Love tours of history. Check to make sure your headset thing works before you walk away. Wear comfortable shoes. Go to the bathroom before you go down. Enjoy your tour read more

Sobering experience that my entire family will not soon forget. It is impossible to walk away from the Catacombs of Paris without a reminder that death comes to all and the fragility of life even when we think otherwise. This message was communicated to us powerfully from the beginning of our experience at the catacombs. The man at the door checking tickets was the quintessential picture of death. His shirt had a logo from the American Road "Route 66" which is a highway that used to be a main thoroughfare, but is now simply an irrelevant dead road. Beyond that, he was expressionless, he spoke three languages and chose to use none of them. I watched two girls who didn't have tickets ask him about a purchase and he simply disconnected the station and pointed for them to exit the line. No other solution was given, a lot like death. Bravo to those who put this man in this position as he immersed us in the experience from the beginning. When you come to the catacombs be ready for a sobering experience from the very beginning! 10 out of 10! read more

Definitely a cool and unique experience! Was in Paris for the first time and it was pretty hot, as soon as we started walking down the stairs to the catacombs it got colder. It's dark down there but there's enough lights to get through. Lots of cool shapes were arranged using the skulls. Watch your heads, water droplets sometimes fall. And there are a lot of stairs down as well as on the way up to get out, totally worth it though! read more

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Wow is a complete understatement for this self guided tour. The walk was like almost a mile or something, very easy to do underground even with spiral stairs. Waited in line about 3 hours to get in. All to find out there was a reserved line I should have been in which would have only been 10 minutes. I did have good conversation with others while waiting in line which made it enjoyable and went by fairly quickly. The view of the Catacombs was pretty overwhelming to try imagine that time era and what was happening. Probably my favorite thing to visit in all of Paris. read more

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I visited Paris in November 2021 and went to see the Catacombs of Paris on a Wednesday. We bought tickets online in advance and showed proof of vaccination at the door. First and foremost, get READY to walk down A LOT OF spiral stairs. I felt dizzy walking downstairs but it was reasonable since we had to go way down. When you get to the bottom, where the catacombs are, you're kind of free to do your own tour and take your time looking at whichever area you'd like to. It was surprisingly how long we had to walk through the tunnels but the end was worth it. It was surreal to see the stacked bones. It was a great visit and I would recommend to anyone visiting Paris. But keep in mind that those stairs you had to walk from, you have to use to walk back up so if you are unable to walk up/down the stairs that much, keep that in mind and be prepared. Also the tickets were about 14 Euros per adult but if you are from neighboring EU country and are between 18-26 years old, you can pay 12 Euros read more

Les Catacombes de Paris - Local Flavor Near Me - Paris, 75

Last minute tickets can sell out, so purchase tickets in advance. This was such a fascinating experience. I highly recommend it! read more

Les Catacombes de Paris - Catacombs - Local Flavor Near Me - Paris, 75

Wow this is definitely a once in a lifetime, must do/must see visit while in Paris. Had we missed it I would have totally been bummed. I just can't even believe how many skeletons, skulls, etc line the entire underground of Paris. The self-guided audio tour was very informative. We purchased tickets online a couple of weeks before our trip and I would suggest doing this. When we arrived there were people waiting in an hour-long line just to get in. read more

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Personally, I'm not big on this type of attraction but my niece wanted to go so I sucked it up like a champ and went. After a security check to enter and walking down what it seems like a million stairs (some exaggeration here) It was a great experience. It was cool to learn the history of the catacombs. And it was entertaining to walk through the underground tunnels of Paris. But the amount of stairs to walk down and up may make it difficult for those with physical difficulties which is something to keep in mind before purchasing a ticket. And I found it disturbing that there was a security check at the end to make sure people didn't take any bones from the Catacombs. Like why would anyone do that ! read more

This is a macabre tour but really fascinating. My fiancé and girlfriend loved it. The audio guide is spot on and easy to use. It's a lot of walking and the stairs leading in and out are a tad arduous. Ten stories of a tight spiral staircase that make me super dizzy. Price of admission I guess. read more

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A must do while in Paris. We visited with a tour guide and I'm glad we went that route. The history of the tunnels is beyond interesting. and they were very important to the construction, and politics of modern Paris. Money well spent. read more

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A slightly creepy but otherwise interesting way to learn more about the city. Warnings: - Avoid the obscenely long lines by ordering your tickets online, in advance. -This excursion requires a lot of walking, including a 130+ spiraling stair descent (and subsequent ascent at the end) into the catacombs. -If you are over 5'8, traversing certain parts of the catacombs will be a little uncomfortable as the ceilings are quite low in several sections.... don't forget to bend those knees! -If you are mildly claustrophobic, brace yourself because the first section is quite narrow. If you are moderately or severely claustrophobic, it's best to avoid this excursion all together. -This is an excursion best suited for children over the age of 10. The entire excursion is about 60-90 minutes. After clearing a security checkpoint, each guest is given an audio guide in their preferred language which provides a helpful narrative and backstory of the catacombs. There are black and white placards on the wall bearing numbers that tell visitors which section of the narrative to tune in to, but unfortunately those signs are small and fairly easy to miss. Right before the entrance to the ossuary, there is another section that has text in English, Spanish, and French, detailing the history of the ossuary and how the remains of more than 2 million Parisians came to call this place home. The bones are arranged in simplistically efficient (and in some places even artistic) arrangements. It wasn't as uncomfortable as I thought it would be to walk through this section. It's a little wider than the initial entrance, and it takes about 10 minutes to walk through the different skeletal arrangements. Once you get to the set of bones arranged in the shape of a barrel, prepare yourself for the 130+ ascent to street level. Once at the top, there's a small gift shop on your right that has a couple of cool things inside, so be sure not to miss that. read more

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A very very cool experience..... Some things you see on TV just needs to be experienced in person. This is one of them for sure. If your in Paris this is can't miss. read more

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Les Catacombes de Paris tour is a must when you're in Paris! I highly recommend buying the priority ticket at a designated time to avoid waiting in line. I bought our tickets online prior to the trip which made it easier for us when we checked in at the place. I must say there is a huge line for regular tickets. If you have time to wait then you'll be fine. We got our tour at 4pm. We waited in line for about 10 mins and began the tour. The ticket we got came with audio, so we were able to go on our own pace and listen to all of the histories per stalls. Please note that there is a winding staircase to go down, which made me dizzy but it's doable. The space is 24 meters down the city. Also, if you are claustrophobic, you may want to skip this tour. Once you go down, the hall is narrow and dark. Overall, I loved this tour because you get the history of Paris and why the catacombes are there. It is fascinating. I highly recommend taking this tour. read more

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This was super interesting and I absolutely loved visiting the Catacombs! Warning : numerous flights of stairs descending and ascending to enter and exit the Catacombs! This is not disabled friendly at all. This is not Disney! To my knowledge there is no elevator access to the Catacombs. With that being said this is a wonderful historical experience. You will see numerous partial skeletons. However, don't worry there is zero foul smell. I have been wanting to tour the Paris Catacombs since seeing the movie, "As Above, So Below". The entry and queue is on a street corner adjacent to a small building. Be sure to buy your tickets online well in advance. The constant temperature underground is comfortable. Be sure to wear shoes with a good traction; avoid sandals as there is only rock, pebbles and sand to walk on underground. read more

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Probably the coolest tour I had ever been too and creepy! The lines were so long when me and my party of 3 came. We must have been waiting in line for over an hour and it seemed like it was taking forever because the line was barely moving! If you decide to visit here when in Paris, be sure to already have tickets for a set time, so you can beat the crowds. My sister searched their website and we ended up paying extra to get out of line and move ahead of people. It saved us more time waiting in line because we had dinner reservations we were going to miss if we didn't go in when we did. Once we got in we were given these necklaces that had a speaker on it, so when we reached a certain point we could hear what the recording would teach us about the area. Each area was marked by a number as we passed by it. It was so dark and smelled like a basement, because we were literally under the ground. It had a creepy feeling and there were cold spots in there. There was so much walking to go through and the tour lasted about 45 minutes. It was so cool seeing and hearing about the types of things that happened in between those walls. We eventually made it to the crypt area and it was lined with real skulls! It was so creepy knowing they were real and we were basically face to face to them. I actually wondered what these people looked like who were piled up in the stacks of bones and skulls. It was a bit morbid and creepy but definitely something I had never done in my life! read more

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un peu de creepy, if I'm 100% honest. but also interesting and great for when you want to have an Indiana Jones moment. Theres even a restaurant across the street called "Indiana Restaurant" that took us a minute to figure out the connection. we had an audio guide but I was kind of more interested in looking at the actual displays. The bones are separated - like rows of femurs and rows of skulls and then designs made out of the skulls. artistry and efficiency. Theres just soooooo many bones it's a little overwhelming. And this is only a small fraction of the bones (that you can see) under the city. This was on my list of top attractions i wanted to see in paris so we bought tickets ahead of time for when the site opens at 10 but there was still a bit of a line. Note that theres a ton of stairs (100+) going down and up and it's a wee bit chilly down there. read more

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Though a little creepy and morbid, this tour is far more than just walls and stacks of bones. It was an amazing and unforgettable experience to walk through the tunnels and see history. Paris has a network of tunnels spanning over 200 miles and this tour provided a glimpse of only a small portion it. We opted for the guided tour of the catacombs. Our group was only 12 people and we were able access parts of the tunnels that are not available to self-guided tours. The tour required a lot of walking and standing. Our guide explained the history behind the construction of the Catacombs, the mining efforts, and the symbols and markers used to identify various corridors. The tunnels were narrow and we constantly found ourselves leaning against the wall to let another group through. Keep an eye for a corridor with the words "Arrete c'est ici l'empire de la Mort" (Stop! Here lies the empire of death). This is the entrance to the bones. Be very careful when walking through this section. I've seen people accidentally bump into the bone walls. Workers painstakingly stacked bones from over 6 million bodies. There are parts that currently being re-stacked due to the bones toppling over. We even saw the famous Barrel, which was bones stacked to look like a barrel. Overall, this tour was worth it. I recommend walking shoes with good traction grip and warm clothing. We skipped the line by ordering our tickets in advance online. The whole process was easy and we were able to select the time and tour type. I also recommend taking the guided tour for a complete walk-through on the history of the catacombs and private access to other parts of the tunnel. Finally, the walk-up the spiral stairs after the tour is long. So take your time and use the handrails. read more

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Part of travel is learning - learning things about other culture and learning things about yourself. I learned a LOT here. First, know that this is a popular stop. You have 3 choices: lazy (buy a reserved time online and pay 2x as much), cheap (pay less but potentially stand in lines for hours) or efficient (show up 30 minutes before they open). We chose efficient - it was a good call as we were among the first group in and we had a nice breakfast from the bakery across the way while we waited. Second - know that there is no disabled access. You'll walk down a long spiral stairway to get down and go up a long stairway to exit. In between is about 1km of walking on slightly uneven ground. Wear good grippy shoes as some areas were a bit damp. The tour starts through a long tunnel - you maybe walk 1/3km before you get to the actual necropolis. Before that there will be some placards to read about the history of the tunnels and burials. Finally - know thyself. I didn't expect to be freaked out but in true horror movie fashion I wandered a bit ahead of my group by mistake. I looked back and realized that I was all alone. I mean, except for the 6 million dead folks piled all around me. So I thought, "there are people ahead of me, I'll just catch up with them". Yeah - no - there weren't actually. So I panicked a bit and power walked through 2/3km of bones all alone, because I am stupid. When I got up the exit, I FLEW up those 8 flights of steps, popping out much like a fat, panicky champagne cork. 15 minutes later my group exited.... So, overall it's an interesting thing they have going on here and if you enjoy nightmares forever you should check it out. read more

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We took a private, skip the line tour, and I would not recommend it more. Our guide, Michelle, was amazing. She was funny when it was appropriate and reverent when called for. She was incredibly knowledgeable and made the whole experience even better. To imagine that there are close to 198 miles we didn't get to explore is mind boggling. I could see how easy it would be to get lost down there. I have looked forward to this part of our Paris trip since buying our airfare and I was not disappointed. read more

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Who in their right mind would want to go to a mass burial underground? At first Les Catacombs de Paris was definitely NOT on my list of must visit places in Paris. But a friend encouraged us to visit the catacombs so we decided why not. Apparently this is on of the most visited attractions in Paris. I'd recommend purchasing your ticket in advance online or through your concierge because the wait can be hours long. On the day we visited, the wait was 3 hours! Once inside, you descend a spiral staircase for what seems like forever. While temps drop a little, it's not that cold if you ask me. Initially we didn't see any remains. The black line drawn on the ceiling seemed ominous but apparently it was to help workers fin their way out. Then after walking about 10 minutes you start seeing remains neatly stacked in various ways. Seeing the first few skulls gave me chicken skin. They say that approximately 6 million people are buried here to make room above ground. So cemeteries were relocated to the limestone caves underground. Seeing stacks and stacks of bones makes you feel somber and realize life is fleeting. After some time, the stacks of bones start to become repetitive. I did see a tour group get special access to a restricted area. I'm guessing there are a few areas worth paying extra to see. It's easy to let your mind wander while exploring the various nooks and crannies of the catacombs. I've probably watched one too many horror movies but I was always happy to see the folks who work for the catacombs. It somehow gave me reassurance everything was going to be ok. Once you reach the stack of bones that looks like a large round column, you've reached the end of the catacombs. Climbing the spiral stairs up did require some effort but honestly I was just anxious to get above ground. While I'm glad we visited the Catacombs of Paris, one visit is enough for me! read more

I read a few reviews before coming but didn't see any mention of the line. It's insane! We came 1030 Tuesday am (shortly after opening) and still had to wait an hour. It was way worse after we were done. Buy your tickets online well in advance if you can. If you haven't locked down a schedule for your trip, just go really early (preferably a bit before 10) Still this was a really cool site. I couldn't believe how many bones were stacked down there. The stairs/ walking isn't bad at all unless you never exercise. I'm about 6'2 and found the height a bit restrictive although I only bumped my head once while using a camera and walking. Didn't get the audio guide so the whole thing took us about 45 min at a fairly quick pace win lots of photo stops. I personally don't think the audioguode is necessary... there's plenty of written descriptions about what's going on. Kids are free! read more

Les Catacombes de Paris - Long lines - Local Flavor Near Me - Paris, 75

Took Metro full of smelly locals from Notre Dame to Denfert, and it took about 20 minutes to find the Catacombs.  Twenty meters below the streets, it took thousands of dead bodies to finally get away from the smell above.  The remains of SIX MILLION Parisians lay there in the vast network of galleries.  If I had a dollar for every one, I could make a handsome, robotic crimefighter in a red tracksuit. By 1130, cemeteries were so full that the long dead were exhumed and packed into the roofs and walls. By 1786, Paris began to eliminate cemeteries, moving remains from graveyards through the city in covered wagons. Apparently, the ghost of the smell lingers today. It was open to the public in 1874 and has since remained the city's greatest bone-related attraction. It's a must-see, make no bones about it. I said "bones" because there are bones down there. Random facts: A doorkeeper got lost. He was found 11 years later. No, they didn't find him with a long, comical beard- he was dead. His tomb is there where they found his body. Leave a trail of croissant crumbs. During World War 2, the tunnel system was used by the French Resistance. I assume it was resistance to deodorant. The Nazis established an underground bunker below Lycée Montaigne, a high school in the 6th arrondissement. They loved that school because of the books, which they found to be very flammable. During 1974, the film The Holes was set within the Catacombs. Not to be confused with Sigourney Weaver's Holes. The movie, I mean. read more

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Wow, this was one of my favorite spots to visit in Paris. Definitely book in advance online because it sells out. We used the audio guide, which isn't quite as nice as a real tour guide, but it has a ton of interesting information, and you get to take your time exploring the catacombs. Be sure to wear comfy walking shoes, because there's tons of stairs to get down, since the catacombs are actually below where the metro line goes. There's also tons of stairs going up at the exit. They search your bags at the entrance and exit. I got pretty dizzy going down the stairs at the entrance since it's a spiral staircase. This was the most skeletons I've ever seen in my life, and yes, they are real. There's plenty of lighting, so I didn't find these catacombs quite as creepy as the ones in Rome. There are restrooms at the entrance and at the exit as well. It helps to bring headphones if you're using the audio guide, or otherwise you'll have to hold the audio device up to your ear during your visit. Definitely recommend coming here to learn about the history of Paris! read more

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One of the coolest tours in Paris, the catacombs is a must see! Located just a bit south of the Luxembourg Gardens and right off a Metro stop, the catacombs contain a tour of the underground tunnels and burial grounds / bones of the deceased. You can purchase your tickets online that come with an audioguide where you can be up to date on some of the history during your hour long walk under the streets of Paris. Creepy, cool, and interesting, definitely worth a visit! Best, Charlie read more

Les Catacombes de Paris - Local Flavor Near Me - Paris, 75

This has to be one of the most unique and different things you can do while on vacation. Take a long, winding staircase 132 steps underground to a seemingly endless maze of tunnels filled with the bones of over 6 million souls? Yea. Sure. Sounds like a fantastic idea. I could go over the details of the how, what, when, and why of it all, but the internet is your friend and you can look it up and find out for yourself fairly easily. PRO TIP: All the information I was reading on the internet before arriving in Paris indicates that the Catacombs close at 8:30 pm. This can be a bit misleading because they actually let the last paying customers in at 7:30 pm since the tour can take 45 minutes to an hour. So get there with plenty of time to spare (because there WILL be a line!) or pony up the extra cash for the skip the line passes. We got there at 6 pm figuring there was plenty of time to get on in, but we were literally the last 2 people who were allowed in that day after waiting in line about 90 minutes. I didn't find out till later that you don't need to pre-purchase the skip the line passes online, but you can do it right there in person. Just speak to the guys at the front. Prices for adults were 13 euros each just to get in. Not sure how much more the skip the line pass is since we did not purchase them. As for the actual tour its self, as you would expect it was very creepy and interesting. It gets pretty muddy down there and there is water dripping down on you from an all-too-low ceiling as you navigate your way through the winding tunnels. There are several displays that are set up with special designs and signs marking what year that collection of bones was moved there. Very eerie, but also very interesting history of it all! I think I was more creeped out by the odd people who were taking selfies of themselves leaning up against the stacks of bones! I didn't want to actually touch any of them, much less lean my whole body up against them! On one skull we saw a fresh pair of lips in lipstick on the forehead area! W.T.F? The tour only lasts for about 45 minutes to an hour, but is well worth checking out! This was a fascinating experience that I'm pretty sure I will remember for the rest of my life. 5 stars. read more

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What a cool, unique experience - right in the middle of Paris! This is definitely a history buffs dream come true. It's about an hour long if you don't stop too much and continuously walk through, with a few photos or stops throughout the walk. VERY interesting and informative. I can't believe I missed it the first round in Paris. A bit creepy... as it is a bunch of skulls underground. A must visit - if I'm being honest, I prefer it over The Lourve. BUT I am more of a horror fan than I am an art/history fan. read more

If you're a science/history geek like me you'll really enjoy visiting the catacombs. I didn't read reviews before we hopped in a taxi to come here. We were greeted to a 3 hour long line, around 11am. Luckily I was able to purchase tickets from my phone (through fattiretours.com) while we were waiting to skip the line. We hopped off the line and picked up the tickets at a nearby tobacco shop. You will pay more for the tickets but the time saved is invaluable. We paid 37 euros a ticket versus the 13 euros a ticket but the price included an audio guide. Leave your large backpacks at home/hotel they are not allowed inside. There are 130 steps going down a steep spiral staircase to get to the catacombs. The floor is uneven in spots and the ceiling is low in several spots. My 5'3" self was fine but my 6' husband had to watch his head. Make sure to wear comfortable, close-toed walking shoes. You will walk for about 10 minutes until you get to the actual catacombs. The audio guide was great to have and really explained a lot. If you're not getting the audio guide I would definitely suggest a guided tour. Otherwise you'll just be looking at carefully placed bones for an hour. Once you're done exploring head back up the 83 step spiral staircase to the gift shop and bathrooms. This exit will leave you blocks from where you first entered. read more

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The Catacombs of Paris are underground ossuaries that hold the remains of more than six million people in a small part of a tunnel network built to consolidate Paris' ancient stone mines. There are more bones than you could possibly imagine here! Bring a camera that works well in low light situations, and you will get some amazingly creepy shots. Also, we pre-booked our tickets and bypassed all of the line. I think this is a little more pricey to do, but well worth it if you have a lot to see in a short amount of time. read more

Les Catacombes de Paris - Catacombs - Local Flavor Near Me - Paris, 75

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It's just creepy and amazing at the same time. What a great experience walking thru this.

If this place isn't haunted, then ghosts don't exist! The remains of more than 6 million people are interred down here, and the limited section of catacombs you are allowed to explore on the tour is only a small fraction of the labyrinthine warren of tunnels that exist. Reckless adventurers have wandered off the marked paths, become hopelessly lost, and died in the dark, adding yet another tragic tale to the chronicle of woe that is written in bone below the streets of Paris. The sights (and sounds) of thia morbid ossuary will chill you to your bones and haunt your dreams until the day you die. Be sure it isn't down here, though...even if they have the extra room. read more

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Booked timed entrance and audio guide tickets online and made sure to bring printed copies as instructed. When we arrived, I was so, so thankful that we had booked ahead because there was quite a line to even attempt to purchase tickets. If you have already purchased tickets, there is a separate line so keep an eye out. Once inside, be prepared to walk through a metal detector and also open up your bag for inspection. You will receive an audio guide, but they do not hand out earbuds (if you happen to have them from a Big Bus tour do hang on to them because they come in handy in situations like these). You will walk down 100+ stairs to reach the start of the tour and, well, you'll also walk 100+ stairs up to get back to the surface. It's not incredibly strenuous, this coming from someone who is pretty sedentary, but keep it in mind. It was in the 80s/90s when we visited last week so the coolness of the catacombs was so appreciated. If you take a moderate amount of time to walk through while listening to the audio guide, it should take you about an hour (this accounts for some quick photos). You aren't allowed to take flash photos, but there are lamps so do snap photos of bones and other features that have been illuminated. I saw one couple actually use flash, but that was a minor transgression since they did that AND picked up a skull... ugh. All in all, this was a wonderful tour and I learned a lot! read more

Stayed across the street from the catacombs and it wasn't on our list of things to do in Paris but it was raining and we decided to go. It was very interesting and kind of creepy. Not your typical catacomb but more like a burial place or collection of bones. read more

Another experience that I will never forget. My daughter and I spent a week in Paris. We went to at least three cemeteries. I'm not sure how we decided to visit the Catacombs. Someone must have suggested this since we are typically preoccupied with Death! The experience did not frighten me. I was fascinated by the historical significance. The number of dead is staggering. It is not a place for someone like me with Claustrophobia. I didn't realize the extent I was underneath the ground until it was time to return up. The stairs are narrow and only one person can pass at a time. This makes ascending rather slow. That's when my anxiety kicked in! If I remember correctly it's 80 steps. I can't express how relieved I was to reach the top and exit. My daughter said that given the opportunity she would do it again. I said "absolutely not with me ". The bottom line. I would not trade this memory for anything. Absolutely one of the best adventures in my life. Definitely a peak for this vacation in Paris. If you're in this beautiful city you must go. I have beautiful photos of the neighborhood where it's located also. It's mind blowing! read more

What a unique, although slightly creepy, experience! Pro tip: Purchase advanced tickets online for first thing in the morning. Get in the advanced ticket line 15 or so minutes before opening and you'll pretty much have the place to yourself before the hoards of tourists arrive. No one will be in your picture except you and the bones (and maybe some ghosts?!?). read more

Truly a one if a kind experience. Do come in early, buy your tickets ahead of time via internet to skip lines. We arrived for the 10am self tour with the free audio tour and we had a blast for 90 minutes exploring all the underground caves and taking pictures. Flash photography is prohibited, they have security staff in areas down in the alley way so be aware. Overall if you have a good outlook into curiosity and you like mystery, this place is for you. Keep in mind that you will come across lots of bones, skulls along your travels. It is dark and humid down in the caves. Some areas can use more light as you will be walking on stone and cobble paths once you descend to the actual caves. read more

Les Catacombes de Paris - Hallways underground caberns lined up with bones and skulls - Local Flavor Near Me - Paris, 75

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This attraction was the only thing that I really wanted to do this trip to Paris. Pretty poor experience overall. It started with the audio guide which you should get because there is nobody to explain things otherwise in this self paced Of course, I didn't check to see if it worked first and had to go back up the 82 steps and back down again and then only to discover that their numbering system is totally off. Then we walked forever through the quarry before seeing any bones. Not what I had expected. Indeed you are entering the Empire of the Dead! The bone church in Czech Republic is much better! read more

A very interesting place. It was crazy to see that there were so many tunnels underneath Paris and the setup of the museum was very well done so that it would be easy to learn the history without having to buy the audio guide or book a tour. I enjoyed my time there and it was truly a eye opening experience. read more

Les Catacombes de Paris - Underground tunnels - Local Flavor Near Me - Paris, 75

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The catacombs are something I've longed to see for myself. They go on for over 300 miles under Paris, and if you're not careful you get lost forever. However, no need to worry about that here, as this is more of a museum tour. First, buy your tickets in advance otherwise you're going to be in line for about 2 hours and it goes around the block. We had tickets and still had to wait about 20 or so minutes. Once in, you go down a long spiral staircase of doom and you then begin your journey. Make sure to pick up the audio guide as it's rich with a history lesson explaining the history of the catacombs as well as all the bones down there. Apparently Paris was full of corpses and the mass graves were spilling out to the point where hundreds of decomposing corpses burst out of a mass grave and went into the neighboring houses! Yikes! It's pretty cool down there, but it was refreshing for us, because of the heat wave. It takes about an hour so don't expect to be down there all day. Overall, a fun experience for sure. read more

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I highly recommend purchasing the guided vip tour. This way you don't need to wait in the long line and you will see restricted areas reserved only for vip and learn a lot! We had our 14mo with us which went fine, definitely bring a baby carrier though. There will be lots of stairs and uneven paths, but not too terrible. A bit cold and damp so keep that in mind when prepping with little one. I did have snacks & a bottle for our kiddo and they didn't say anything about it or take them at security (they check bags). read more

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The catacombs were something I was just slightly aware of until I started planning my trip this spring. This kept popping up and it looked interesting to me. I purchased a tour through Viator and at 1 PM, our group skipped the line and walked right in. Our guide was very knowledgable and it added to our understanding of why, how, and when plus all the other questions that arose as we were going through. It's about a mile and a half walk starting with 200+ stairs going down. Then there's a walk through some limestone corridors until you get to the entrance where the bones were neatly stacked over a period of years. AT the end of the tour, you have the 200+ stairs in a different spot to ascend and then a walk back to the starting point to get the Métro. This certainly wouldn't be a tour for a physically challenged person. If you do not use a guide, get the audio tour or read up a lot on what you're seeing. Looking at room after room of skeletal parts are meaningless unless you know why this was done. I'm glad I put this on my to do list. As someone else said, it's a once and done trip. I really couldn't see any reason to go back a second time unless you were taking someone with you and you wanted to share your knowledge. Photos are allowed but they ask that you do not use flash. Near the end, there's an area that's well lighted. I was stunned by the couples that needed to take a selfie of themselves with the bones in the background. Is it that important to show your friends that you were here amid the bones? I just don't get the whole selfie thing. read more

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