What are the Paris Catacombs?
The Paris Catacombs are an underground ossuary holding the remains of more than six million Parisians. Created in the late 18th century inside former limestone quarries, they stretch beneath the 14th arrondissement, near Place Denfert-Rochereau. The official section open to the public covers roughly 1.5 kilometres of galleries, lined with carefully stacked walls of bones and philosophical inscriptions carved into the stone.
The transfer of remains from the city's overcrowded cemeteries began in 1786, when authorities decided to empty the Cimetière des Innocents for public-health reasons. For several decades, convoys carried human remains to the quarries by night, where they were first piled up and later, from the early 19th century, arranged into the decorative walls we still admire today.
Visiting the Catacombs means discovering both a unique geological site — the quarries that supplied the stone for many Parisian monuments — and a place of memory steeped in history. The atmosphere is cool, silent and solemn, unlike any other museum in the capital.
Why book a skip-the-line ticket
The Catacombs admit only a limited number of visitors at a time, for conservation and safety reasons. In practice, that means visitors without a reservation can wait one to two hours at the entrance, especially on weekends and during school holidays. A timed ticket guarantees your entry slot and spares you that wait.
Most tickets booked online include an audio guide and priority access. Some offers add a guide-led tour, access to galleries usually closed to the public, or small groups for a more intimate experience.
- Fixed entry time, no long queue
- Audio guide available in several languages
- Free cancellation on most tickets
- Mobile ticket: simply show your phone
How to get there
The Catacombs entrance is at 1 Avenue du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy, on Place Denfert-Rochereau, in the 14th arrondissement. The site is well served by public transport: Denfert-Rochereau station is on metro lines 4 and 6, as well as RER B. Several bus lines stop nearby.
The exit is at a different address from the entrance, a few hundred metres away on Rue Rémy Dumoncel. Keep this in mind if you leave belongings in a locker or have plans right after the visit.
What to know before you descend
The visit involves 131 steps down and 112 back up, with no lift. The route is therefore not accessible to visitors with reduced mobility or to strollers. The temperature stays constant at around 14°C all year: a light jacket is recommended, even in summer.
The floor can be damp and uneven; closed, comfortable shoes are strongly advised. Large bags, suitcases and bulky items are not allowed. Flash-free photography is permitted for personal use.
- 131 steps down, 112 steps up
- Constant temperature of about 14°C
- Not accessible to wheelchairs or strollers
- Not advised for those with claustrophobia or heart conditions
Which ticket to choose for your visit
If you're travelling independently and want to move at your own pace, the skip-the-line ticket with audio guide offers the best value. To understand the site's history in depth, a guide-led tour provides valuable insight and answers your questions in real time.
Visitors seeking exclusivity can opt for a VIP tour giving access to areas closed to the general public, while groups and families will appreciate private tours arranged around their own schedule.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to book tickets in advance?
Yes, it's strongly recommended. Visitor numbers are capped and slots sell out fast, especially on weekends and in peak season. A timed ticket guarantees entry and saves you a long wait.
How long does the visit take?
Allow between 45 minutes and an hour to walk the roughly 1.5-kilometre route. A guided tour may take a little longer.
Are the Catacombs suitable for children?
Children are allowed, but the atmosphere and the bones can be unsettling for younger visitors. The route has many steps and is not suitable for strollers.
Can I take photos?
Flash-free photography is permitted for strictly personal use. Tripods and professional equipment require prior authorisation.
Is this the official Catacombs website?
No. This is an independent visitor guide. Bookings are handled by our authorised ticketing partner.