Paris Catacombs Tour with Restricted Areas
Description
The Paris Catacombs release only a limited number of tickets each day, making them one of the hardest sites in the city to enter. This tour solves that with pre-reserved timed entry, so you can head inside without a worry. An expert, English-speaking guide leads the way through a labyrinth of bone-lined tunnels, sharing the dark history of how forgotten limestone quarries became the resting place for millions of Parisians. Along the route, walk past walls of skulls and femurs arranged into crosses and archways, and you stand before the Barrel of Passion in the Crypt of Passion. The highlight is privileged access to two restricted chambers, closed to the general public, where a guard unlocks the iron gates for your small group. With reserved entry, eerie legends, and rooms most visitors never see, this is one of the most memorable ways to experience underground Paris.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Meet your guide near the Catacombs entrance at Denfert-Rochereau and get ready to head far below the city. Descend the long spiral staircase into a maze of tunnels first carved as limestone quarries in the Middle Ages, later used as burial chambers when the city's graveyards overflowed. As you walk the bone-lined corridors, you'll see skulls and femurs stacked floor to ceiling and arranged into crosses, hearts, and archways, while your guide explains how the remains of millions came to rest here. Next, stand before the Barrel of Passion in the Crypt of Passion, the most striking arrangement underground, and hear the tale of a secret midnight concert once held in these tunnels. The highlight comes when a guard unlocks the iron gates to two restricted chambers closed to the general public, where your small group sees rooms most visitors never reach. The tour ends deep inside the Catacombs, with free time to linger and explore at your own pace before you exit to street level.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- The Catacombs are confined and lined with human bones, so the atmosphere may feel unsettling for guests who are claustrophobic or sensitive to enclosed spaces.
- This tour involves descending and climbing a long staircase and walking through uneven underground passages.
Reviews(88)
Very easy to book through the app. Great communication leading up to our trip and good directions to meeting point. Our guide Remi was wonderful and extremely passionate about what he does, we loved it!
Thank you for your kind words, Leann. We’re thrilled to hear that booking was easy and that communication before your tour went smoothly. It’s wonderful to know you enjoyed your experience with Rémi, and he will be so pleased to hear your compliments. We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback and hope to welcome you on another tour soon.
Remi has a clear passion and it shows. Prepare for lots of steps and walking. Would highly recommend!
Thank you, David! We couldn’t agree more - Remi’s passion for the Catacombs truly shines through. We’re so glad you enjoyed this fascinating and unique experience. Thanks for the kind recommendation, and we hope to guide you again on your next Paris discovery!
Our guide was very thorough explaining the history of the Catacombs. It is a tour you shouldn’t miss.
Hi Donna, Thank you for your review! We're happy to hear that your guide was very thorough explaining the history of the Catacombs. We agree—it is a tour you shouldn't miss!
Eleanor was very punctual and informative throughout the tour! She knew her history and did a great job! Eleanor helped us afterwards in obtaining metro train tickets. We really loved her in the tour!
Hi Debora, Thank you so much for taking the time to share your wonderful experience with Eleanor on our Paris Catacombs tour. We're thrilled to hear that you found her to be punctual and so informative. We think she's pretty great too and we'll be sure to pass along your kind words to her. It's wonderful to know she was able to make your tour so memorable and even assist you with your metro tickets afterwards. We're so glad you loved her and that she was able to help you. We hope to see you on another one of our tours soon!
It is one of the creepiest but interesting tours you will ever do. I don't want to spoil too much but this trip through underground Paris will fascinate you as you learn about how and why there are so many bones and why they are where they are. There are about 100 steps down and back up and the tunnels are not large and if you suffer from claustrophobia may want to skip. With the tour we had access to areas not available to general admission ticket. Be prepared to be creeped out.
Hi Jeff, What an incredibly fascinating and spooky experience. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this tour. It is wonderful to hear that you found it both creepy and interesting. We are so pleased that you enjoyed the unique access and the historical insights. Your feedback is so helpful for us to convey the truly unique nature of this tour to other travelers, especially your point about the steps and the tight spaces. We truly appreciate you taking the time to write a review and we hope to welcome you on another one of our tours, perhaps one that is less bone chilling, in the future.
Remy was a wonderful tour guide. He maintained a nice balance between humor and respect while educating us about the catacombs.
We’re so glad you appreciated Remy’s balance of humor, respect, and insight while guiding you through the Catacombs. It’s a unique experience, and having the right guide makes all the difference.
We had an amazing experience. Remy, our guide was fantastic. He shared so much interesting information we would not have gotten without his guidance. Access to the restricted areas was a treat as well. Highly recommend this tour.
We’re delighted you had such a memorable visit with Remy. His knowledge and access to the restricted areas add so much depth to the experience. Thank you for recommending the tour!
Our tour guide, Remi, was amazing! He had a great sense of humor and was very knowledgeable. This was an awesome tour all around and having a tour guide is definitely worth it!
We’re so glad you enjoyed exploring the Catacombs with Remi. His mix of humor and deep knowledge makes this fascinating underground world even more memorable.
Remi was amazing! Very knowledgeable and professional. We were able to walk through private areas only allowed for private tours. It was an amazing experience!
We’re pleased you enjoyed the special access and insight that come with a private Catacombs tour. Remi’s expertise and professionalism help bring this remarkable experience to life in a truly unique way.
Amazing tour! Remi was extremely knowledgeable, patient, and overall just fun to be around. Will recommend all family and friends to visit!
Thank you! Remi truly knows the Catacombs inside and out, and we’re happy he made the tour both informative and enjoyable. It's not an easy site to forget, and we’re grateful you’ll be recommending us to friends and family!
