Paris Catacombs Tickets and Tours

Updated: 22 diciembre 2023
 By Christina

This post provides details about how to find the catacombs of Paris, guided tours you can take, and tips on safely enjoying a self-guided tour.

We’ll also cover some of the best ways to save money on this activity.


Tickets to the Paris Catacombs

If you’re feeling confident enough to explore the catacombs on your own, you can actually purchase tickets to the Catacombs of Paris which include an audio guide at no extra cost.

One of the best things about this option is that tickets are available almost every day of the week.

Guided tours tend to either fill up quickly and they aren’t offered as frequently, which means that you typically need to plan them out at least a month in advance.

If you don’t have the time or patience to wait, this is going to be your best option.

Here are the ticket prices for the Paris Catacombs:

  • €31 per person (18+)
  • Includes an Audio Guide.
  • Availability: Tuesday - Sunday
  • Hours: 10:15 am - 5 pm.
  • Duration: 1 hour
  • Purchase tickets or learn more.

Guided Tours of the Paris Catacombs

There are a lot of great companies offering guided tours of the Paris Catacombs, and this is probably one of the safest and most reliable ways to both see this part of the city and learn about its history.

Each of these outings includes admission to the catacombs and some of them provide access to areas that are usually off-limits to visitors.

You can expect guided tours to cost anywhere from €80 - €120 on average.

Most of these tours have limited availability, and depending on when you get tickets, you may find they are only being offered a few times each month.

With that in mind, we recommend purchasing tickets at least a month in advance to avoid missing out.

Free Walking Tours Paris

Take Walks

This company offers a lot of excellent tours around the world and in Paris.

Their tour of the catacombs includes skip-the-line tickets, so you don’t have to worry about admission prices.

In addition to tickets for the Paris Catacombs, this outing also includes a 2 hour guided tour from a professional guide who will tell you about the history of the tunnels beneath the city and events that led to the need for these communal burial grounds.

Some of these tours start in the evening at 5 pm and run to 7 pm, which is about as close to a night tour as you’ll find from any other company.

  • €168.43/Adults | €158.69/Children (2-14)
  • Includes Paris Catacombs tickets.
  • Availability: Tuesday - Friday
  • Hours: 12:30 pm, 5 pm
  • Duration: 2 hours
  • Purchase tickets or learn more.

City Wonders (not available for now)

Much like its competitors, this company also offers several great tours in Europe, and one of its services is a tour of the Paris Catacombs.

This outing includes admission to the catacombs, so you won’t have to worry about getting tickets.

During the course of this 2 hour guided tour, you’ll learn about how the catacombs were constructed.

You will also learn details about why they were necessary and what was here before it served as the final resting place of over 6 million people.

As with their competition, they also offer tours that start at around 5 pm, so it’s a good alternative to a night tour.

  • €99/Adults | €94/Children (2-14)
  • Includes Paris Catacombs tickets.
  • Availability: Tuesday - Friday
  • Hours: 12:30 pm, 5 pm
  • Duration: 2 hours
  • Purchase tickets or learn more.

Memories France

This service is very similar to all the other guided tours of the Paris Catacombs, but there are a few noteworthy differences you might want to consider.

For one thing, this tour is limited to a small group of just 6 people, which means you’ll enjoy more personal attention from your guide.

You can also expect special access to certain areas that are closed off to other tour groups.

This tour is approximately 2 hours in length and it starts at either 4:30 pm or 5:30 pm, which means they are also pretty close to being night tours.

  • €119.90  per person
  • Includes Paris Catacombs tickets.
  • Availability: Tuesday - Friday
  • Hours: 4:30 pm, 5:30 pm
  • Duration: 2 hours
  • Purchase tickets or learn more.

Voyages LLC (not available for now)

This company currently offers one of the most affordable guided tours of the Paris Catacombs.

As with their competitors, they also cover the costs of admission and provide details about the history of this location and why it was constructed.

The main difference between this Paris Catacombs tour and others is that it’s only 90 minutes in length, making it shorter than most other outings.

That said, if you’re looking to save money, this guided tour is an excellent option.

  • €79  per person
  • Includes Paris Catacombs tickets.
  • Availability: Tuesday - Friday
  • Hours: 12:30 pm, 5 pm
  • Duration: 90 minutes
  • Purchase tickets or learn more.

Paris Catacombs Discounts

There are a few different ways to save money when visiting the catacombs of Paris, including tourist passes, combo packages, and discount sites.

No matter which option you choose, you can expect to save between 5% - 25% on average.


Use a Tourist Pass

Although some Paris tourist passes have offered admission to the Paris Catacombs in the past, at the moment there is only one pass offering a deal on this activity: The Paris City Card.

This service includes admission to the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, a cruise on the Seine, a Paris audio guide, and 10% off any additional attraction in the city.

The 10% discount would bring the cost of a ticket to the Paris Catacombs down to about €26 per person.

Alternatively, you could also use this discount on a guided tour of the catacombs, and that could cut the cost by €8 - €12.

Purchase the Paris City Card or learn more.

If you’re curious about how these services work, please read our full post covering Paris tourist passes.


Combo Packages

There are a few combo packages currently being offered which include admission to a Paris Catacombs guided tour and one additional activity or attraction.

Catacombs of Paris: Guided Tour + Montparnasse Tower

  • Includes admission to Montparnasse Tower 56th Floor Terrace
  • Includes admission to the Memories France Paris Catacombs Guided Tour
  • €18/Adults | €13.50/Youth (12-18) | €9.50/Children (4-11)
  • Purchase this combo package or learn more.

Catacombs of Paris: Guided Tour + Eiffel Tower 2nd Floor


Discount Sites

Both Memories France and Voyages LLC offer their Paris Catacombs guided tours on Groupon.

This website frequently offers special deals on local activities, and they usually have additional coupon codes you can use to save an extra 10% - 25% off on average.

If none of the other deals are of interest, this is an excellent alternative to consider.


Children’s Discount

If you’re visiting with kids, please remember not to purchase tickets for them online.

The reason for this is that children’s tickets are sold at the front desk for just €5, which is a savings of €24!

Anyone from the age of 4 - 17 is eligible for a children’s ticket discount. The only requirement is that they must be accompanied by adults.

Keep in mind that adult tickets must be booked online.


Last Minute Tickets

If you buy tickets on the day of your visit, you might be able to score one of these last-minute tickets at the following discounted rates:

  • €15/Adults
  • €13/Reduced
  • Free for children under 18

The only catch is that the audio guide must be purchased separately with this discount, and it will cost an extra €5.


Reduced Rate

The reduced rate of €27 is available to all visitors who are 18-26 years old and/or students.

Last-minute reduced tickets are just €13. This may just be a savings of €2, but every euro counts!


Where Are the Catacombs?

The Catacombs of Paris (or Les Catacombes de Paris) are located at 1 av. du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy 75014 Paris.

This location is just south of the main city center, but it’s far enough that you might want to consider some form of transportation other than walking.


Take the Bus

The entrance is at the center of a pretty major intersection, so there are several bus stops nearby.

  • Right across from the Paris Catacombs, you’ll find a bus stop servicing lines 38 and N21.
  • There is a stop just across the street from the catacombs on av. Denfert Rochereau that services lines 38, N14, N21, and N122.
  • You’ll find another stop opposite Square de l’Abbe-Migne at the corner of pl. Denfert-Rochereau and av. Rene Coty servicing line 68.
  • Another stop is located at Jacques-Antoine Square, and it services lines 59 and 88.
  • There’s also a bus stop across the street from Musee de la Liberation de Paris servicing lines 68 and N14.

Take the Metro

This is probably the easiest and quickest option because there’s a Metro station right next to the entrance of the Paris Catacombs.

If you want to make sure you’re going to the right location, hop on Metro line 4 or 6 and head to the Denfert-Rochereau station.

For more information about public transportation in this historic city, make sure to read our full post covering how to use the Paris Metro.


Rent a Bike

Since the Catacombs of Paris isn’t too far from the city center, chances are it wouldn’t take more than 10-15 minutes to ride a bike here from sites like the Pantheon, Sainte-Chapelle, or Notre Dame.

If you are planning to get the Paris Passlib, keep in mind that it actually includes a free bike rental at no extra cost.


Consider Uber/Lyft or a Taxi

If all else fails or you don’t feel like waiting rideshare services and taxis will definitely know how to get here, and it won’t take much time if you’re in or near the city center.


FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

Are the Paris Catacombs dangerous?

The Paris Catacombs, while being a popular attraction, are not typically dangerous. However, like any historical site with old structures and sculptures, they should be navigated carefully. Bones, human remains and even ossuary elements could pose a risk if not treated with respect.

Are the Paris Catacombs open to the public?

Yes, the Paris Catacombs are open to the public. The opening hours are established to facilitate visitation, but be prepared for long queues as the site is often visited by Parisians and tourists alike. It's recommended to check the latest updates on their official website for accurate information.

Can you see the Paris Catacombs without a tour?

You can explore the Paris Catacombs without an expert guide, but it's not recommended. To understand the rich 18th-century history and significant elements like the sepulchral lamp, the Empire of Death inscription or Gilbert's tomb, guidance is usually beneficial. Remember, you might need to navigate stairs and meters of labyrinth-like passages.

Are the Paris Catacombs free?

Unfortunately, the Paris Catacombs are not free. Tickets must be purchased for entry. While the cost can vary, it's important to note that the price includes access to the fascinating world beneath the city, which once were limestone quarries. Consider it a small price to pay for a unique glimpse into Paris' crypt-like underbelly.

Paris Travel Tips

About The Author

Christina

Christina studied art history and French literature at the Sorbonne for a year in Paris as an undergrad. Now based in Washington, DC, she visits Paris as often as possible and loves introducing family and friends to her favorite places there. She has worked as a travel writer, museum professional, English tutor, and editor, and her favorite French cheese is Pont l'Eveque.
Updated: diciembre 22nd, 2023
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