Discover the Paris Catacombs with Expert-led Guided Tours

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Small group of tourists exploring the Paris Catacombs on a guided tour, walking through the eerie, dimly lit tunnels filled with skulls and bones
Tourists walking through dimly lit tunnels of Paris Catacombs, surrounded by skulls and bones.
Small group of tourists exploring Paris Catacombs with a guide, unique underground tour experience in France
Small group of tourists exploring the Paris Catacombs on a guided tour, walking through the eerie, dimly lit tunnels lined with skulls and bones
Corridor in Paris Catacombs with skull-lined walls during small group guided tour.
Tourists with a guide exploring the Paris Catacombs, unique underground tour in France.
Information board in Paris Catacombs during small group guided tour with special access.
Tourists in Paris Catacombs guided tour, walking through tunnels with skulls and bones.
Visitors exploring the Paris Catacombs with a guide, showcasing special access areas.
Skulls lining the walls in the Paris Catacombs during a small group guided tour with special access.
Small group of tourists exploring the Paris Catacombs on a guided tour, walking through the eerie, dimly lit tunnels filled with skulls and bones
Tourists walking through dimly lit tunnels of Paris Catacombs, surrounded by skulls and bones.
Small group of tourists exploring Paris Catacombs with a guide, unique underground tour experience in France
Small group of tourists exploring the Paris Catacombs on a guided tour, walking through the eerie, dimly lit tunnels lined with skulls and bones
Corridor in Paris Catacombs with skull-lined walls during small group guided tour.
Tourists with a guide exploring the Paris Catacombs, unique underground tour in France.
Information board in Paris Catacombs during small group guided tour with special access.
Tourists in Paris Catacombs guided tour, walking through tunnels with skulls and bones.
Visitors exploring the Paris Catacombs with a guide, showcasing special access areas.
Skulls lining the walls in the Paris Catacombs during a small group guided tour with special access.
Small group of tourists exploring the Paris Catacombs on a guided tour, walking through the eerie, dimly lit tunnels filled with skulls and bones
Tourists walking through dimly lit tunnels of Paris Catacombs, surrounded by skulls and bones.
Small group of tourists exploring Paris Catacombs with a guide, unique underground tour experience in France
Small group of tourists exploring the Paris Catacombs on a guided tour, walking through the eerie, dimly lit tunnels lined with skulls and bones
Corridor in Paris Catacombs with skull-lined walls during small group guided tour.
Tourists with a guide exploring the Paris Catacombs, unique underground tour in France.
Information board in Paris Catacombs during small group guided tour with special access.
Tourists in Paris Catacombs guided tour, walking through tunnels with skulls and bones.
Visitors exploring the Paris Catacombs with a guide, showcasing special access areas.
Skulls lining the walls in the Paris Catacombs during a small group guided tour with special access.
Guided Tours
4.3(236)

Paris Catacombs Guided Tour

from
€79
Instant confirmation
Mobile ticket
2 hr.
Audio guide

Guided tour of Paris Catacombs with access to special areas.

  • Book timed entry tickets for a 1.5-hour guided tour of Paris Catacombs, an underground labyrinth of tunnels covering an area of almost 2,000 acres (about 1,500 football fields).
  • An expert English-speaking guide will share incredible stories of this iconic Parisian landmark that started as a quarry and slowly turned into an ossuary.
  • Included is exclusive access to restricted areas in the Catacombs, such as the Port Mahon Gallery and a secret chapel adorned with bones. Also, learn intriguing tales of those who worked, visited and have been laid to rest here over the centuries.
  • The guided tour is limited to 19 people, making the experience private.

Guided tour of Paris Catacombs with access to special areas.

  • Book timed entry tickets for a 1.5-hour guided tour of Paris Catacombs, an underground labyrinth of tunnels covering an area of almost 2,000 acres (about 1,500 football fields).
  • An expert English-speaking guide will share incredible stories of this iconic Parisian landmark that started as a quarry and slowly turned into an ossuary.
  • Included is exclusive access to restricted areas in the Catacombs, such as the Port Mahon Gallery and a secret chapel adorned with bones. Also, learn intriguing tales of those who worked, visited and have been laid to rest here over the centuries.
  • The guided tour is limited to 19 people, making the experience private.

Inclusions

Paris Catacombs

  • Timed-entry ticket to Catacombs
  • Audio guide in French, English, German, or Spanish

Seine River Cruise

  • 1-hour Seine River cruise
  • Audio guide in French, English, Hindi, Arabic, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Polish, Dutch, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean

Paris Catacombs

  • Carry a jacket, since the temperature underground remains at a constant 14°C.
  • Wear comfortable shoes: the pathway is uneven and slippery.
  • Suitcases, large bags, strollers, and motorcycle helmets are not allowed.
  • Smoking, drinking, and eating inside is strictly prohibited.
  • Camera tripods and pets are not allowed.
  • The visit is not recommended for wheelchair users and individuals with cardiac or respiratory concerns.
  • Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.
  • Sight-disabled visitors must be accompanied; guide dogs and white canes are allowed.
  • Touching the bones and works is now allowed.
  • If you prefer it, you can carry your earphones.

Seine River Cruise

  • Carry a pair of binoculars to get a closer look at all the landmarks you sail past.
  • Large bags and suitcases are not allowed on board.
  • These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

Paris Catacombs guided tours...

✔️ Grant access to restricted areas

A guided tour unlocks exclusive access to sections of the Catacombs closed to the general public, including a chapel filled with bones.

✔️ Are led by expert guides

Your tour is led by an expert English-speaking guide who brings the Catacomb’s history to life, sharing intriguing facts, legends, and insights.

✔️ Are small group tours

With a group size limited to 19 people, the experience is more intimate. Small groups allow for better interaction with your guide and a quieter atmosphere underground.

Discover the Catacombs with expert-led guided tours

Step into the eerie depths (20 meters) of the Paris Catacombs with our expert-led guided tours, offering exclusive access to areas restricted to the general public. Beneath the bustling streets of Paris lies a labyrinth of tunnels holding centuries of history and the remains of over six million people (some as old as 1200 years).

The small-group tours (maximum 19 people) ensure an intimate and immersive experience, with expert guides sharing captivating stories, historical insights, and hidden details about this fascinating underground world. Uncover the secrets of the Catacombs, from the intricate bone arrangements to the compelling tales of its creation.

Whether you're a history buff or a curious traveler, the tours promise an unforgettable journey into the heart of Paris’ mysterious underworld.

Read more about the Catacombs here

Highlights of a Paris Catacomb guided tour

Access to restricted areas

Guided tours unlock secret sections of the Catacombs which are not accessible on general visits. These include the Sacellum Crypt, featuring rare bone arrangements and inscriptions, and the Port-Mahon corridor, where François Décure’s sculptures can be admired up close, hidden altars and ossuary chambers.

Port-Mahon corridor

This corridor displays sculptures by François Décure, a quarryman who carved a replica of the Port-Mahon fortress entirely from memory. He spent five years, in secrecy, carving out these sculptures using simple quarrymen tools and working under torchlight. He was crushed in a cave-in at the same spot while carving a stairway to access his sculptures, from the streets above.

The quarryman’s footpath

Reminiscent of a wishing well, quarrymen used this walkway to access water for cement mixing and to wash up after work. The pathway leads to one of the most interesting sections of the Catacombs, filled with skull displays, inscriptions, graves, and chapels commemorating the dead.

The Ossuary

This section comes right after the exhibition area and is one of the interesting sections of the Catacombs. It contains the bones of over 6 million Parisians, arranged in various patterns, the most popular being–the Barrel of Passion. A welcome sign at the entrance prepares you for the ossuary–Arrête! C’est ici l’empire de la Mort which translates to “Stop! This is the Empire of the Dead”.

Frequently asked questions about Paris Catacombs guided tours

Why should I choose a guided tour over an audio tour of the Paris Catacombs?

A guided tour provides access to restricted areas, interactive Q&A opportunities, and shares stories and historical details not included in audio guides, making it a richer experience. Although, audio guides do allow you the flexibility to explore at your desired pace.

Are there exclusive areas of the Catacombs that are only accessible with a guided tour?

Yes, guided tours include access to restricted sections of the Catacombs that are unavailable to general visitors, such as the Sacellum Crypt, the Grotte des Sépultures, and hidden galleries.

Do guided tours of the Catacombs have smaller group sizes compared to general entry?

Yes, guided tours are limited to 19 people, offering a more personalized and intimate experience.

Are guided tours of the Catacombs available in multiple languages?

Currently, guided tours are available only in English.

Can children join a guided tour of the Catacombs?

Yes, children can join since there are no age restrictions. However, parental discretion is highly recommended; the eerie atmosphere of the Catacombs can be harsh on a child.

Is photography allowed during a guided tour?

Yes, photography is allowed, but flash and tripods are typically prohibited.

Are guided tours suitable for people with mobility challenges?

The Catacombs are not wheelchair-accessible due to steep stairs and narrow tunnels, making them challenging for visitors with mobility issues.

What’s the difference in cost between a guided tour and a standard entry ticket?

Guided tours are more expensive (almost double) than audio guide tickets because they include expert insights and exclusive access to restricted areas.
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