Our tour guide Melvin was very good. We had three people that arrived late that delayed our departure so things were a bit rushed but overall the tour was very good but quite pricey for the semi private tour.





An Exclusive descend into the macabre and marvellous underbelly of Paris, this Tour is the perfect way to marvel over millions of intricately arranged skeletons in the Paris Catacombs, hear fascinating tales about The Catacombs’ history, wartime use & resident ghosts, learn about legendary crypts where beheaded revolutionaries were laid to rest, and so much more. All of this in a Small Group of ONLY 6 people Max, skip-the-line VIP access into the Catacombs with an expert local guide, AND special VIP access to restricted Catacombs chambers!
Out at sunset: the 4:25 PM departure is under way when the sun sets, around 5:43 PM in the coming weeks.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 12.
Beneath the dazzling lights of modern Paris lie the devilishly dark Catacombs, which in this Exclusive Tour you will be able to descend into and explore in your very own Group of ONLY 6 people MAX, and of course skipping the ticket lines. Sometimes called the “Empire of Death,” this marvelously macabre 200-mile maze houses the painstakingly arranged remains of roughly 6 million Parisians. On this Paris Catacombs Tour, you will get to see all the glorious and ghoulish sites without waiting for hours in line. As an added bonus, your Tour will include VIP access to rarely seen restricted chambers. Your Paris Catacombs Tour begins with a bone-chilling descent on the complex’s 133-step staircase. Your guide will explain how these tunnels were used in the 13th century to quarry limestone for buildings as grand as Notre Dame. As you make your way through these narrow tunnels, you will learn why bad weather in the 1780s forced Parisians to bury their dead here. During your tour, you will have plenty of time to admire the Catacombs’ disturbingly detailed bone decorations. From religious iconography to hearts, workers found many ways to “beautify” the bones housed in this complex. There is, however, one decoration that will really set your spine a-tingling. Inside the popular Crypt of the Passion take a few moments to admire “The Barrel,” which is constructed out of various skeletal remains. In addition to housing the dead, the Catacombs played an important role in many significant historic events. Your guide will tell you tales of the German Wehrmacht and the French Resistance who both used part of the Catacombs as wartime bunkers during World War II.
Pay homage to monuments dedicated to people who died fighting during the French Revolution, and pass by some of the cemeteries, such as the Magdalena Cemetery, where beheaded revolutionaries were laid to rest. If you are not afraid of ghosts, then ask your guide about the grave of the doorman Philibert Aspairt who passed away in the Catacombs in the 18th century. According to legend, Aspairt’s spirit rises up every November 3rd to spook unsuspecting tourists. Believe it or not, there’s now a dedicated group of Catacombs enthusiasts known as the cataphiles. As your guide will explain, these cataphiles have caused quite a stir in recent years hosting huge raves, swimming parties, and an extensive network in this underground city of the dead. Keep your eyes peeled for graffiti left by cataphiles on your Catacombs Tour. Keep in mind, only 200 people are allowed into the Catacombs at any given moment. With our Tour, however, you will enjoy VIP access to all of the Catacombs’ major highlights without waiting in line. This Exclusive Paris Catacombs Tour will also take you to areas that are restricted to the general public, again all in the personalised atmosphere that only a Small Group of 6 People Max can offer!
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Excurgo comparison of 4,613 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Paris Catacombs Semi-Private Max 6 People Guided Tour lasts about 1h 30min. The itinerary has 2 stops.
Prices start at $239 per person for this Paris experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, starting at 1:25 PM, 4:25 PM, and 5:25 PM.
Children aged 3–17 pay from $210, adults from $239. Infants go free.
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
The meeting point is In front of the Catacombs Main Entrance on 1 Avenue du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy, Paris, France. Your guide will be holding a LivTours sign. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
The experience is available in EN.
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 6 participants.
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Travellers rate it 4.9 out of 5 across 265 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by LivTours.
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
Our tour guide Melvin was very good. We had three people that arrived late that delayed our departure so things were a bit rushed but overall the tour was very good but quite pricey for the semi private tour.
Melvin was a great guide. Very knowledgeable about the Catacombs. And he generally cared if we enjoyed the tour. I wouldn’t recommend doing the Catacombs if you are claustrophobic. Melvin had to escort a lady that wasn’t part of our group out of the tunnels. Great guy . My family really enjoyed the history behind the catacombs.
The history of the catacombs is equally as interesting as the bones themselves. I appreciated all the knowledge and dark humor our guide, Zach, brought to the tour. He also did a great job of translating all the existential poetry, which could get pretty humbling at points, hearing about the frailty of life surrounded by death. Overall it was unique and seamless experience and the private portion of this ticket did allow us a few stops outside of the standard tourist path. I would recommend.
So much fun! Our tour guide Melvin was funny, educational, and helpful. We were late and he insured that we were able to make it still! 10/10 would recommend
Melvin was great! He met our geoup at entrance right on time. Very knowledgeable and used tablet to help illustrate many historical aspects of catacombs and how relate to Paris history. We even were able to access two additional areas of catacombs not accessible on self guide. Would certainly recommend this group if really want an in depth experience. Thank you Melvin!
Our tour guide Melvin was above excellent. Very knowledgeable and shared his wealth of knowledge
Marie was a wonderful guide. She is very knowledgeable and made the tour fun. I would highly recommend this tour and Marie!!
Absolutely amazing! Melvin was the best guide ever
Remi is everything a tour guide should be. He was knowledgeable, friendly and had a good sense of humor. Be sure to wear good walking shoes and a jacket. The spiral staircase at the start and at the end could be a challenge for some.
Thank you for the wonderful review, Paul! We’re so glad to hear that Remi was everything you could hope for in a guide, combining knowledge, friendliness, and a great sense of humor throughout your journey through the Catacombs. We also appreciate you sharing those helpful tips for future guests!
Remi was my guide, very friendly, very knowledgeable and answered all my questions. I would book again!
| Tour | Duration | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Paris Catacombs Semi-Private Max 6 People Guided Tour | 1h 30min | 4.9 (265) | $239 | |
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