Paris Catacombs Tour with Restricted Areas
At a glance
Paris Catacombs Tour with Restricted Areas is a 1h 30m small-group experience in Paris, France, operated by The Tour Guy. Travellers rate it 4.7 out of 5 across 90 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor. Prices start from $239.36 per person, and free cancellation is available. Included: Expert, English-speaking guide, Visit to the Barrel of Passion in the Crypt of Passion, Timed-entry Paris Catacombs tickets.
Highlights
- Small group of up to 19 people for a more personal experience
- Free cancellation for flexible planning
Quick facts
- Duration
- 1h 30m
- Group
- Small group, up to 19 travellers
- Languages
- English
- Pickup
- Meet at the start point
- Confirmation
- Instant confirmation
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation (see policy)
Overview
The Paris Catacombs release only a limited number of tickets each day, making them one of the hardest sites in the city to enter. This tour solves that with pre-reserved timed entry, so you can head inside without a worry.
An expert, English-speaking guide leads the way through a labyrinth of bone-lined tunnels, sharing the dark history of how forgotten limestone quarries became the resting place for millions of Parisians.
Along the route, walk past walls of skulls and femurs arranged into crosses and archways, and you stand before the Barrel of Passion in the Crypt of Passion.
The highlight is privileged access to two restricted chambers, closed to the general public, where a guard unlocks the iron gates for your small group.
With reserved entry, eerie legends, and rooms most visitors never see, this is one of the most memorable ways to experience underground Paris.
What's included
What's included
- Expert, English-speaking guide
- Visit to the Barrel of Passion in the Crypt of Passion
- Timed-entry Paris Catacombs tickets
- Access to 2 restricted chambers
- Exploration of the lower Catacombs
Not included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Gratuities
Itinerary
-
Stop 1 · 1h 30m
Meet your guide near the Catacombs entrance at Denfert-Rochereau and get ready to head far below the city. Descend the long spiral staircase into a maze of tunnels first carved as limestone quarries in the Middle Ages, later used as burial chambers when the city's graveyards overflowed.
As you walk the bone-lined corridors, you'll see skulls and femurs stacked floor to ceiling and arranged into crosses, hearts, and archways, while your guide explains how the remains of millions came to rest here.
Next, stand before the Barrel of Passion in the Crypt of Passion, the most striking arrangement underground, and hear the tale of a secret midnight concert once held in these tunnels. The highlight comes when a guard unlocks the iron gates to two restricted chambers closed to the general public, where your small group sees rooms most visitors never reach.
The tour ends deep inside the Catacombs, with free time to linger and explore at your own pace before you exit to street level.
Meeting point
Please Arrive 10 Minutes Early. Your guide will meet you in front of Café Oz (3 Place Denfert-Rochereau), near the exit of the Denfert-Rochereau Metro. A representative will be there holding a sign with ''The Tour Guy'' on it.
Good to know
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- The Catacombs are confined and lined with human bones, so the atmosphere may feel unsettling for guests who are claustrophobic or sensitive to enclosed spaces.
- This tour involves descending and climbing a long staircase and walking through uneven underground passages.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Paris Catacombs Tour with Restricted Areas take?
The experience lasts about 1h 30m.
How much does it cost?
Prices start from $239.36 per person. The final price depends on the date, time and number of travellers, and is confirmed on Viator before you pay.
What's included?
Expert, English-speaking guide; Visit to the Barrel of Passion in the Crypt of Passion; Timed-entry Paris Catacombs tickets; Access to 2 restricted chambers; Exploration of the lower Catacombs.
Where does it start?
Please Arrive 10 Minutes Early. Your guide will meet you in front of Café Oz (3 Place Denfert-Rochereau), near the exit of the Denfert-Rochereau Metro. A representative will be there holding a sign with ''The Tour Guy'' on it.
Can I cancel?
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Which languages is it offered in?
It is guided in English.
Is it worth it?
Travellers rate it 4.7 out of 5 across 90 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor, which places it among the top-rated experiences in Paris.
