Paris Catacombs - How To Visit The Subterranean Empire Of Death (2026)!

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Did you know that beneath the city streets of Paris lies an Empire of Death? It’s 300 kilometres of tunnels known as the Paris Catacombs!

It’s estimated that over six million people are buried inside with their skulls and bones neatly arranged in several ossuaries.

Brave explorers can opt to visit as part of a tour as 1.5 kilometres of these spooky catacombs are open to the public as a museum.

I’ve visited twice and loved my time spent there. Whenever I post about these tunnels on my social media channels, I get asked questions on how to visit them and whether is it safe.

So, I thought I’d answer all of your burning questions about this fascinating place in this post.

Here is a complete guide on how to visit the Catacombs in Paris and whether it’s dangerous to go inside.

Table of Contents

What are the Paris Catacombs?

The Catacombs of Paris are a series of underground tunnels and ossuaries which protect the remains of over six million people.

Many people walk the streets of Paris every day without realising that beneath their feet is a macabre subterranean labyrinth.

300 kilometres of tunnels were dug out of limestone quarries in the late eighteenth century when the city’s cemeteries were discovered to be causing major public health problems.

What’s amazing is that these dug-out tunnels are an exact mirror of the streets located above them. Or, how the streets would have looked in 18th-century Paris, anyway.

This vast tunnel network is known as the “Copy of Paris” and it even has mirrored underground street signs!

The difference is that these underground lanes are not filled with cafés and pâtisseries but with millions of skulls and bones.

What is the story behind the Catacombs of Paris?

In the 18th century, an investigation into a public health crisis in the city revealed that the overflowing city cemeteries caused the issues.

A decision was made to transfer the remains underground and far outside of the capital. The centre of Paris was a much smaller territory back then.

The former Tombe-Issoire quarries were chosen which were underneath the plain of Montrouge.

These were partially dug out in the 15th century and then subsequently abandoned.

Hundreds of quarry workers started to dig out more tunnels even further underground with the instruction of Charles Axel Guillaumot, the quarry inspector.

They started evacuating the remains in 1785 and began with the Saints-Innocents cemetery.

This place had been used for burials for over 1,000 years until it closed in 1780. It’s estimated that two million people were buried there.

The bones were moved at night to avoid protest and initially, they threw the bones inside the quarry from above.

In 1786, it was consecrated as the Paris Municipal Ossuary but later gained the more interesting name of Paris Catacombs after some of the Roman Catacombs discoveries in the city.

They became a tourist attraction when Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte ordered them to the opened to the public in 1809.

Back then, you had to visit by appointment and many European nobles paid a visit including Napoleon III and the Austrian Emperor Francis I.

A selection of famous Parisians even requested to be buried there as their visit moved them so much.

How many bodies are in the Paris Catacombs?

It is estimated that the remains of several million people are interred in the catacombs beneath Paris. It’s one of the world’s largest ossuaries.

The bones were initially thrown inside but were later neatly arranged by Héricart de Thury who was the General Quarry Inspector in 1810.

As the ossuary opened up to the public and nobles started to visit, more care was taken with the remains to make a visit more interesting.

The quarry workers built several bone walls known as hagues and grouped the remains into the cemeteries they were taken from.

They decorated the ossuaries with signs and thought-provoking quotes. They even arranged the skulls into heart shapes and crucifixes.

A secret underground labyrinth

In the end, 300 kilometres of tunnels were dug beneath Paris and these have been used for all manner of things over the centuries.

Since 1955, it has been illegal to enter the majority of the catacombs without prior permission.

However, that doesn’t stop eager explorers known as “catafiles”.

The police charged with investigating these illegal underground operations are known as “cataflics” and have uncovered all sorts of bizarre things here such as cinemas, mushroom farms and beer stores.

Thankfully, a small section is open to the public today if you want to safely (and legally) visit for yourself. No prior permission is required!

Can you go inside the Paris Catacombs?

Yes, you can enter the catacombs of Paris and walk through the ossuaries as a small section of 1.5 kilometres is open to tourists as a museum.

It’s estimated that over half a million people visit these tunnels every year.

I’ve been to the Catacombs twice now and have loved my visit every time as it’s such a unique exhibition.

When I have posted this place to social media in the past, people often ask me ‘Why would you want to visit a catacombs?’. And it’s a fair enough question.

Many people are too disturbed to visit as there have been horror movies filmed here and news stories of people being trapped underground in the illegal parts of the catacombs.

The short answer is that I am fascinated with the obscure. I find graveyards beautiful and feel that these places are thought-provoking, making you question both life and death.

It may be quite macabre but I would highly recommend going as not only is it an evocative display but it has lots of history to enlighten you.

There have been a lot of viral TikToks about the catacombs, stating that it’s dangerous and unsafe to go inside.

But, they are talking about the kilometres of abandoned catacombs that lie beneath Parisian streets and I agree that you should leave those alone.

I can assure you that a tour of the Paris Catacombs Museum is completely safe and is well worth your time and money.

How to get tickets for a catacombs tour

If you want to explore the ossuary, you can buy your tickets on the official website. You can’t buy tickets on the day.

As they have a problem with ticket fraud, they only release tickets 7 days in advance at the time of writing. It used to be longer but they have gotten way more strict.

Tickets sell out quickly so I would set a reminder in your calendar to book a ticket for your travel dates 7 days before you plan to go.

You can visit the catacombs anytime from Tuesday – Sunday from 9.45 am to 8:30 pm except for some public holidays. The last entry is 7.30 pm.

Self-guided tour tickets are €29 per person, €23 for concessions and €10 a child with an audio guide included. Guided tours are also available but these are in French only.

How to find the catacombs in Paris

To find the entrance to the Paris Catacombs, you need to navigate your way to 1 Avenue du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy (place Denfert-Rochereau). Click here for a Google Pin.

You can take the metro or RER B to Denfert-Rochereau which is the closest station. You can also take buses 38 and 68.

Here, you’ll find the museum entrance. You’ll also see a series of queue lines where visitors are eagerly anticipating their visit.

Make sure to stand in the right queue line for your time slot. I would arrive around 15 minutes before just in case they let you in any earlier.

Luckily, as I visited late in the day I managed to avoid the long queues and went straight inside.

You will have your bags searched and you will be security scanned. Large bags and luggage are not permitted.

Note: you will leave the museum over a kilometre away from where you first entered. If you’re using the Paris Metro, make sure to check your route and stations when you leave!

Be prepared for 132 steps and the long tunnel

After you’ve made it through the rather intense security check, you will descend 132 winding steps that will take you underground.

This is pretty dizzying but make sure to take your time and feel how the air starts to grow colder.

It remains a steady 14 degrees Celsius here throughout the year so it’s cold even in summer.

At the bottom of the steps is where you start your audio guide with an introduction to the Paris Catacombs. There are a few signboards about the history and the layout.

You’ll listen to these chapters and then walk through a really long tunnel to the ossuaries known as the Copy of Paris (more on this below).

I’m claustrophobic and this tunnel network had me a little panicked. It’s quite narrow, winding and dark and seemed to go on forever!

I visited very late in the day so I was alone in this creepy tunnel but the gravel path inside made a loud echo.

I kept hearing footsteps as if they were right behind me but when I looked back there was no one there (or they were far behind and out of sight).

This was when I almost spiralled but I’m glad I persevered. I was so glad to make it to the end as it was a lot more open and wider.

*The Copy of Paris aka the creepiest tunnel!*

Things to see inside Paris Catacombs

So, the 1.5-kilometre circuit will take you a minimum of 45 minutes but I managed to spend around 90 minutes here as there is so much to see!

I also wanted to get some empty photos so I visited near the very end of the day and hung around a bit for the rooms to clear out.

If you are here for the last session, be warned that security will start to usher you along!

During your tour, you’ll get to see these incredible highlights along the way;

Skulls shaped into a heart Paris Catacombs

1. The Copy of Paris & The Crossroads

Before you arrive at ‘Death’s Empire’, you’ll walk through a long network of tunnels which has several signs and carvings to see.

This corridor follows the path of the streets above the surface, or what they would have been like in the 18th century.

This network is known as the ‘Copy of Paris’. You will see several signs of street names above but some of these no longer exist today.

This is where the quarry workers would have dug deeper to create the catacombs.

Look out for several carvings made by the workers and architects.

You’ll also notice a sign for the Arcueil Aqueduct built between 1613 – 1623 by Marie de Medici to bring water to Paris from the springs of Rungis.

Lastly, you’ll walk by a crossroads with a ramp that connects the upper catacombs with the lower catacombs.

This royal gallery was made for French and European nobility to visit the catacombs back in the day.

You’ll see the old entrance made of Tuscan pilasters that support the ceilings.

2. Arrête, C’est Ici La Empire de la Mort!

The next highlight is the entrance to the lower catacombs which is where all the skulls and bones are displayed.

At the threshold, you’ll see a black-and-white doorway reminiscent of antiquity with a carving above it that reads;

Arrête, C’est Ici La Empire de la Mort! Or, ‘Stop, this is Death’s Empire’.

Excuse me, how epic?! Despite the rather eerie warning, the portal does make a great photo opportunity if you can get it alone for a minute.

You’ll then enter Memoriae Majorum which is several ossuaries filled with millions of human skulls and bones.

Important: Do NOT touch any of the bones as they are delicate. If you ignore this there is a hefty €15,000 fine and one year imprisonment waiting for you!

3. Hagues & Bones of Paris Cemeteries

The ossuary section of the catacombs lies beneath Avenue René Coty, Rue Hallé, Rue Dareau and Rue d’Alembert.

At first, the bones were thrown into the quarry without much thought given to how they were displayed.

It was only in 1810 when the Héricart de Thury who was the Quarry General Inspector organised for the bones to be neatly arranged with decoration.

They were made into a series of bone walls known as hagues. The bones were then organised into the different cemeteries they were taken from.

Each of the sections was given a cemetery sign and these are still there today.

The bones were also artistically displayed in shapes like hearts and crucifixes.

Although it was made in the 19th century, it took on a medieval ossuary tradition with quotes to remind visitors of the fragility of life and death.

Memento Mori is a common reminder in ossuaries as it reminds us that we are all equal in death.

4. The Fountain “De La Samaritaine”

One of my favourite parts of the tour is the section with the Fountain of the Samaritan Woman.

It’s a circular well that is surrounded by skulls and bones from the Holy Innocent’s Cemetery.

It’s estimated that approximately two million people were buried there when it closed in 1780 and most of the remains were moved to the Paris Catacombs.

The reason for the intriguing cemetery name is due to the church built by King Louis VI dedicated to the Holy Innocents.

When the catacombs were being built, the quarry workers used this well to collect water and create the mortar used in the hagues.

5. Crypt of the Passion: The Barrel

At the end of your tour, you’ll arrive at the Crypt of the Passion with its ‘Tibia Rotunda’ in the centre otherwise known as The Barrel.

This is a large pillar that supports the ceiling but is completely covered in skulls and tibias and forms a barrel shape.

According to the catacombs, a concert was organised here in 1897 from midnight until 2 am.

As it was advertised in the newspaper over a hundred people attended to hear classical music.

The songs played were Chopin’s Funeral March, The Danse Macabre by Camille Saint-Saens and many other spooky tunes. It must have been such a vibe!

PAssion of the Crypt ThE barrel in Paris Catacombs — *Tibia Rotunda*

Don’t forget the Paris Catacombs gift shop

After your visit and climbing 112 steps back to the surface, I would urge you to have a look around the Catacombs gift shop.

They have some of the coolest skull gifts inside. You can find books, postcards, skull figurines and even pens and make-up bags!

I particularly loved their tarot decks that had been specifically made for the catacombs here.

It’s not the cheapest gift shop but I guess this is Paris! I couldn’t help but purchase some things to take home and am now the proud owner of a Vanité Paris: Les Catacombs toiletries bag.

How long do you need to visit?

I would leave at least an hour for your visit to the catacombs after your entry time, perhaps a little more than that if you’re keen.

If you’ve opted for a self-guided tour, you can spend as much in the catacombs as you like after your time slot.

Your visit includes an informative audio guide and there is lots to see and do when you’re inside.

But, you will have to descend a huge 131-step spiral staircase, walk around 1.5 kilometres on the circuit and ascend another huge staircase of 112 steps.

It’s quite busy and there are often bottlenecks. Plus, there’s also a gift shop to browse.

I think I spent around 90 minutes in total as I didn’t want to rush.

Is it safe and sanitary?

When I posted a video about the catacombs on my TikTok channel, this was the most asked question.

People were even quite disgusted about my visit to these catacombs as they thought it wasn’t hygienic.

But yes, the Paris Catacombs are perfectly sanitary if you’re visiting the museum for a tour.

They wouldn’t let you visit if they were deemed unsafe or unclean.

Also, many people are put off visiting due to watching ‘As Above So Below’ which is a horror movie that was filmed here.

But, c’mon, that’s just a movie and you’re not in any real danger!

I can’t speak for the other untouched parts of the catacombs in Paris which you shouldn’t be visiting anyway.

Is there a dress code?

No, there’s not a specific dress code for the catacombs but you should think about what you’re going to wear on a visit.

The catacombs are deep underground and remain at around 14 degrees Celsius all year so it can be quite cold and a little wet.

Also, you may have to wait outside the museum for a while before your visit.

I would make sure to bring a layer just in case you get a little chilly and wear sensible shoes.

You’ll traverse lots of stairs and walk on uneven (sometimes soggy) ground. So, something like trainers is best rather than flip-flops or heels.

My top tips for visiting

Be prepared if you’re claustrophobic – you’ll be walking for around 1.5 kilometres underground in small and narrow catacombs. It’s wide enough to not feel trapped but I definitely started to panic before I got inside the ossuaries which are wider.

Don’t touch the bones – they are fragile and must not be touched. There is a huge fine and a prison sentence for those who ignore this.

Book tickets way in advance – the tour is very popular and tickets numbers are capped per day. They also only release tickets 7 days in advance to avoid ticket fraud. Make sure to book your visit as far in advance as you can to avoid disappointment.

Only book through the official website – There are lots of fake tickets sold out there so only book through the official site.

Leave at least an hour – the museum section of the catacombs is not overly large but you should leave at least an hour for the audio tour. It can get quite busy and there are bottlenecks.

You will enter and leave in different places – you will leave the museum 1.5 kilometres away from where you enter. So, plan your metro routes.

Your bags will be searched – Before you enter the catacombs your bag will be searched and you’ll be scanned. Also, note that you can only bring in small bags. Suitcases and large bags are prohibited.

Are the Paris Catacombs worth visiting?

I think it’s pretty obvious by now but I would say yes, the Catacombs of Paris are well worth visiting in the City of Love!

This ossuary is such a unique attraction and is guaranteed to provoke both your thoughts and emotions.

The tickets for a tour are quite expensive, especially for how small the ossuary part is but I think it’s well worth all the time and money spent.

I’ve been here twice now and never fail to be amazed by this bone collection and the creative ways that they have been displayed. There’s also lots of history to uncover with your audio guide.

Don’t skip a visit to the Catacombs of Paris, it’s a creepy but fascinating experience you won’t regret.

Paris Catacombs FAQs

Can you take photos inside? Yes, you can take photos and videos but don’t use flash.

Is there a dress code for the catacombs? No. There’s no specific dress code but I would pack a layer as it’s quite cold down there. Also, wear sensible shoes as the ground is sometimes wet and uneven.

How many people have died inside the catacombs? One person who was Philibert Aspairt in 1793. You see, the bones here are a mass grave of bodies taken from various cemeteries around Paris. All those interred died before the catacombs were even created.