Catacombs of Paris

The Catacombs of Paris are the underground ossuaries of the city. The city’s ossuary network, commonly called Catacombes, covers a great part of the city, but less than 2 kilometres are used for bone repository.

This site originally was Paris’ quarries (see illustration below). It is comprised of more than 300 kilometres of tunnels that are divided in two distinct hallways. The smallest one is under the 13th arrondissement and is only 30 km long whereas the second one covers 4 arrondissements (5th, 6th, 14th and 15th) in the south of Paris.

At the end of the 18th century, the common burial grounds were full, so they transfered the bones of six million people to the Catacombes. Scattered through the hallways are the remains of Marat, Robespierre and other renowned Parisians. As a whole, the arranged ossements create walls of bones, which make for an original tour.

Scattered through the hallways are the remains of Marat, Robespierre and other renowned Parisians. As a whole, the arranged ossements create walls of bones, which make for an original tour.

There are other ways inside the Catacombes, but the official entrance is located avenue du Colonel-Rol-Tanguy in the 14th arrondissement. The line can take a few hours, so you ought to reserve your ticket.

Open: Tuesday to Sunday 10am-8pm

Rates: full rate 10€,
Reduced rate 8€: 18-26 years-old,
Free: under 18, art students, unemployed.

How to get there: 1 avenue du Colonel-Rol-Tanguy 75014 Paris ;
Métro line 6 Station "Saint-Jacques" ;
Bus lines: 38 and 68.