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Seeing the bones of millions of former Paris residents might not immediately spring to mind as a top activity in the City of Light. Which is even more of an ironic moniker considering to see these human remains you have to go underground through a dimly lit rabbit warren of tunnels. And yet it is ridiculously popular. So is it worth visiting the Catacombs in Paris, or is this morbid attraction over-hyped?
What Are The Catacombs of Paris?
Paris as a growing city also ended up with a growing population of dead people. Cemeteries were close to homes in the city, and residents were getting concerned about proximity, and of diseases. Paris officials came up with another option.
In the 18th century it was decided that a mass excavation of inner-city cemeteries would move human remains to former quarries. These became the Catacombs of Paris, deep underground and outside of the (original) city limits.
The Catacombs are also known as ossuaries (rooms piled with bones of already deceased and decomposed humans). The Catacombs in Paris is the largest ossuary in the world. In 1787 they began transporting the bones to this site, and around 20 years later it was opened to the public.
Where Can You Find The Catacombs of Paris?
The Catacombs of Paris main entrance can be found at: 1, Avenue du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy – click here to find in Google Maps.
The Metro station Denfert-Rochereau is very close to the entrance – here you can access Metro lines 4 and 6, and the RER-B.
You can easily reach the following major Paris sites without changing trains on at least one of the above train lines:
- Eiffel Tower – Line 6, Bir-Hakeim station
- Notre-Dame Cathedral – Line 4, Cité station
- Gare de l’Est – Line 4, Gare de l’Est station
- Gare du Nord – RER-B, Gare du Nord station
TOP TRAVEL TIP: Be aware, the entrance to the Catacombs of Paris and the exit are in different spots. The exit is 700m up Avenue René Coty, away from Denfert-Rochereau.
WHAT OTHER PARIS ATTRACTIONS ARE NEARBY?
The Jardin du Luxembourg, Pantheon and Marie Curie museum are the closest popular Paris attractions. But don’t be fooled, everything in Paris is usually a little further than you think. We’ve all been guilty of the “it doesn’t look that far on a map” moment in Paris. Save your feet, take the Metro.
Interested in trying some delicious food before/after your visit? I recommend taking a stroll down Rue Daguerre and it’s market-like street. There are yummy food stalls in the open market, delightful bakeries, and worldly cuisine.
Experience the globe in one street, but my suggestion would be Darkoum Cantine Marocaine. The Moroccan tagine, cooked in a traditional pot that keeps the food piping hot, is worth the trip out here alone.
Catacombs of Paris – Must Know Info
Looking for the quick and dirty on a visit to the Catacombs in Paris, here’s all you need to know to get you started. The most important thing is that the site is VERY POPULAR, so prepare to be flexible around the day or time you book your tour.
- REGULAR TICKETS ARE 31€ – Tickets are not sold on site, you must book online in advance;
- TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE ONLY WITHIN 7 DAYS OF VISIT – Best to keep your Paris itinerary flexible until you’ve secured your tickets;
- THE SITE IS NOT ACCESSIBILITY FRIENDLY – To access the Catacombs you must go down 131 steps and climb 112 steps to get out;
- PLAN TO SPEND AT LEAST ONE HOUR – Audio guides are available for an additional 5€, I would recommend it;
- THE CATACOMBS ARE CLOSED MONDAYS – Last admission is 7:30pm and since it’s an underground tour I’d recommend an evening tour to leave your days free for outdoor activities.
Why Is Dark Tourism So Popular?
Respect? History and learning? Or purely morbid curiosity? Everyone has their reasons, but there’s no denying that so-called Dark Tourism sites are growing in popularity. You only have to look at the sold out tickets for the Catacombs to see this.
For me, the appeal is from a historical POV. I am fascinated by these unique sites that stand locked in time, sometimes untouched for generations.
If it weren’t for the modern lights in the labyrinth that is the Catacombs, you might forget what century you were in as visitors have been coming here for hundreds of years.
Touring the Catacombs in Paris
Descending down a spiral staircase into the depths of underground Paris can feel a little creepy. But luckily for you the Catacombs will ease you in gently. You won’t see any bones for the first part of the visit, instead learning the history of the Catacombs through info boards.
You’ll proceed down dimly lit tunnels, which feel increasingly narrow the further you go. The ground is rough and uneven, the air damp. Occasionally you’ll see a street name which may seem odd, but was a good way for those who created them to find their way around the maze of tunnels.
Walls of neatly stacked bones, packed so tightly that they create mesmerizing patterns. Often you can see carved stone signs indicating which cemetery the bones were brought from and when.
I thought it would feel more strange walking around next to millions of bones from long dead Paris residents. Yet it was more interesting than scary. There’s almost a feeling that they are not real. But they are, and there are signs posted to remind you this is a place worthy of respect, and not to touch the bones.
One of the most thought-provoking information boards tells of some of the more famous eternal residents of the Catacombs. Although, their bones are mixed in with everyone else’s, stating that we are all equal in death.
One of the most famous people to be buried here: Madame Elizabeth, the sister of King Louis XVI. You may have heard of him as the last King of France, and the husband of Marie Antoinette.
The visit ends with a climb up another staircase leading to street level. Here you’ll find a gift shop with some macabre designs and interesting books about the Catacombs.
Is It Worth Visiting The Catacombs In Paris?
The site is very unique, and not at all in keeping with the romantic view many have of Paris. But is it worth visiting the Catacombs in Paris? That’s probably for you to decide for yourself.
THE PROS
- Like nothing else you’ll do in Paris
- A chance to peek into Paris’s past, like tourists have been doing for hundreds of years
- A good rainy day/winter activity and easy to get to by public transit
- Very interesting – if you like that sort of thing
THE CONS
- Probably not ideal for kids, or those who might get freaked out by the dark or the thought of being this close to human remains
- It’s not the cheapest activity you’ll do in Paris, especially for the time you spend there
- Inaccessible for those with mobility challenges, and uneven ground for the clumsy like me
Without the audio tour you might be in awe of the skeletons and bones for a few minutes, but otherwise it can feel a little repetitive. There are information panels every now and again, but a large part of the experience is just seeing the bones. The audio guide is therefore a must in my opinion. Or booking a guided tour may give you VIP access to closed off areas.
The history of the Catacombs is very interesting, including why they were created, and why people decided to visit, sparking one of the most unique tourist attractions in Paris.
I’m glad I saw the Catacombs of Paris, and found it worthwhile seeing once. I likely wouldn’t visit again though, the price especially did feel a bit steep. But is it worth visiting the Catacombs in Paris on your next trip? In my opinion it is, but it’s not the kind of place where you want to get lost.
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