Paris Catacombs - Tickets & Tours

Visit Catacombes de Paris tickets: underground tunnels and ossuary

Information and tips for visiting the Paris Catacombs, the 18th century underground cemeteries, ossuary and tunnels. Information about opening hours, guided tours and online tickets for the Catacombes de Paris.

Underground tunnels: Catacombes de Paris

The Catacombs of Paris are a series of underground cemeteries linked by tunnels. This tunnel network is over 290 kilometers long. Today, the Paris Catacombs are open to visitors. The catacombs are only accessible through a 130-step staircase. The catacombs are accessible along a two-kilometer journey. The Catacombs are a network of underground tunnels and cemeteries located in Paris. The cemeteries in Paris had grown overcrowded by the end of the 18th century. As a result, the old limestone mine beneath the city was converted into a storage place for the remains of 6 million Parisians. A tour through the tunnels will lead you past artwork made of piled skulls and bones.

^{Ceiling in the Paris Catacombs}

^{Network of tunnels in the Paris Catacombs}

History of the Paris Catacombs

Around 1780, a Parisian cemetery named Cimetière des Innocent was closed. Around 1785, the other Paris cemeteries were also closed. As a result, the remains of the closed cemeteries were cleared and relocated to the Paris Catacombs. Over the centuries, the Paris Catacombs have been used as an escape route or a hiding place. During the French Revolution, opponents of the revolutionary Robespierre hid in the catacombs. During WWII, a part of the tunnels was used by the French resistance.

Guided Tours & Tickets Catacombs of Paris

To enter the catacombs, an entry ticket is required. The catacombs sometimes have long lineups because only 200 visitors per hour are allowed. It is always better to book your tickets in advance:

Video: Catacombes de Paris France

Where are the Catacombs located in Paris?

The Paris metro is a convenient and easy way to visit the Paris Catacombs. The underground cemeteries can be reached via Line 4 or Line 6 at the Denfert Rochereau stop.