How to buy tickets for the Paris Catacombs

When you think of Paris, the mind often conjures up images of a city rich in beauty and romance, thanks to its many top-notch cultural attractions. What could be more beautiful than a cruise on the Seine or admiring the view from the Eiffel Tower? However, there are other sides of the city that hide a suggestive and unsettling beauty, such as the mysterious Catacombs of Paris, which extend deep beneath the French capital.

Visiting the Catacombs of Paris offers the chance to see the remains of millions of people buried in these secret tunnels. Whether you find it sinister, unsettling, moving, or a combination of all three, it is certainly a memorable attraction not to be missed. In this guide, we will show you how to buy tickets for the Catacombs of Paris so you can make the most of your visit to this extraordinary place.

For those in a hurry. How to buy tickets for the Catacombs of Paris: unless you enjoy spending your holidays in long lines, we strongly recommend that you purchase your Catacombs of Paris entry ticket in advance here. Or, if you want to uncover the secrets of the world’s largest underground burial site with a guide, book a tour here.

Best options for purchasing Catacombs of Paris tickets

As with many other major tourist attractions, there are several ways to get tickets for the Catacombs of Paris. These options depend on how organized or spontaneous you are, as well as how you want to visit the Catacombs. Below, we’ve listed the different ticket purchase options so you can choose the one that best suits your needs.

1. Wait in line (Not recommended)

Although it is possible to buy tickets for the Catacombs of Paris directly at the ticket office on the day of your visit, this is not an approach we recommend. Tickets are limited, and if you wait until you arrive to get them, you risk being disappointed.

Not only that, but you’ll also have to spend time in line at the ticket office, which can get quite long during the peak tourist season. Both of these reasons make waiting until you arrive to buy tickets a bad idea—especially considering there is a better last-minute alternative, as you’ll see shortly.

2. Book online (Recommended)

Instead, we strongly recommend booking your tickets for the Catacombs of Paris online before you arrive. You can purchase tickets months in advance, as well as for a same-day visit, although the latter are quite limited. In both cases, you will have tickets with priority access to the Catacombs of Paris, allowing you to enter at your designated time without waiting in line to purchase tickets, then again to enter. Knowing exactly what time your visit starts also lets you better plan the rest of your day’s sightseeing in the city.

Tickets can be purchased through the official website of the catacombs but they are non-refundable. Instead, we recommend that you book your tickets in advance, as they cost almost the same and allow you to cancel up to 24 hours in advance and receive a full refund.

3. Book a guided tour

A guided tour of the Paris Catacombs is a great idea for visitors who want to learn and make the most of their experience in this place. After all, there are many things to discover in the catacombs, and having someone who can answer all your questions is definitely an advantage.

Although there is a guided tour offered once a week by the management, it is in French and spots are very limited. That’s why we recommend you opt for these guided tours in English, which take place much more frequently. Tickets for these tours also include a full refund for cancellations made up to 24 hours in advance.

Useful information for visiting the Paris Catacombs

What is the best time to visit the Paris Catacombs?

If you’re looking for the best time to visit the Paris Catacombs when they’re less crowded, there are certain times that are preferable. However, this is a very popular tourist attraction in Paris, one of the most visited cities in the world, so you can expect other visitors to be present at any time. Two factors you don’t have to worry about, though, are the weather and the light, since you’ll be in an underground environment anyway.

In general, the best times of day to plan your visit are early morning or late evening. You’ll notice that the number of tourists is highest in the early afternoon most days. As for the best days, Tuesday and Wednesday are the quietest, while the attraction is busier during the weekend.

Opening hours of the Paris Catacombs

The Paris Catacombs are open every day of the week except Monday. The site is closed on certain holidays, including January 1st, May 1st, and December 25th. The opening hours of the catacombs are from 9:45 am to 8:30 pm, with last entry one hour before closing. During the summer, opening hours may be extended into the late evening.

How to get to the Paris Catacombs

Although the Paris Catacombs aren’t as central as other major attractions in the city, they are still easily accessible if you know how to get around. They are within comfortable walking distance from the Luxembourg Gardens and the Montparnasse Tower, but you will probably want to reach them via public transport.

The easiest way to get there is probably by metro or train, since the Denfert-Rochereau station is right next to the entrance. You can take lines 4 and 6 to reach the station by metro, or the RER line B if you’re travelling by train. There are several buses that will take you to the catacombs, but the most useful are probably the 38 from Cité–Palais de Justice and the 68 from Pyramides.

How do tickets for the Paris Catacombs work?

Understanding how tickets work for the Paris Catacombs is an important part of making the most out of your visit. Tickets for the Catacombs of Paris may seem fairly straightforward, but there are a few details you should know when planning your purchase.

One of the key points to understand is that on the official website there are two ticket options. The main one is for advance tickets, which you can book months ahead of time. However, there is also the option to reserve last-minute visits on the same day you wish to visit, among the few tickets available for the Catacombs of Paris.

When booking your tickets, you will need to select a predetermined entry time from those available. Tickets are limited to 200 visitors on site, with time slots every 15 minutes. Once your tickets are booked, you can either print them or save them on your smartphone to present upon arrival.

How much do tickets to the Catacombs of Paris cost?

The cost of tickets to the Catacombs of Paris depends on the type of ticket you purchase. Advance tickets are more expensive than last-minute ones, as they allow you to guarantee entry in advance and include an audio guide. Advance tickets for the Catacombs of Paris cost €29 for adults, €27 for visitors eligible for a reduced rate, and €5 for children. Last-minute tickets cost €15 for adults, €13 for visitors with reduced rates, and children enter for free but still require a booked ticket. Audio guides, when purchased separately, cost €5. Discounted tickets are available for students and adults between 18 and 26 years old, with valid ID. Children’s tickets are for those under 18 years of age.

The best hotels near the Catacombs of Paris

Travelers hoping to stay somewhere a little different during their time in Paris should definitely take a look at the area surrounding the Catacombs of Paris. The 14th arrondissement and the nearby neighborhoods offer an interesting mix of shopping, food, and cafés, making them ideal for enjoying the time between sightseeing around the city. Since there are so many options to choose from, here are a few suggestions to get you started.

For a high-end hotel that’s sure to offer a comfortable and stylish environment, you can’t go wrong with the Hotel Le Six. This four-star boutique hotel offers spacious and fashionable rooms and suites, as well as modern amenities such as a gym and a hammam.Hotel Max is a great choice if you’re looking for somewhere in the area that’s both affordable and welcoming. With this three-star boutique hotel, you’ll be just a 10-minute walk from the entrance to the Catacombs.

There aren’t many budget options in this part of the city, which makes the FIAP Jean Monnet such a great choice. Here you can choose between dorms and private rooms in this hostel, with access to a restaurant, bar, garden, and shared lounge. Check our guide to hostels in Paris for more recommendations.

Safety at the Catacombs of Paris

Since the catacombs are a delicate and sacred place, visitors will need to go through a security check at the start of their visit and follow some rules.

Perhaps the most important rule is that visitors must not touch the remains, as they are extremely fragile and once belonged to the citizens of Paris. Another rule aimed at preserving the ossuary is that only very small handbags are allowed inside the catacombs, to be worn in front of the body. Suitcases, large bags, and baby strollers are not permitted and, since there is no cloakroom or luggage storage, you will want to arrange those before you arrive.

Personal photography is allowed, even with flash. However, tripods and other professional equipment are not allowed. Food, drinks, and alcohol are also prohibited.

Visiting the Catacombs of Paris with a disability

It is not surprising that, given their nature, the Catacombs of Parisare not an easy place to visit for people with disabilities. However, visitors with disabilities are entitled to free admission for themselves and a companion.

During the tour of the Catacombs of Paris, visitors must follow old underground tunnels and tackle a total of 243 steps. This means the catacombs are not accessible for wheelchair users and the visit is not recommended for people with mobility issues or physical disabilities, while visitors with intellectual disabilities may find the environment anxiety-inducing. Visitors with visual impairments must be accompanied during the visit, and the use of white canes is not allowed. However, guide dogs are permitted.

Curiosities about the Catacombs of Paris

What are the Catacombs of Paris?

The Catacombs of Paris are an underground ossuary, a space where human remains are kept, located within a section of the old tunnel network beneath the city.

When were the Catacombs of Paris built?

The first transfers of human remains to the Catacombs of Paris took place in 1785.

When were the Catacombs of Paris consecrated?

The catacombs were consecrated as the Municipal Ossuary of Paris on April 7, 1786, thus making them centuries old.

Who built the Catacombs of Paris?

It was the officials of the city of Paris who decided to create the catacombs in the ancient quarries of Tombe-Issoire beneath the city.

Why were the Catacombs of Paris built?

The Catacombs of Paris were created in response to a public health crisis in the city caused by the local cemeteries exceeding their capacity.

How many bodies are in the Catacombs of Paris?

The remains of over six million people are found within the Catacombs of Paris.

Where are the Catacombs of Paris located?

The Catacombs of Paris are located in Petit-Montrouge, a district of the 14th arrondissement on the southern part of the city center.

Activities related to the Paris Catacombs

Once you’ve explored the underground tunnels and mysterious ossuaries, you might want to expand your Parisian experience with other attractions linked to the city’s macabre and unsettling theme. A visit to the Museum of Arts and Crafts, with its collection of torture and execution instruments, could be a perfect addition to your itinerary. Or, if you’re fascinated by the dark history of Paris, a tour of the city’s haunted sites might give you chills and new perspectives on its heritage.

For a lighter approach, consider combining your visit to the Catacombs with a food tour of the Montparnasse district. Here you can discover delicious local specialties and enjoy the lively atmosphere of one of the most vibrant neighborhoods in the French capital. Another ideal combination could be a cruise on the Seine, which will allow you to admire Paris’s iconic monuments from a unique perspective.

Whatever activity you choose to add to your program, remember that visiting the Paris Catacombs will remain an unforgettable moment of your journey in the world’s most romantic city.

Final Tips

Before concluding, here are some additional suggestions to make your visit to the Paris Catacombs a truly remarkable experience:

• Wear comfortable shoes and appropriate clothing for walking long distances in a cool and damp underground environment.
• Bring a small flashlight or a power bank for your phone, so you can take photos without any problems.
• Prepare any questions you would like to ask during the guided tour, to maximize your learning.
• If you have claustrophobia or reduced mobility, carefully consider whether a visit to the Catacombs is right for you.
• Take some time to explore the surroundings of the Montparnasse district after your visit, to discover interesting restaurants, cafés, and shops.