The tour lasts about 1 hour and you can go at your own pace once inside!
You are given an audio guide that is used like a phone and throughout the catacombs you can tune in to hear different amazing facts about what you are seeing.
If you have a disability that prevents you from walking or are claustrophobic this might not be the one for you!
I recommend booking your tickets in advance, as when we were there all the tours were sold out!
Chris Rodriguez - 2 months ago
I was very eager to get to visit the place. And it did did provide me with a very good experience. First thing first - there is no need to pe absolutely precise for the ticket hour. Our was for 10:45, we went there at 10:30 and we were able to get in. The Catacombs have a 200 people capacity and when reached you will need to wait. Second it is free for journalist. You need to provide a valid Press card and you will be admitted. Third - do not bring backpack of any kind. There are no storage rooms, the entrance is one kilometer away from the exit. The space is narrow and at some point you will have to wear your backpack in front, so taking photos with camera will be hard. Also there is an audio guide that is very interesting. Also the souvenir shop is very cool. A lot of books and other cool souvenirs to buy. I do recommend.
PS the tickets are named, but none is looking for this. If you by mistake buy a ticket for another day, as it will show you the next available time in the site, and not the day you want, you can sell it without any issues. I've bought a ticket for a friend and was with my name on it, so no worries.
Denislav Kandev - 3 months ago
A city beneath a city. This underground network is filled with tunnels and chambers. The tunnels get really narrow in sections, so it helps to carry your backpack on your front. The bones are artfully arranged in this chilling memorial. The catacombs were originally created to solve overcrowding in cemeteries. Originally these tunnels were limestone quarries. The passages are dimly lit and the stillness of the tunnels create an otherworldly experience. Then there are the legends of secret gatherings. Beyond the macabre, the catacombs invite visitors to reflect on mortality, and the passage of time. There are poetic inscriptions etched on the walls. Scientists like Antoine Lavoisier, the father of modern Chemistry may also rest here. Visiting this place was like stepping into a time capsule.
bartika dutta - a month ago
Directions
Metro / RER Line | Nearest Station | Walking Time |
---|---|---|
M4, M6, RER-B | Denfert-Rochereau | 1 minute |
How to get to Catacombs of Paris by Metro / RER
By Metro or RER: exit at Denfert-Rochereau Station and look for the small green building (and probably a queue) directly across the street from the station.
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Photo Gallery
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There are over 7 million of these buried in the Catacombs of Paris cc licensed photo by CHRISTOPHER MACSURAK -
Photo Credit: HarshLight - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: HarshLight - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: HarshLight - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: HarshLight - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: HarshLight - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: HarshLight - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: HarshLight - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: HarshLight - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: HarshLight - cc license via Flickr