Visiting the Paris Catacombs

It may not be everyone’s idea of what to do on a trip to the French capital, but to visit the catacombs in Paris is an unforgettable spectacle for those with the right disposition.

The catacombs are currently closed for major renovation works but will reopen in Spring 2026.

Paris Catacombs visitor facts:

Why the Paris Catacombs are a must-see

‘Arrête! C’est ici l’empire de la mort’ is the forbidding sign as you enter, meaning ‘Stop, here is the empire of death’. It is a warning to be heeded – this is a labyrinth where the walls are made of millions of human bones and skulls.

It is the kind of place that makes you muse on mortality and the transience of existence. It is also a fascinating and often forgotten part of Parisian history.

Top reasons to visit the Paris Catacombs during your city break include:

• Explore one of the city’s hidden gems – see Paris beyond major museums and landmarks.
• Learn more about the city’s history and the limestone quarries beneath it.
• Enjoy a peaceful, reflective walk through Paris’ underground.
• Add a unique and unusual experience to your Paris itinerary.

What are the Paris catacombs?

The Paris catacombs are a network of underground tunnels in the heart of Paris where the bones of around six million corpses were deposited in the 18^th century.

The bustling streets of the Left Bank today give little clue to the ghoulish passages below ground – apart from the fact that there are only low-level buildings in the immediate area.

The catacombs have been the inspiration for novelists (Victor Hugo and Patrick Süskind among them), were used by the French Resistance as a meeting place during World War II, and have been used as a concert venue and even a cinema.

The history of the underground tunnels

The cemeteries of Paris were overflowing by the 1780s. The Holy Innocents Cemetery on the Right Bank of the Seine was one of the worst – a place where the dead were buried in mass graves, skulls and bones packed into charnel houses, and the situation so bad that remains were collapsing into cellars and neighbouring houses.

In 1786 the city authorities decided desperate measures were needed. The cemetery’s graves were exhumed and a location found for an ossuary. At the time the catacombs were an area of disused mines outside the city walls. It took two years of nightly processions to complete the morbid work of transferring the human remains over the river.

The tunnels were consecrated and over time the bones were organised, stacked into patterns and walls, and turned into a mausoleum that became a popular (if morbid) tourist attraction in the 1800s.

Planning your Paris catacombs visit

Find all the practical information you need to plan your trip to the Paris Catacombs.

Tours and exhibitions

The Catacombs in Paris offer both self-guided tours and guided tours, along with a range of exhibitions.

With intriguing titles like ‘Skeleton Story’, ‘The Sea in Paris’ and ‘The Dead of the French Revolution’, there’s little doubt that previous exhibitions have offered a captivating way to learn more about the underground ossuary. 

Opening hours

The Paris Catacombs are usually open Tuesday to Sunday, 9:45 am to 8:30 pm, but it is always worth checking the attraction website before your visit.

The catacombs are closed until Spring 2026 for renovations.

Tickets

You will need a Catacombs of Paris ticket to visit the attraction. Tickets cost 31€ per adult and 12€ per child. 

Adult tickets include an audio guide, and you can buy additional audio guides for 5€ each. These are available in English, French, Spanish, and German.

Children under 5 can visit for free.

Top tips

Find top tips to help you make the most of your trip to the Paris Catacombs:

• Book online – Tickets must be purchased in advance; they are not available at the entrance
• Travel light – The attraction doesn’t have a cloakroom, so only bring small bags and essentials.
• Wear comfortable footwear – With slippery, uneven and narrow passageways, sturdy shoes are a must!
• Follow photography rules – Avoid tripods and use flash mindfully.
• Dress appropriately – The catacombs are cool even in summer, so wear layers.
• Use a baby carrier – Strollers aren’t allowed, so bring a baby carrier if bringing little ones.

Take a read of Rachel Ifans’ account of her tour in the catacombs for a sense of what it is like. She’s right – if something does whisper in your ear, and it’s not your tour guide or travelling partner, ‘peg it’!

Explore underground Paris with Le Shuttle

The Paris catacombs are a fascinating, if unaccountably eerie place to visit. If you feel like delving more into the dark side of Paris, there are plenty of other spooky things to do. LeShuttle will take you across the Channel in only 35 minutes, and the French capital is only only three hours and 45 minutes from our terminal.