
Paris Catacombs Tour with VIP Access to Restricted Areas
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 48 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.6/5
Based on 1,101 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Paris Catacombs Tour with VIP Access to Restricted Areas worth booking?
Paris Catacombs Tour with VIP Access to Restricted Areas is a 2-hour experience in Paris, France, from $179 per person. It scores 74 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.6/5 rating across 1,101 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 48 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 74 / 100
- Rating
- 4.6/5 (1,101)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $179 per person
Venture below the avenues and Metro tunnels of Paris and into the Catacombs, whose population of skeletons far outnumbers the living city above. This small-group tour includes access to areas of the Catacombs that are no
What you get
- Local English-speaking expert guide
- Special access to restricted areas closed to general public
- Small groups to ensure an intimate experience
- Guided visit of the Paris Catacombs
About this experience
Venture below the avenues and Metro tunnels of Paris and into the Catacombs, whose population of skeletons far outnumbers the living city above. This small-group tour includes access to areas of the Catacombs that are normally closed to the general public, giving you a deeper and more immersive experience. Exclusive sights include the Sacellum Crypt, where bones were blessed before beginning their rest in the tunnels.
What's included
Included
- Local English-speaking expert guide
- Special access to restricted areas closed to general public
- Small groups to ensure an intimate experience
- Guided visit of the Paris Catacombs
Not included
- Gratuities
- Hotel pick-up/drop-off
- Food/Beverages
What you'll see and do
The Paris Catacombs
Your guide, an English-speaking local expert, will lead your group into the 200-mile labyrinth of bone-lined galleries and former quarry tunnels. At the entrance, an inscription reads, “Arrête! C’est ici l’empire de la mort” – “Stop! Here lies the empire of death.” Here, you’ll see remains of dignitaries like Rabelais and Robespierre, among over 6 million former Parisians. While standard visits stick to public routes, your guide takes you beyond the usual path. Discover hidden sites like Gilbert’s Tomb and the Port Mahon Gallery, where an 18th-century quarry worker secretly carved sculptures over five years before a tragic cave-in. You’ll also see the Quarryman’s Footbath and the Sepulchral Lamp, whose flame reassured workers that the air was safe. As you explore, your guide brings to life the history, legends, and mysteries of this underground world. After this journey 65 feet beneath Paris, you’ll never see the city the same way again.
120 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Paris
Meet at the entrance to the Catacombes de Paris. He/She will be holding a sign. To arrive at the Catacombs by Metro please take Line 4 or Line 6 to the Denfert-Rochereau metro stop and exit using “Sortie 1”; the entrance to the Catacombs can be found directly across the street from this exit.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Meet at the entrance to the Catacombes de Paris. He/She will be holding a sign. To arrive at the Catacombs by Metro please take Line 4 or Line 6 to the Denfert-Rochereau metro stop and exit using “Sortie 1”; the entrance to the Catacombs can be found directly across the street from this exit.
Options you can book
Semi Private Tour - English
Semi-private tour with 7 people or fewer for a more intimate experience
Small Group Tour - English
Guided tour with a small group of 15 people or fewer
Before you book
- Cancellation
- If you cancel at least 2 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- City Wonders Ltd
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Not wheelchair accessible.
- We regret that we are unable to accommodate pushchairs or strollers on our tours.
- Please note that Special Access areas may be closed on some days.
- Not recommended for travelers with claustrophobia
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 1,101 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
6 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
1,101 verified traveler reviews for Paris Catacombs Tour with VIP Access to Restricted Areas. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great time with Matilda
Matilda was great. She was very nice
via Tripadvisor
The underground mine and...
The underground mine and ossuary were phenomenal — stunning, respectful, and unforgettable. A must see for anyone visiting in Paris. Saeed, our guide, was incredibly knowledgeable, and the tour itself was absolutely worth the high price and the difficulty of getting tickets. They sell out instantly, often a week in advance, and you cannot buy them at the entrance. The entrance staff above ground were the only bad part of the experience. They were openly rude, refused to help with tickets, answered everything with “I don’t know, you should have sorted it before you got here,” and told people it was impossible to get tickets on the day. When I explained my data wasn’t working, I was told “that’s not my problem,” and a guard even pushed me back when I asked for help with my phone. Everything below ground was extraordinary; everything above ground was the problem.
via Viator
Cool thing to do in Paris with teens...
We paid A LOT of money for this tour to avoid having to book while we were traveling. I was hesitant because of the price and because there are apparently so many fraudulent tickets out there. I am very glad we booked this tour. It was very interesting and gave my teens something different to do in Paris. Everyone enjoyed it. I'm pretty claustrophobic and I was fine (other than the nightmare I had after the long flight home that I was trapped down there and no one could find me). Book it!
via Viator
We really enjoyed our...
We really enjoyed our tour with Saeed! He was informative, engaging, and told some good stories. We went to a couple of areas that aren’t accessible to the general public as well.
via Viator
An Unforgettable Catacombs Tour with Michelle!
We had an absolutely incredible experience on the Paris Catacombs Underground Small Group Tour with Michelle. She was truly exceptional—without question one of the best tour guides we’ve ever had. Michelle’s knowledge of the Catacombs was remarkable, but what made the tour so memorable was how she brought everything to life. She seamlessly blended history, fascinating stories, little-known facts, and the broader history of Paris in a way that kept us engaged from beginning to end. You could tell she has a genuine passion for both the Catacombs and the city itself. The small group setting made the experience even more personal, allowing us to ask questions and really immerse ourselves in this extraordinary place. We walked away not only amazed by the Catacombs but with a much deeper appreciation for Paris and its rich history. If you’re considering a Catacombs tour, don’t hesitate and if you’re lucky enough to get Michelle as your guide, you’re in for something truly special. Thank you, Michelle, for making this one of the highlights of our trip to Paris! 🇫🇷
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 48h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
- Price range
- $179 to $259
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 385
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 74
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Paris Catacombs Tour with VIP Access to Restricted Areas: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Paris.
How much does Paris Catacombs Tour with VIP Access to Restricted Areas cost?
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Prices start at $179 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Paris usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Paris Catacombs Tour with VIP Access to Restricted Areas take?
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Plan for about 2 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Paris is not rushed.
Is Paris Catacombs Tour with VIP Access to Restricted Areas worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 74 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.6/5 across 1,101 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in Paris, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Paris Catacombs Tour with VIP Access to Restricted Areas?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 48 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Paris Catacombs Tour with VIP Access to Restricted Areas suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Paris Catacombs Tour with VIP Access to Restricted Areas?
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Around 385 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Paris can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Paris and add a light layer if any part of the 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Paris Catacombs Tour with VIP Access to Restricted Areas start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Paris within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Paris?
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Paris rewards travelers who book ahead. The headline museums sell timed entry weeks out, the best food walks cap at eight people, and the Seine cruises that are worth doing are the ones that leave after sunset. Everything below is scored by the Outty Ranking so you can tell a genuine local favorite from a coach-tour filler in a single glance. On Outty we rank every Paris experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Louvre Museum Essential Guided Tour Semi Private 6 GUESTS MAX, Louvre Museum Premium Guided Tour 6 GUESTS MAX Entry Included, Paris City Center Free Walking Tour (Tip-Based). The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Paris?
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April to June and September to October, when queues thin out and terraces stay open late. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Paris?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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