Paris Catacombs
Paris by Photo Photography tours - tour Paris and learn about photography at the same time. A perfect way to enjoy your holiday and learn something new at the same time! From just €79!
Go take a look at our Paris by Photo photography tours page now for more information and to find out why we love photographing Paris so much.
Go take a look at our Paris by Photo photography tours page now for more information and to find out why we love photographing Paris so much.
Paris by Photo Photography tours - tour Paris and learn about photography at the same time. A perfect way to enjoy your holiday and learn something new at the same time! From just €79!
Go take a look at our Paris by Photo photography tours page now for more information and to find out why we love photographing Paris so much.
Go take a look at our Paris by Photo photography tours page now for more information and to find out why we love photographing Paris so much.
If you are not too squeamish, the Paris Catacombs is a must see if you are visiting Paris. The former stone mines of Paris is the final resting place to the skeletal remains of around 6 million people. Opened due to the over-use of the Paris cemeteries (understatement), it was used mainly as a repository for the remains taken from cemeteries across Paris. It was not until around 1810, Lous-Etienne Héricart de Thury oversaw the renovations turning the former stone mines into a sepulture. It slowly started to be turned into a tourist attraction, with regular visits starting from around 1867.
It takes around 1 hour to visit, though as you can see from the photo below, the queue can be substantial. It took us about 20 minutes to enter the Paris Catacombs from our position in the queue (a bit further back from the actual photo), so do not be put off by if there is there is a long queue. It is best to turn up at the start of the day when it opens. They allow 200 visitors to be inside at any one time. You walk around 2 kilometers (around 1.2 miles), with 130 steps to go down ad 83 to come up. There are no toilets or facilities, so ensure you go before you enter!
What to Wear
It is a constant 14° Celsius (57° Fahrenheit), so a light jacket should keep you warm. There is also some surface water and the occasional drip in there, so sandals and shoes made of light materials like cotton are not recommended.
Entry Price
Full price entry for an adult is 8 euros. Reduced(over 60) 6 euros. Young person tickets (14-26) 6 euros. Children under 14 get in for free, providing they are accompanied by an adult.
Opening Times
It is open Tuesday to Sundays from 10:00 (10am) to 17:00 (5pm), with last admission at 16:00 (4pm).
Can I use a camera?
Yes, but no flash is allowed.
Take a look at the photo gallery at the bottom of this page to see just some of what you will find in the Paris Catacombs.
It takes around 1 hour to visit, though as you can see from the photo below, the queue can be substantial. It took us about 20 minutes to enter the Paris Catacombs from our position in the queue (a bit further back from the actual photo), so do not be put off by if there is there is a long queue. It is best to turn up at the start of the day when it opens. They allow 200 visitors to be inside at any one time. You walk around 2 kilometers (around 1.2 miles), with 130 steps to go down ad 83 to come up. There are no toilets or facilities, so ensure you go before you enter!
What to Wear
It is a constant 14° Celsius (57° Fahrenheit), so a light jacket should keep you warm. There is also some surface water and the occasional drip in there, so sandals and shoes made of light materials like cotton are not recommended.
Entry Price
Full price entry for an adult is 8 euros. Reduced(over 60) 6 euros. Young person tickets (14-26) 6 euros. Children under 14 get in for free, providing they are accompanied by an adult.
Opening Times
It is open Tuesday to Sundays from 10:00 (10am) to 17:00 (5pm), with last admission at 16:00 (4pm).
Can I use a camera?
Yes, but no flash is allowed.
Take a look at the photo gallery at the bottom of this page to see just some of what you will find in the Paris Catacombs.
Metro
Denfert-Rochereau
Line(s)
M4 M6 RER B
We have a great gallery of photos of the Paris Catacombs below, where you can see the striking arrangement of skulls and femurs.
Our sister site has lots of Gigapixel photos of Paris Monuments and famous Paris places. You can even take your own photos and send as free e-cards to your friends and family.