Paris Catacombs: The mysterious underground cemetery

Hidden beneath Paris’s lively streets lies a haunting labyrinth where the remains of six million Parisians rest—the Catacombs. If exploring this eerie, historic underground world where skulls form artistic patterns intrigues you, then booking your Paris Catacombs tickets is the first step toward a truly macabre adventure!

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about ticket options, opening hours, what to expect while visiting, and more for a seamless experience at the Catacombs.

Things to know before booking your tickets

Tickets to the Catacombs are timed, requiring you to select an available time slot for your visit. While this system reduces crowding, expect potential delays of up to 2–3 hours during peak seasons due to security checks or early arrivals.

Tickets must be booked online, as they are not sold at the venue. With a limit of only 200 visitors allowed inside at any time, booking at least 7 days in advance is highly recommended, especially during summer or other busy periods when last-minute tickets are rarely available

For those looking to delve deeper into the Catacombs' history, a guided tour is an excellent option. These tours provide expert insights from a local English-speaking guide and grant access to special areas that are off-limits to general visitors.

If you prefer to explore at your own pace, choose the self-guided audio tour. Available in multiple languages, the 30-minute narration can be paused and resumed at your convenience.

The Catacombs are located 65 feet underground and require navigating 131 steps down and 112 steps up. Visitors will walk a 1.5-kilometer trail through narrow, dimly lit, and slippery tunnels. The experience is unsuitable for wheelchair users and for visitors with limited mobility, respiratory issues, or claustrophobia.

Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult. The eerie atmosphere of the Catacombs may be unsettling for young children, so discretion is advised for families.

Note: Public tours cover a 1.5-kilometer section of the Catacombs. For your safety and to preserve the site, venturing into unauthorized areas is strictly prohibited.

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The entry sign

Your visit begins with the iconic entry sign etched with the haunting inscription "Arrête! C’est ici l’empire de la Mort," ("Stop! This is the Empire of the Dead"). The chilling words mark the transition from the lively streets of Paris to the solemn depths of the Catacombs, setting the tone for the eerie exploration that awaits.

Frequently Asked Questions about Paris Catacombs tickets

How much in advance do I need to book tickets to Paris Catacombs?

Tickets to Paris Catacombs can sell out quickly, especially during the Summer. Booking them in advance (at least 7 days in advance) ensures that you have a timeslot prebooked for your visit, rather than waiting your turn to go in.

Can I buy tickets at the entrance, or is it online booking only?

Online booking is a sure-shot way to reserve an entry slot to the Catacombs. Owing to the number of people (200) that are allowed entry at any given point in time, last-minute tickets are not sold on-site.

Are there skip-the-line or fast-track ticket options available?

No, they are not. The only ticket type is a timed entry, although you might still need to wait.

How many visitors are permitted inside at a time?

At any given time only 200 people are allowed to be inside the Paris Catacombs. The current number of people inside is tracked with a digital counter mounted on the wall above the entrance.

Is there a guided tour option available, or is the visit self-guided?

Both options are available with differential pricing and experience. While a self-guided visit gives you the flexibility to tour at your own pace, a guided tour allows access to special areas within the Catacombs that are otherwise inaccessible to the public.

How many people are allowed on a guided group tour?

To keep the experience private, a guided tour is limited to a maximum of up to 19 people per group. This allows for better interaction between the guide and the group.

Are there any age restrictions?

The only restriction in place is that children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult; visiting is at the parents' discretion. There is a chance that younger kids might find the space to be "creepy" since it's filled with real skulls and bones. But this visit is a great learning opportunity for them too.

What are the most interesting things to look out for inside the Catacombs?

Starting with the eerie sign that greets you at the entrance that reads, “Arrête, c’est ici l’empire de la mort." which translates to “Stop, this is death’s empire, there are many others. Look out for Parisian street signs, The Well, rendering of Citadel de Mahon, The Barrel, and the Samaritan fountain.

Why can I only access a limited portion of the Catacombs?

The Catacombs are not fully explored and mapped, which is why only a limited portion is accessible and with a guide.

Millions love heading out with us

Laurie

Nov, 2024

The audioguide was very good and informative, the experience of walking through the catacombs was sobering and affecting. The only trouble we had was in downloading our tickets, because we had slow WiFi, but when the young attendant at the catacombs helped us use the fast WiFi there, the problem was resolved.

Paris Catacombs Timed Entry with Audio guide

Stephan

Oct, 2024

We had booked the tickets online before our vacation. Everything went smoothly at the entrance to the catacombs. We were super happy! The catacombs are well worth seeing and there is enough space inside, although I suffer from claustrophobia.

View original review in German

Christina

Dec, 2024

We toured the Paris Catacombs with tour guide Jonny on Christmas Eve. He was so much fun to talk to and gave us information in a way that made it so very interesting and easy to follow despite our fatigue from flying into France that morning.

Paris Catacombs Skip-the-Line Guided Tour with Access to Special Areas

Brittany

United States

May, 2024

Totally worth the extra money for the private tour. The guide was very informative and patient. I was very impressed with her English! Highly recommend!!

Jaime

Jul, 2018

The glitzy city of Paris has a whole network of underground tunnels that hide bones and its dark secrets! Thrilling indeed!

Paris Catacombs: Small Group Priority Access Guided Tour

Erica

Jun, 2018

Believe it or not, the priority access guided tour really helps. There's a surplus of crowd during this season and this pass helps avoid all of it.

Jessica

Our guide, Remy was top notch! He was friendly and welcoming, shared a wealth of knowledge during our tour and graciously answered all of our questions. He kept the pace moving fluidly, and there was enough time in each spot through the tour. I would book any tour Remy hosted! Thanks for an excellent experience!

Catacombs Guided Tour with Special Access

Natalia

Spain

Feb, 2023

Tour guide Justin made everything extremely interesting and enjoyable, she has answers to all our questions. Extremely recommend

Christel

Be sure to order your tickets early! We booked the night before and found ourselves at the catacombs without valid tickets. After contacting an employee (keep calling!) we got the correct tickets in the mail. That was a bit stressful but otherwise top!

View original review in Dutch

Combo: Catacombs Tickets + Seine River Cruise

Leslie

Liked the self guided tour and how accommodating the staff at the boat tour were in helping my elderly father. They were very kind