Explore the Paris Catacombs: What Really Awaits You Beneath Paris

You’ve probably imagined Paris many times before arriving.
Standing beneath the iconic Eiffel Tower, strolling through the grand halls of the Louvre Museum surrounded by world-famous masterpieces, or gently drifting along the Seine as the sun sets over Paris.

But here’s a question most travelers don’t ask themselves:
What lies beneath all of this?

Not metaphorically. Literally.

Because while Paris shines above ground, its most unsettling and fascinating story is hidden below the streets, inside the Paris Catacombs.

So, What Exactly Are the Catacombs of Paris?

The Paris Catacombs are an underground ossuary holding the remains of more than six million people. But describing them as simply “tunnels filled with bones” barely begins to capture their true meaning.

Long before they became one of Paris’s most unusual attractions, these tunnels were limestone quarries. The very stone that built the city above was extracted from beneath its streets. Slowly, silently, a hidden Paris took shape underground, carved tunnel by tunnel by generations of workers.

Then, in the late 18th century, everything changed.

Paris was running out of space for its dead.

Cemeteries overflowed. Walls collapsed. Basements filled with contaminated soil. Entire neighborhoods began to suffer. The situation grew so severe that city officials were forced to make a decision that would permanently reshape Paris.

The dead would move underground.

How Did Millions of Bones End Up Here?

Imagine this for a moment.

At night, long processions crossed Paris. Wagons filled with human remains moved silently through streets lit only by lanterns. Priests led the way. Citizens watched from their windows. Few understood the scale of what was happening.

Over decades, bones were transferred, cleaned, and carefully arranged deep inside the former limestone quarries. And this is what surprises most visitors to the Paris Catacombs today: nothing here feels random.

Skulls form walls. Long bones create patterns. Plaques mark dates and cemeteries of origin. Quotes carved into stone remind visitors that death is the great equalizer. Kings, revolutionaries, artists, and ordinary Parisians now rest side by side.

This wasn’t meant to scare anyone.
It was meant to bring order where chaos once existed.

What Does Visiting the Catacombs Actually Feel Like?

The experience starts with a descent.

One hundred and thirty-one steps down.

As you go deeper, the temperature drops to around 14°C. The noise of Paris fades. Your phone loses signal. Suddenly, the city above feels very far away.

Is it scary?
Most people say no.

Is it intense?
Absolutely.

Unlike crowded landmarks such as the Louvre Museum or the Musée d’Orsay, a visit to the Paris Catacombs forces you to slow down. You walk. You read. You notice small details carved into stone. You think. Many visitors are surprised by the quiet, reflective atmosphere and by how powerful the experience feels.

And then there is something few people realize.

Only about 1.5 kilometers of the Catacombs are open to visitors. Beyond that, the underground network stretches for hundreds of kilometers beneath Paris and remains closed to the public. During World War II, parts of these tunnels were used by the French Resistance, while German bunkers existed nearby, sometimes separated by just a few meters of stone.

Visiting the Paris Catacombs: What Tourists Should Know First

If this is your first time visiting, there are a few important things to keep in mind.

Tickets are limited and timed. You cannot just walk in whenever you want. Paris Catacombs tickets often sell out days in advance, especially during high season. Booking skip-the-line or audio-guided tickets is strongly recommended, not just to save time, but to truly understand what you’re seeing.

The visit lasts around 45 minutes to one hour. The path includes uneven ground, narrow corridors, and low lighting. Comfortable shoes are essential, and bringing a light jacket is a smart idea, even in summer.

Photography is allowed, but flash and tripods are not. And while children are allowed, some younger visitors may find the experience unsettling.

How to Fit the Catacombs Into Your Paris Trip

The Paris Catacombs work best when balanced with lighter experiences.

Located in the 14th arrondissement on the south side of the Seine, the Catacombs fit naturally into a day spent exploring this part of Paris. If you are also planning to visit the Panthéon, combining both works well, as they are in the same general area and can be visited without crossing the city.

Many travelers choose to visit the Catacombs of Paris in the morning, then return to the surface for art, light, and movement. An afternoon at the Musée d’Orsay or a relaxed Seine River cruise with tasting options creates a natural contrast. Others prefer ending the day with wide city views from the Arc de Triomphe, where Paris suddenly feels vibrant again.

It is this contrast between the underground and the open city above that makes the experience truly memorable.

Why the Catacombs Stay With You

You don’t leave the Catacombs of Paris with photos alone.
You leave with a deeper awareness, as if Paris has revealed something it usually keeps hidden.

After walking underground, places like Notre-Dame Cathedral or standing beneath the Eiffel Tower feel different. Paris stops being just beautiful. It becomes layered.

If you’re looking for unusual things to do in Paris, the Catacombs are not just another attraction. They are a reminder that the City of Light has a deep, complex history hidden just beneath its surface.

And once you’ve been there, you’ll never walk the streets of Paris the same way again.