Catacombs of Paris: How to Visit and What to Expect

“A trip to the Catacombs of Paris is a must on your visit to the French capital. Created in the late 18th century, these underground tunnels pile high with the bones of up to seven million people and were the solution to Paris’s overpopulated cemeteries. Here’s our guide on how to visit the Catacombs of Paris and what to expect.

How to visit
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Only 200 visitors at a time go into the catacombs, which keeps it safe and preserved for future generations. Because of the cap on numbers, it’s good to book priority tickets in advance – you’ll also avoid waiting in line for hours. You can buy priority tickets online, €29 for adults and €5 for children, and that includes an audioguide.

When you arrive, the visitor entrance is at 1, Avenue du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy, 75014 Paris. The closest station is Denfert-Rochereau, on the 4 and 6 Metro lines and the RER B, but you can also get off at Mouton-Duvernet or Saint-Jacques, both a short walk from the Catacombs.

Do bear in mind that there are 131 steps down and 112 steps up, and the Catacombs are not wheelchair accessible. The floor’s surface can be uneven, and it can be humid in the tunnels.

Also be aware that the sight of millions of bones can be overwhelming for children under 10 and anyone with a particularly sensitive disposition.

The Catacombs are closed on Mondays and certain public holidays, but open 10am-8:30pm Tuesday-Sunday.

What to expect
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The Catacombs date back to the late 18th century, when overcrowding in Paris’s cemeteries lead to strong smells and, worse, illness spreading across the city. The authorities decided to empty the cemeteries into underground quarries, a process they started in 1785. The first evacuations cleared Paris’s largest cemetery, Saints-Innocents.

Initially called the Paris Municipal Ossuary, the site soon became known as the Catacombs, and, in 1809, this macabre underground maze opened to the public.

When you visit, after you descend the 131 steps into the Catacombs, you’ll follow a mile (1.5km) of dark passages lined with the bones of millions of people decoratively arranged by size in beautiful barrel, heart and circular patterns. It’s quite remarkable, and on your walk, you’ll spot plaques explaining the Catacombs’ unique and fascinating history.

You’ll learn about the famous French people who may be lining the walls, including Charles Perrault, who wrote a number of fairytales including Puss in Boots and Cinderella, and Salomon de Brosse, who designed Paris’s striking Luxembourg Palace.

When you finish, you’ll climb 112 steps to the gift shop and exit.

Wear comfortable shoes and leave suitcases or large bags at the hotel. You’re not allowed to eat or drink, bring pets or touch any of the bones. You can take naturally lit photos for personal use, but turn flashes off and leave tripods at home.

Book your Paris hotel today!”