VIP Paris Catacombs Tour: Exclusive Access to Restricted Areas & Skip-the-Line Entry

Explore the hidden depths of the Paris Catacombs on an exclusive VIP tour. Skip the line and gain access to restricted areas, including the Sacellum Crypt, for a unique and immersive experience.

Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 2 days learn more
Highlights
  • The Paris Catacombs - Why wait in a long line to see less of the Catacombs? Your guide, an English-speaking local expert, will lead your group straight past the lines and down into the 200-mile labyrinth of bone-lined galleries and former quarry tunnels. An inscription at the entrance reads
    Arrête! C’est ici l’empire de la mort, or Stop! Here lies the empire of death. In this eerie empire, you’ll encounter the remains of such dignitaries as Rabelais and Robespierre, among more than 6 million other former Parisians.

While individual ticket holders must remain on the public routes, your guide will lead you off the well-traveled path. As well as other significant remains, like the hidden Gilbert’s Tomb, here you’ll find monuments to those who made their living in the empire of death. In the Port Mahon Gallery, you’ll see sculptures that an 18th-century quarry worker spent five years chiseling secretly from the tunnel walls, before being crushed in a cave-in. You’ll see the Quarryman’s Footbath and the Sepulchral Lamp, whose constant flame reassured the living that there was enough air in the tunnels.

As you wind your way around the Catacombs, you’ll hear all about the history of this parallel city – and the many legends surrounding it. Once you’ve seen what lies just 65 feet below the city, your view of Paris will be forever changed.

What's Included
  • Local English-speaking expert guide
  • Special access to restricted areas closed to general public
  • Skip-the-line access and visit to the Parisian catacombs
  • Small groups to ensure an intimate experience
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
  • Food and drinks, unless specified
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
Additional Information

Embark on a journey beneath the streets and Metro passages of Paris into the Catacombs, where the quantity of skeletal remains vastly exceeds the metropolis’s living inhabitants above. This intimate group expedition provides Skip-the-Line Admission and permits entrance to sections of the Catacombs that are otherwise restricted to single visitors, enabling a richer exploration. Unique views include the Sacellum Crypt, the place where bones received a blessing prior to their placement in the tunnels.

  • Not wheelchair accessible.
  • We regret that we are unable to accommodate pushchairs or strollers on our tours.
  • Please note that Special Access areas may be closed on some days.
  • Not recommended for travelers with claustrophobia
Location
Catacombs of Paris
Avenue du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy
Meet at the entrance to the Catacombes de Paris. He/She will be holding a sign. To arrive at the Catacombs by Metro please take Line 4 or Line 6 to the Denfert-Rochereau metro stop and exit using “Sortie 1”; the entrance to the Catacombs can be found directly across the street from this exit.
Cancellation Policy

If you cancel at least 2 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.

Customer Ratings
4.6
(1027 Ratings)
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Jessiec652
Aug 29, 2024
Fun and historical - Kritika was a wonderful guide. She knew the history well and added bits of humor along the way. The tour was perfect in length and fun diversion from the typical Paris hotspots.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Katie_m
Aug 24, 2024
Amazing, couldn't be happier!! - Our tour guide Vic and was amazing, I couldn't have been happier with the experience! The Catacombs is something I have always wanted to see and have always been fascinated by so this was the first thing I booked before our visit to Paris. Vic explained everything extremely well and definitely knew her stuff. The restricted areas were fab and were definitely worth the extra money to see. Everything was explained in detail and it was an incredible place to go, I'm so glad I chose to do the guided tour over the audio tour as it just felt more informative and personal. Couldn't recommend this experience enough. I'm absolutely over the moon! :))
Review provided by Viator
Kenny_c
Aug 23, 2024
Awesome learning experience - So worth it. The guide was extremely informative and insightful. Learned a lot about the catacombs. The guide kept our attention the entire time and time flew.
Review provided by Viator
143friggi
Aug 22, 2024
Must do if visiting Paris! - We had Victoire (vic) as our guide, she was amazing. Absolutely worth every penny. You get so much more than just a 1.3km walk, you get immersed in the history and entertained by her stories. She was extremely knowledgeable and the catacombs are fascinating! Be aware that you will need to be able to walk down approx 131 stairs and back up 111 stairs to exit. Bathrooms available before the tour. You spend a big part of the tour in special tour only areas you won't get with the regular pass.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rebecca_b
Aug 21, 2024
Great tour! - This tour was amazing! I wish I wrote down the guides name because she was so good! Very informative on the topic of the Catacombs and made the whole tour great. Being able to see the Special Access sections was especially interesting.
Review provided by Viator
Don_b
Aug 14, 2024
Wow! - This was one of the best experiences we had on our trip to France! Our guide Victoire was an amazing source of facts and anecdotes! It was fascinating and gave us insight into Parisian history, that we otherwise would have never known. 10/10
Review provided by Viator
Allison_c
Aug 4, 2024
Great tour - The tour was excellent with really interesting history. Our guide Kritika was great and made it really interesting for our entire family.
Review provided by Viator
Robbfamily4
Aug 2, 2024
Great tour - recommend - Really good tour, great tour guide - Kritika. Thoroughly recommend. Very informative. We all enjoyed it! Scary stories!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Allison
Aug 2, 2024
Amazing tour - Kritika our guide was amazing. We really enjoyed the tour and learned a lot about the catacombs. I highly recommend this tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
G8004ihcamilleb
Aug 1, 2024
10/10 - Excellent tour with access to private parts of the catacombs!! Our tour guide Victoire was extremely knowledgeable, answered all of our questions, and was funny/entertaining to listen to. The 2 hours flew by, highly recommend and would take the tour again!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
September 2024
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