Explore the Paris Catacombs and Walk Among the Bones
When you make plans to visit Paris, you often thing of museums featuring colorful works of art or enjoying a crepe in a small cafe. But have you ever thought of wandering through tunnels below the city, lined with bones and skulls? The Paris Catacombs are a unique experience that’s sure to creep you out just a little. 😉
If you want to explore the Catacombs of Paris during your visit, here’s a rundown on what to expect, and a few tips to help you maximize your visit.
Get Tickets Online in Advance of Your Visit
I prefer to buy tickets in advance of my visit to almost any museum or attraction. Since many are requiring timed entry, this allows me to plan my itinerary so I can maximize my time.
During our visit to Paris, we weren’t sure if we were going to have time to visit the Catacombs of Paris. There were so many things to see. However, since we were there during non-peak travel time (October), we didn’t anticipate tickets to the Paris Catacombs being unavailable. Plus, if you buy tickets the day of your tour time, they’re about half the price.
So early that morning, I woke up and purchased our tickets to the Catacombs of Paris for that evening, saving us a few dollars. Since the two kids are under 18, they were free (although you still need to reserve them a ticket).
Another thing to consider is the time of day you want to visit the Catacombs of Paris. Our plan was for the evening hours, just before closing time. That tends to be the less-trafficked time, so it worked out well.
What to Bring (and not Bring) to the Paris Catacombs
The Catacombs of Paris are underground tunnels. This means that regardless of the time of year you’re visiting, the temperature in the tunnels is the same. Plan on temperatures of 55-60 degree Fahrenheit. Bring a sweatshirt or light jacket. It would be miserable to wander through the tunnels shivering and unable to enjoy the experience because you forgot to bring a light jacket.
Don’t bring large bags or backpacks. If you do, they require you to wear the backpack on your front, that way you don’t risk hitting your bag into anything (or anyone) during your tour. There is no cloak room, so you won’t be able to check any bags. Motorcycle helmets, strollers, food and drinks are also not allowed inside.
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Don’t bring a tripod. As a photographer myself, I would’ve loved to have brought a tripod so I could capture photos in the dark tunnels. But since they aren’t allowed, I had to up the ISO on my camera and hold really, really still. You can use a flash, but be mindful of other tour guests so you don’t blind or bother them.
Arrive at the Entrance… Not the Exit
The entrance is not the same place as the exit. You travel roughly one mile underground, and it’s not loop – it’s a one way. The entrance address is 1, Avenue du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy. The RER and Metro stop is Denfert-Rochereau. It took us a moment to find it after getting off the metro, but we did.
After checking in with your tickets and having your bags checked, your ready to descend into the tunnels. Plan on walking down 131 stairs to reach the actual underground tunnels. It’s a winding staircase. There is no elevator or wheelchair accessible entrance.
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After the tour, you’ll need to climb 112 steps to the exit. This leads you to a gift shop where you can buy items relative to the Paris Catacombs. This includes a skull or bone pen, stickers, books and other typical souvenir items.
The exit is located at 21 bis, Avenue René-Coty. If you walk north along Avenue René-Coty, you’ll return to the entrance of the catacombs, and thus can easily find the metro stop to take you to your next stop on your Paris itinerary.
Don’t Touch the Bones Along the Tour Route
What can you expect along the tour? Well, after descending the 131 steps to the underground tunnels, you’ll find a room with information about the history of the Paris catacombs. Take your time to read the panels so you learn something along the tour. If you have the audioguide, take advantage of listening to it.
After the “history room”, follow the tunnels. There’s a bit of walking before you reach the actual bones area. But once there, I encourage you to not just rush through. Take your time to read and learn about how the catacombs were formed and why the bones were moved here from other cemeteries.
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The skills and bones are laid out in creative patterns. There are lines, arrows, crosses and other shapes made in the wall layouts. Behind those walls, there are rows and rows of bones. If you’re tall enough to see over the walls, you can see just how far back the piles of bones go. There were a lot of people who’s bones now rest in these underground tunnels below Paris.
The Details
Address: The entrance is at 1, Avenue du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy (place Denfert-Rochereau)
75014 Paris. You’ll exit at 21 bis Avenue René-Coty.
Cost: The full rate is 29 Euro (roughly $32) and includes the audioguide. The reduced rate (those 18-26) is 27 Euros, while children 4-17 are 5 Euros, and both include the audioguide. There are same-day tickets available at a reduced rate (roughly half price), but those quantities are limited.
Hours: The Catacombs of Paris are open Tuesday to Sunday from 9.45 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. The ticket window closes at 7:30 p.m. The Catacombs are closed on Mondays, January 1, May 1 and December 25.
Website: https://www.catacombes.paris.fr/en
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