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Paris Catacombs Attraction

The Paris Catacombs

The City of the Dead Beneath the Living

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All About the Paris Catacombs

What’s more intriguing than 6 million skeletons chilling beneath the streets of Paris? Back in the late 18th century, the city was drowning in corpses, literally piling up everywhere. Enter Louis XVI—yes, the Louis who died by guillotine—who kicked off a project in 1776 to tackle this grim situation.

Just two years before, a massive sinkhole reminded Parisians of some old, abandoned tunnels on the city’s outskirts. These tunnels, dating back to the 14th or 15th century, were originally used for burying the dead. Louis had a brilliant idea: let’s move the bodies underground and reinforce these tunnels to make sure they don’t cave in again.

A trip to the Paris Catacombs is unlike any other adventure, and with our guide, you’ll be prepped for the wild legends and the chilling reality of these underground caverns.

Paris Catacombs Tickets, Hours, Tours & More!
Tickets, Hours, Tours, and More!
6 Things to See in the Paris catacombs
6 Things Not to Miss
Difference Between Rome and Paris Catacombs
Legends & Myths!
Where are they?
Where to Stay Near The Catacombs

The interesting part about this entire project has to do with the Catholic Church. Tampering with the dead is a real “no-no”. According to dogma, your body is extremely important to your journey into the after-life. Bodies had to be moved from Saint-Innocents cemetery to the underground ossuary under cover of darkness not to upset the community and church.

Imagine you went to visit Grandma one day and her grave was gone with a note that said, “We’ve moved locations! You can find us stacked up with millions of other bodies in the Municipal Ossuary.” It would be quite upsetting but the powers that be needed to take action. The graves in Paris were overflowing, and the city was growing. There’s so much to learn about as you explore beneath Paris and the best way is with a local guide who knows all about these famous catacombs.

Top Catacombs & Paris Tours

girl pointing to barrel of catacombs bones

Likely to Sell Out

Paris Catacombs Tour with Secret Rooms & Privileged Access

Our VIP skip-the-line tour grants you direct access to this underground world, plus entry to secret rooms closed to the general public. With an expert guide sharing dark history and eerie legends, you’ll explore Paris’s most unique attraction up close—without the usual wait or ticket stress.

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Paris Catacombs Tickets Skip the Line

Likely to Sell Out

Skip the Line Paris Catacombs Tickets

Paris Catacombs tickets are a pain to secure, with daily limits and famously long waits leaving many visitors disappointed. Our skip-the-line tickets ensure you don’t miss out—bypass the line and head straight into the eerie, maze-like tunnels.

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Top Rated

Secrets of the Louvre Museum Tour with Mona Lisa

The Louvre’s expansive layout and many entrances make it easy to miss its greatest works if you don’t know where to look. We take you straight to the masterpieces with a friendly local guide who shares the Louvre’s secrets

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All Paris Catacombs Tours

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