Skip-the-Line: Paris Catacombs Tour with VIP Access to Restricted Areas
1044 Reviews
Paris, France
Likely to Sell Out hosted by City Wonders Ltd
2 hours (approx.)
Up to 15 travelers
Meet everyone at the start point
Mobile ticket
Offered in English
About
- 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
- Gratuities
- Food and drinks, unless specified
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
What's not included
Pickup point
Multiple pickup locations offered. During checkout you will be able to select from the list.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop atThe 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.
2 hours (approx.)・Admission included
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- 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
Cancellation Policy
Custom Cancellation: 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.
Questions?
Visit the Help Centre for any further questions.
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Reviews
1044 Reviews
Total review count and overall rating. We perform checks on reviews.
5 stars
827
4 stars
117
3 stars
37
2 stars
19
1 stars
44
Fun and historical
jessiec652, Dec 2024
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.
Amazing, couldn't be happier!!
Katie_M, Dec 2024
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! :))
Awesome learning experience
Kenny_C, Dec 2024
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.
Must do if visiting Paris!
143friggi, Dec 2024
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.
Great tour!
Rebecca_B, Dec 2024
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.
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