Paris is a city deeply rooted in history, art, culture, romance, and glamour. A few popular attractions that usually come to mind when we think of the City of Love are usually Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, Notre Dame de Paris, and more, but there is so much more to Paris than these popular monuments.
A creepy, eerie, and open graveyard located 20 meters under the streets of the city, the Paris Catacombs is your best bet if you’re looking for an offbeat, out-of-the-box experience to remember forever. The Catacombs are home to the remains and graves of over 6 million Parisians dating back to the 1700s. Learn more about this quirky attraction on a Paris Catacombs tour! Here’s what you should know.
The Paris Catacombs may not be as popular as the Eiffel Tower or other tourist attractions in the city, but it offers a unique experience to those visiting the site. We’ve listed a few reasons why you should take a Paris Catacombs tour.
The Port-Mahon Corridor is a replica of the Port Mahon Palace located in Menorca, Spain. Francois Decure, a French quarryman who was imprisoned at this palace in Spain when he was a soldier, sculpted it on a limestone wall by memory and later died on the same spot while working on an access stairway for visitors. The corridor is one of the most beautiful and fascinating sculptures on display inside the Paris Catacombs.
The Ossuary is one of the creepiest sections of the Catacombs because it contains the remains of over 6 million Parisians dating back to the 1700s. There are piles of skulls and bones arranged in symmetrical patterns along the entire stretch. You will also find the Barrel of Passion, where the remains of the deceased have been arranged or put on display in the shape of a barrel.
It is also spooky because of an entrance sign that bears a creepy inscription saying, “Arrête! C’est ici l’empire de la Mort”, which, in English, means, “Stop! This is the Empire of the Dead”. This inscription is the first thing you’ll notice when you enter the Catacombs Ossuary.
The Quarryman’s Footpath is hundreds of years old. It is named after the quarrymen, who used the footpath inside the Catacombs long before the graveyard had defined pathways, stairways, and tunnels. The quarrymen used this footpath to get water for construction purposes as well as to clean themselves up after finishing work for the day. Get a glimpse of different kinds of altars, tombs, plaques, as well as several skulls and bones arranged in symmetrical patterns.
One of the most interesting points of attraction inside the Paris Catacombs is an underground well with water that is deep turquoise in colour. This well served as the source of water for the quarrymen, who worked inside the Catacombs. Surprisingly, the well still contains enough water despite being centuries old.
One of the first things you notice before entering the Catacombs is the entry sign. The main Catacombs network is ominously marked to warn you of the macabre ambiance inside. The entrance to the ossuary bears a haunting inscription, saying, ‘Arrête! C’est ici l’empire de la Mort’ which can be translated to ‘Stop! This is the Empire of the Dead’.
Right in the (so-called) heart of the Catacombs lies the ironically-titled prime attraction, the Barrel of Passion. Located in the Crypt of Passion area, prepare to spot a symmetrical, barrel-shaped structure that is made entirely out of skulls and bones. Its size is massive, which can be seen clearly since it holds up the roof as a support system.
A. Yes. You can pre-book your Paris Catacombs tour online now.
A. Yes. You can book a Paris Catacombs tour here.
A. You can book a Paris Catacombs tour online.
A. A Paris Catacombs guided tour costs €119.90.
A. There is only one type of Paris Catacombs guided tour available. This tour also includes a skip the line feature.
A. The Paris Catacombs tour includes a visit to attractions inside the graveyard like the Ossuary, Quarryman’s Footpath, Barrel of Passion, Port-Mahon Corridor, and Underground Well.
A. The Paris Catacombs guided tours are available in English.
A. The Paris Catacombs tour covers all major points of interest inside the Catacombs like the Ossuary, Port-Mahon Corridor, Underground Well, Barrel of Passion, and Quarryman’s Footpath.
A. The Paris Catacombs guided tour has a maximum capacity of 19 guests. However, you can upgrade your ticket to a semi-private tour for a more intimate experience as well as access to a few restricted areas of the graveyard.
A. Yes. The Paris Catacombs tour is worth it because it is the best way to explore this eerie, complex, and spooky attraction. You gain more knowledge about the graveyard on a guided tour than by yourself.
A. Yes. The Paris Catacombs guided tours include skip the line access.
A. Yes. You can get a full refund on canceling your Paris Catacombs tour 72 hours before the scheduled date.
A. The Paris Catacombs tour is 2 hours long.
A. There are 131 steps to go down to the Catacombs, and 112 to climb up towards the exit.
A. No. There are no discounted tickets for the Paris Catacombs tour.
A. Individuals aged 14 and above can opt for a Paris Catacombs tour; children between ages 10 to 14 must be accompanied by an adult. The attraction recommends that the following groups of people avoid visiting: those with a motor disability, pregnant women, individuals with claustrophobia or any respiratory or cardiac-related health issues, children under the age of 10.