Catacombs (Les Catacombs)
- Address:1 Avenue du Colonel Henri Roi-Tanguy
- Hours:Open Tues - Sun 10am - 5pm
- Admission:€ 8-12 for adults
Off-the-Beaten Path, Photography, Catacomb, Cemetery, Monument - Historical
8:37 PM Sunday, May 27
Clear. Pleasantly warm.
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In 1785, Paris decided to solve the problem of its overflowing cemeteries by exhuming the bones of the buried and relocating them to the tunnels of several disused quarries, leading to the creation of the Catacombs, basically corridors stacked with bones. They are 65 ft (20m) underground and contain the remains of six million Parisians. During WWII, the tunnels were used as a headquarters by the Resistance.
The route through the Catacombs begins at a small, dark green Belle Époque-style building in the centre of a grassy area of av Colonel Henri Roi-Tanguy, the new name of place Denfert Rochereau. The exit is at the end of 83 steps on rue Remy Dumoncel, southwest where a guard will check your bag for 'borrowed' bones.
Latest Reviews All Catacombs (Les Catacombs) Reviews »
A fantastic experience, very easy and organised our guide was wonderful and full of knowledge, thankyou
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My friend and I took this tour last week. It was outstanding. I would definitely recommend the skip the line. The line was all the way around the block as far as I could see and they only let 25 people enter at a time. So I am assuming you could be there for hours based on that line. This was my second favorite sight to see on my trip after Versailles. You definitely must be in shape enough to navigate the stairs going up out of the catacombs. I had to stop very briefly twice on the way up. But I would do it again. A definite must see sight if you are visiting Paris!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Laura was extremely knowledgeable and was very skillful in presenting the material. We enjoyed it very much.
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Denfert-Rochereau metro station is on lines 4 and 6. It is also on RER line B so, if you're brave enough, it's easy to get to the catacombs. There are 1.25 miles (2 km) of tunnels and a visit lasts about 45 minutes. You might have to wait if it's busy because numbers allowed in at once are limited. Take something warm to wear.
