Paris Catacombs: Everything You Need to Know Before You Go
Updated: 2 days ago
When you think of visiting Paris, you probably think of the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, or the Louvre. Those are all iconic attractions and you should definitely take the opportunity to see them in person if you travel to Paris. However, if you want to dig a little deeper into Paris history (20 meters underground to be exact), I highly recommend a visit to the Paris Catacombs.
Did You Know the Bones of 6 Million People Are Under Paris?
Paris is home to one of the world's largest ossuaries (a site used as a final resting place for human skeletal remains). It is also one of only a handful of ossuaries that are located underground. The Paris Catacombs were created in the tunnels of former limestone quarries that wind underneath the busy city streets...an actual underground labyrinth in the heart of Paris. Twenty meters underground, the Catacombs contain the remains of over six million Parisians!
How did this come to be? Here is the reader's digest version of events. In the late 18th century Paris started running out of room for its' dead. The city's cemeteries were so overcrowded that walls were literally collapsing into neighboring basements. This was not only unsettling (no pun intended), but was becoming a major public health problem. The solution was as practical as it was ghoulish: relocate millions of skeletons from Parisian cemeteries into the abandoned limestone quarry tunnels that already snaked beneath the city (the same tunnels that gave Paris the stone to build itself in the first place).
The first evacuations occurred from 1785 to 1787 from the largest cemetery in Paris. The relocation of remains continued after the French Revolution (and markers denoting revolutionaries killed during this time can be found on the Catacomb walls). The last bone deposits occurred in 1860. The transfer of the skeletons often happened at night to avoid the hostility of the Parisian people and the churches which were unhappy with the disturbance of remains.Workers moved bones by torchlight, cart by cart, stacking femurs and skulls in the tunnels with a level of artistry that feels almost inappropriate for a mass grave.
Starting in 1809, the Catacombs were open to the public by appointment. A register was placed at the end of the circuit where visitors could leave their thoughts and impressions. During the nineteenth century visiting rights were changing constantly from total closing to monthly or quarterly openings. These days the Paris Catacombs are open to everyone without authorization and the ossuary welcomes over half a million visitors each year.
What to Expect in the Paris Catacombs:
Once you enter the building and pass through security, you will descend a spiral staircase that feels like it will never end. There are 131 steps down to the Catacombs. You may get a bit dizzy spinning round and round the spiral and your legs may start burning. You will finally reach the quarry tunnels and you will walk through 1.5 kilometers of narrow, dimly lit passages before climbing back up 112 steps that take you out somewhere else entirely.
You will feel like you have entered the Underworld as you wander through the tunnels. You will come across street markers that indicate where you are in relation to the bustling city above.
However, the environment below could not be more different from the energetic life happening 20 meters above you. It's quiet and surprisingly peaceful in the Catacombs. The dimly lit tunnels guide you along and you can hear drips of water falling from the cool stone somewhere in the distance. Hushed voices float through the air as visitors point out intricate bone designs. There are various plaques placed throughout the Catacombs with scripture or poems meant to encourage visitors to reflect and meditate on life and death. It is not as morose as it sounds. I translated a few of the quotes (as they are obviously written in French) and they are strangely inspirational and thought-provoking.
As you wander through the tunnels, you will also be taken by the care and attention given to the placement of the bones. Intricate designs are formed with skulls and bones indicating the bones were carefully placed, not just dumped. It is really amazing to think about all of the work and effort it took to not only transport the skeletal remains from existing cemeteries but to create this special place of remembrance. It is unlike any other place I have ever been.
The Catacombs contain the remains of millions of anonymous people. As the bones were all mixed together when transporting them from the cemeteries, the bones could not be specifically identified when placed in the Catacombs. Archival records give indication of who was buried in the old cemeteries and identify the presence of illustrious French personalities such as scientists, writers, ministers, politically committed figures, among others. Their bones were integrated with the remains of "regular" French citizens in the construction of the Catacombs. In 1809, a visitor of the Catacombs wrote a particularly enlightened comment reflecting on the mixing of the remains: "I have visited the true temple of equality."
Practical Information for Visiting the Catacombs:
Hours: The Catacombs are open Tuesday - Sunday from 9:45 am to 8:30 pm (with last entrance at 7:30 pm). The Catacombs are closed on Mondays as well as January 1, May 1 and December 25.
Book Ahead: Tickets sell out, especially during busy season, and walk-up spots are unlikely. The Paris Catacombs website allows you to reserve a timed entry. Spots open up seven days prior. Current ticket prices can be found on the website. Adult tickets were 31 Euros in 2026 with reduced tickets for children.
Entrance: The visitors’ entrance is located at 1, Avenue du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy (place Denfert-Rochereau) ,75014 Paris. Note that the Catacombs is a one-way 1.5 km circuit. You enter at the address above and exit at 21 bis, Avenue René-Coty.
What to Wear: It is cool down in the Catacombs. If you get chilly easy, bring a light jacket for comfort. Even though it is cooler, it can also be humid so plan accordingly. Also be aware that large bags are not allowed and there is no baggage storage (not to mention you exit at a completely different location). Only bags measuring 40x30 cm are allowed and they must be carried in front of you or in your hand (no backpacks).
Not Handicapped Accessible: There is no wheelchair access down to the Catacombs and there are a lot of steps to descend and to climb. If you have mobility issues this may not be the tour for you. There are also narrow, tight tunnels, so if you suffer from claustrophobia I would think twice. However, I tend to be a little claustrophobic and it did not bother me. It wasn't too crowded and the tunnels were wide enough to not feel trapped.
Audioguides: An Audioguide is included with your ticket price so be sure to grab the headphones on your way in. I was running late for my timed entry and was a bit flustered so I didn't realize I could take the headphones. I am bummed I missed out on that aspect of the tour. Make sure you benefit from my mistake!
Bathrooms: There are only restrooms available at the entrance and at the exit. It takes about an hour to do the full circuit, so make sure to use the facilities before you start your journey.
Don't Get Scammed: If you try to buy a ticket from a third party seller because tickets on the Catacomb's website are sold out, be careful! There is a list of authorized resellers on the Catacomb's website. Please check this list before purchasing a ticket from a third party.
Is it Worth it to Visit the Paris Catacombs?
I did not visit the Paris Catacombs on my first visit to Paris which was filled with all the usual Paris attractions. On this visit, I wanted to go a little deeper (no pun intended) and visit some locations that aren't usually on the short list. While a visit to the Catacombs may seem creepy and out of some people's comfort zone, I highly recommend it. If you can get past the macabre aspect, it really is a unique look into the history of Paris and the development of the city. The artistry and care that was taken to arrange the remains deserves to be appreciated and honored. So...yes! It was totally worth it!
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