The Catacombs of Paris are a world-famous underground ossuary created in the late 18th century, when the city's overflowing cemeteries were emptied into former limestone quarries; today the walls are lined with the artfully stacked skulls and femurs of some six million people, earning it the nickname 'the empire of death.' After a major renovation program begun in 2023, the site reopened on April 8, 2026 with a dramatically redesigned lighting scheme and a re-recorded audioguide narrated in the voice of Quarry Inspector Héricart de Thury. The visit is a roughly 1.5 km, 45-minute one-way walk about 20 m underground with many steps and cool air, and because of widespread ticket fraud, entry requires a timed-slot reservation booked exclusively through the official site.
The famous carved inscription above the doorway: 'Arrête! C'est ici l'empire de la Mort' ('Stop! This is the empire of death')
The artful bone walls (hagues) where skulls and femurs are arranged into hearts, crosses and geometric patterns
The new theatrical lighting from the 2026 reopening, spotlighting bone formations and carved stone details in the darkness
The Port-Mahon carvings — a miniature stone relief of a fortress sculpted by the quarryman Décure
Historic structures such as the Fontaine de la Samaritaine (a quarry well) and the sepulchral lamp
The Barrière d'Enfer entrance pavilion at Denfert-Rochereau and the geology/mineralogy displays along the route
Good to know
RulesEntry requires a timed-slot reservation and there are no on-site ticket sales. To curb fraud, slots are released only up to 7 days ahead (10 a.m. Paris time) and sell out fast, so book at exactly the release time on the official site once your date is set.
CautionFake ticket websites, resellers and in-person scammers are common. Buy only from the official site (catacombes.paris.fr / billetterie-parismusees.paris.fr) and be suspicious of prices far above face value or offers claiming availability when official slots are 'sold out.'
SafetyPickpockets work the crowds around Denfert-Rochereau station and the ticket/entry queue; carry your bag in front. Inside you descend and climb narrow spiral staircases (131 steps down, 112 up), so watch your footing.
SafetyThe underground temperature is around 14°C year-round, so bring a light layer even in summer. The visit is not recommended for people with claustrophobia or cardiac/respiratory conditions, and the site is not wheelchair accessible.
MannersThis is a genuine tomb holding six million people's remains. Do not touch the bones, keep your voice down, and while photography is allowed, tripods are banned and treating the remains as props is disrespectful.
SeasonSummer and weekends are busy and slots sell out quickly; if you want a specific day, be ready to book the moment tickets are released seven days in advance.
Practical info
The entrance is right at 'Denfert-Rochereau' on Metro line 4/6 and RER B, also served by buses 38 and 68. It is open Tue–Sun 9:45–20:30 (last admission 19:30), closed Mondays and on Jan 1, May 1 and Dec 25, and bags must measure under 40x30 cm. Prices, hours and the booking-release policy can change, so always confirm the latest details on the official website before visiting.
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