Paris Tours
Skip-the-Line Paris Catacombs Special Access Tour
4.5
LIKELY TO SELL OUT*

Skip-the-Line Paris Catacombs Special Access Tour

By Walks
Recommended by 92% of travelers
92% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
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About
The Catacombs of Paris are a network of former quarries under the city, converted into ossuaries beginning in the late 18th century. Stacked with millions of skulls and bones, the underground cemetery contains 2,000 years of history. Explore the one-of-a-kind underground city of the dead on this in-depth guided tour, which bypasses the entrance lines and grants special access to off-limits parts of the tombs.
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation

Ages 0-99, max of 19 per group
Duration: 2h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
More

Highlights
  • Bypass the entrance queue with skip-the-line admission tickets
  • You guide traces the underground chambers’ 2,000-year history
  • Explore usually off-limits sections, including a secret chapel of skulls
  • Pick from several start times which offer smaller group sizes

  • Skip the line access to Paris Catacombs
  • Access to special areas of Paris Catacombs
  • Expert English-speaking guide
  • At 1:30 PM, 4:30 PM, and 5:30 PM, this tour has a group size of 6 for a more intimate experience
  • Entry/Admission - The Paris Catacombs
  • Guaranteed to skip the lines
What's not included
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel Pick-Up/Drop-Off

Meet your guide in central Paris in time for your tour. To start, you can skip the long entrances lines and head straight to the tombs; depending on the tour time you selected, you'll explore with just a small group. Listen as your guide tells the 2,000-year history of space, including its start as quarries as descend into the shadowy tunnels. On this tour, you'll venture deep underground, with special access to chambers off-limits to other tourists, like a secret chapel decorated with skulls and femurs. Get a new perspective on the romantic French capital as you explore the unique civil engineering project, a ghoulish testament to Parisian ingenuity. With skulls and bones stacked in decorative piles, the eerie labyrinth of tombs is still home to the remains of some 6 million Parisians. The tour ends at the exit to the Catacombs.

Start:
  • 2 Av. du GĂ©nĂ©ral Leclerc, 75014 Paris, France
    In front of the Café du Rendez-vous, located on the 2, avenue du Général Leclerc - 75014 Paris. Your guide will be holding a Walks sign.
End:
  • Catacombs of Paris, 1 Av. du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy, 75014 Paris, France

  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Near public transportation
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 46018P6

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
  • Unfortunately, the Catacombs are not wheelchair accessible. Please be advised that there are 130 steps to the Catacombs. Unfortunately, there is no elevator access. Those with heart problems, claustrophobia, or other medical conditions should take this into consideration before booking this tour.
  • Areas visited during this tour are subject to closure. Your guide may need to modify areas visited on the day of the tour.
  • The catacombs are subject to closures due to strikes. If time permits, we will reach out to you prior to your tour. For last-minute closures, cancellations may be communicated at the meeting point.
  • Please note: This tour has a decreased group size of six people and a modified price on select days to allow for a more intimate experience.
  • Walks / Devour complies with all local government regulations. Please refer to local government guidelines for the most up-to-date information.
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 19 travelers

  • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 46018P6

From
$132.51
per adult
Select date and travelers

Similar experiences

Itinerary
  • 2 Av. du GĂ©nĂ©ral Leclerc, 75014 Paris, France
    In front of the Café du Rendez-vous, located on the 2, avenue du Général Leclerc - 75014 Paris. Your guide will be holding a Walks sign.
  • 1
    Gain immediate access to the Paris Catacombs with your skip-the-line admission. Once inside, your knowledgeable guide ushers you through the extensive subterranean network, created when Parisian leaders undertook the greatest civil engineering project of their time to address the overcrowding in their city's cemeteries. Tour the Catacombs' main tunnels to discover a city of dead beneath the City of Lights and then explore two special access tunnels.
  • 1 Av. du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy, 75014 Paris, France
About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
  • Walks
    1,488
    France
    Joined in March 2017
  • Jada S
    0 contributions
    2.0 of 5 bubbles
    Go early in they day
    Heads up they will kick you out at 6 pm. Very disappointed in this due to the fact I had a time slot reservation for 4 and didn’t get in until 4:30. This only left me an hour and a half to see everything. The staff were extremely rude and unhelpful!
    Written October 13, 2024
  • rslade11
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Versailles Tour
    We enjoyed our tour of Versailles and the grounds with Walks. The meeting point directions were easy and the company was good with communication about changes. Our tour guide, Celine, was so knowledgeable, personable and entertaining. We had to break away from the group at the gardens to get some food as our 8yo was tired and hungry but we loved our experience overall! I would definitely use this company again.
    Written October 13, 2024
  • T6635RYerinb
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The Louvre is breathtaking.
    The museum was amazing but our guide made it! Lawrence knew the most intricate details of The Louvre’s history and the paintings. She was witty, lively and it would not have been the experience it was without her.
    Written October 12, 2024
  • Ă„lan D
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    First time Louvre’ers
    Our guide was wonderful. She was engaging, animated, and shared so many interesting facts. I found her to be extremely patient and respectful of everyone which definitely stood out. We were part of the 1 or 2 pm tour on 10/5/24. I unfortunately don’t remember our guide’s name (I blame jet lag) but I hope she gets recognition by her team.
    Written October 11, 2024
  • christinabE4051AW
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    #TeamAdam
    Adam, Adam, Adam. Is there anymore to say?! He is by far the best tour guide I have ever had- beyond superb. This tour was so much more than I ever expected. It was a lousy rainy day, but the experience is unforgettable. All made possible by our expert, intelligent, dynamic, charismatic, and witty guide Adam. Could never thank him enough for sharing his knowledge, engaging the group, and teaching us about this beautiful city and its rich history and culture. For a one day tour you hit many of the highlights which is a plus. I highly recommend this tour to anyone wishing to know more about Paris beyond its surface.
    Written October 10, 2024
  • abbymD7008RF
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Falling in love with Paris
    TEAM ADAM for life!! It rained the whole day but I wouldn't of changed anything Adam shared his passion and knowledge but most importantly his love for Paris and the arts. This was an unforgettable experience Adam challenge our thoughts and perceptions, he taught us to respect the culture embrace it and have fun if you have the chance to spend more time with Adam in the Louve do it my only regret was not being in Paris longer
    Written October 9, 2024
  • mcbirman
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Walk with Violette - great experience!
    Had a lovely morning walking tour with VIOLETTE who was just as pleasant as she was knowledgeable about Paris and the tour spots. It was a rainy morning, but Violette brought the sunshine with her positive attitude and deep historical knowledge. Would highly recommend this tour, which comes with a voucher for a river cruise you can take at your leisure.
    Written October 9, 2024
  • valeriehC3609WB
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Amazing experience with Louvre and Mona Lisa
    This tour was amazing, completely due to our wonderful guide, Adam. Adam not only gave us a wonderful overview and insight into the Louvre and several of its most beautiful pieces, beside the Mona Lisa, but actually armed us with knowledge for future visits to other museums around the world. Logistically this tour was a breeze…you are whisked away into special entrance halls and security lines that only these types of tours can access. In addition Adam’s knowledge of guiding us in a way to avoid crowds and giving us the best viewing of art work/sculptures, made it just another reason this tour was so well worth it. Ending at closing with Mona Lisa with only a small group, was the finale on top of a wonderful experience. Plus we exited just in time to explore Paris and it’s night life. If you are debating about booking this, do it! Team Adam all the way!
    Written October 9, 2024
  • shannonrQ8920TX
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Awesome Paris in a Day trip with Simon
    My husband, 21 year old son and I did not have a lot of time in Paris for our first time and wanted to experience the highlights of this incredible city. Simon was our guide and he was awesome! He moved along at a great pace and the breaks were strategically placed during the day so that we didn’t get too tired along the way. We loved Simon’s stories and history knowledge that he shared along the way. He also gave us time to take photos at different places to remember the trip. Visiting the Louvre was an amazing experience, including Simon’s knowledge of lines that had less waiting time to enter the museum. If we were by ourselves, we would have waited for hours to enter the museum. If you only have a short time in Paris, I would highly recommend this tour and Simon as your guide. It was an experience that me and my family won’t forget.
    Written October 8, 2024
  • 261brittnip
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Team Adam for Life!
    All I can say are two words - TEAM ADAM! This was such a fantastic tour and experience led by our exceptional guide Adam. Everyone deserves the opportunity to have Adam lead their tour. Witty, hilarious, kind, generous, incredibly knowledgeable and interesting, simply 10/10 recommend this tour to anyone as a beautiful introduction to Paris and The Louvre. Thank you, Adam!!!❤️❤️❤️
    Written October 8, 2024
  • 695chand
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Orsay museum and an incredible guide
    The Orsay museum is amazing. And we have an incredible guide. Pierre Daveux is very joyfull and diligent in his work. I recommend him
    Written October 7, 2024
  • tonymB7561MS
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Fun filled day of facts and sights
    Would not hesitate to recommend this tour to any first time visitor to Paris. This is an excellent way to see some of Paris’s highlights in one day. Our tour guide, Emanuel, was very knowledgeable and helpful, particularly in Louvre, where he also worked. The tour was well planned and spent the right amount of time at each location. We decided to return on another day to do the river cruise, which the flexible ticket allowed for. The only suggested improvement would be to allow for more rest room stops as public facilities were not always available or operational.
    Written October 7, 2024
  • SwearByPez1
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Do not miss this tour!
    This was an incredible day. I cannot recommend the experience enough! The entire day was well-timed. Early entry to the museum was an unexpected luxury, as it gets quite crowded. Karen B, our guide, helped us navigate Paris and Giverny with ease. She had remarkable storytelling, and genuine enthusiasm for her teachings. She made everyone feel comfortable and welcomed our questions. It was wonderful to see the work of those who inspired Monet and his fellow impressionists at the museum. Traveling to Monet’s house was remarkable, as the countryside and his gardens are beautiful. You will be captivated and well informed on this tour.
    Written October 7, 2024
  • Jayne B
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Wonderful!
    Nancy was an amazing tour guide! She shared relevant info about each work we saw and also used modern references to help us understand. She got us through the crowds and gave us tips to get better views.
    Written October 5, 2024
  • Toni W
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Perfect way to see Versailles.
    Excellent tour guide. She was thorough, filled with history and human stories and you could tell she really loved what she was doing. I would take a tour with her again!
    Written October 5, 2024
See all 1,488 reviews
These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles278 reviews
Excellent
244
Very good
12
Average
6
Poor
1
Terrible
15

These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
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Stay630923
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Couples
Julia was a fantastic guide! We took the metro to our check in location and the group was easy to find. We chose a small group tour of 6 people max which made it easy to hear and see everything. The special access to two private areas was completely worth the price and Julia's sharing of the history and background of each section on the catacombs was informative and fascinating!
Written January 15, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello Stay630923, Thank you a lot for the feedback. We are grateful for your kind words about our guide Julia. It's nice to know you were fond of her insights and stories. We always strive to ensure that our guests leave with fond memories of the tour! We are looking forward to welcoming you again soon. Warm wishes, Andrii
Written January 31, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Iginijus V
7 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2024 • Solo
Had a great experience in the Catacombs. Tour guide Angel has done an amazing job. Super knowledgeable in history and provided a lot of interesting information. Experience was not dull as Angel incorporated humour in some aspects as well, which made the whole experience very lively. Catacombs themselves are also very interesting. Angel provided some fun information about the network of the catacombs, all the tunnels, and funny stories of their use and discoveries within.
Highly recommend visiting and splashing out a little extra to visit restricted places as well.
Written August 17, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi there, Thank you for sharing your fantastic experience in the Catacombs! We're thrilled to hear that Angel made your tour so engaging with his knowledge and sense of humor. It’s great to know that you found the Catacombs both fascinating and lively, especially with the added insights into the hidden tunnels and stories! If you enjoyed this tour, we highly recommend our Paris in a Day experience, which includes visits to the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, a guided city walk, and a scenic cruise. It's the perfect way to explore more of Paris' rich history and iconic landmarks in a single day! We hope to see you on this adventure soon! Kindly, Andrii Walks & Devour Tours
Written August 20, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

madelinekhays
Chicago, IL4 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2022 • Friends
I absolutely loved this tour! I was so impressed with how our guide knew so many details about the history of the catacombs and different aspects of each room. I preferred doing a tour like this to buying a ticket directly at the museum because she was able to answer questions we had and it was a much more engaging experience. I recommend you bring layers and good shoes because you are very cold at the end of the two hours and there are TONS of stairs and uneven walkways.
Written November 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Bonnie D
2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2023 • Family
Leo was an exceptional tour guide. She was knowledgeable and her delivery of the content was entertaining. You could tell she has a passion for the catacombs and it made the tour come to life (even though much of what we discussed was death itself). Her blending of catacomb history with the larger historical events in France put everything into context and we were able to take things from her tour and see them in other places we visited (like Versailles). I would highly recommend a tour with Leo again.
Written January 27, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear bonniedZ5512NI, We are so grateful that you took the time to share your feedback with us. Our team will be happy to hear that their hard work has paid off. Kind Regards, Julia
Written February 8, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Eugene L
perth17 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Would not hesitate to recommend this tour to others. Our guide was knowledge, well organised and shared plenty of interesting insights about the catacombs that we would have otherwise missed. Skipping the line saved a lot of time too especially with the 100 person limit at one time
Written November 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Shaun T
Southend-on-Sea, UK1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2022
After having been really fascinated by the Catacombs of Paris, I finally managed to get out there and book a tour of it. We were Greeted by Michelle outside of the entrance and guided around a small section of the Catacombs.
Michelle was really cool and informative; a great guide to have!
The tour is a real eye opener to the history of Paris and well worth the visit if you are interested in the city's history and bones. Many, many bones.
Just to say you have been there is somewhat cool.
Thanks again to Michelle!
Written October 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Maria W
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2023 • Family
Leo was a phenomenal guide - so knowledgable and passionate about the history of the catacombs. We learned so much from her, especially with her notebook of personally curated archives and pictures that she personally researched herself! The tour was so much better than simply going on our own and looking about. WIth Leo we learned about the history of the site, the people buried there, the stories and continued relevance of the place even until today! Can't say enough good things about Leo and the tour.
Written November 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello I3020XRmariaw, We appreciate you taking the time to provide us with your experience. We are delighted to learn that the tour was to your liking. It's an honor and pleasure to have guides like Leo on our team! We are thrilled to know that their knowledge, insights, and stories helped you get the most out of the tour. We are looking forward to seeing you in the near future. Best, Andrii
Written November 27, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Lourdes R
2 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2024 • Couples
Tip: take the normal ticket.

The visit was very entertaining but I have not seen any differences between our €120 visit and the normal visit with audio guide that costs €30. I have felt cheated.

1) We were a group of 25 people, with the guide (super clever by the way) speaking English.
2) At the entrance it says that you skip lines, but there was no one in line and we were able to enter without a problem. (Stop by 12:30).
3) the route inside the catacombs is practically the SAME. They open a couple of doors halfway down the road to enter “secret places,” but they are the same hallways you've been seeing for a while, nothing special.
4) When the guide finished the explanations, I was left with a strange feeling, since I expected him to take us to the real “secret places”, which is why I paid that entrance fee.
Google
Written March 7, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hola, Thank you for sharing your experience! We’re glad to hear that you found the visit entertaining, but we’re sorry to hear that it did not meet your expectations in terms of exclusive access and content. First of all, we aim to provide a personalized experience, and we’re glad you found our guide accommodating. Secondly, the skip-the-line feature is designed for busier times, so it’s great to hear you could enter promptly. Additionally, we strive to make the special access areas distinct and will review this to ensure it’s a unique experience. Your expectation of accessing truly “secret places” is completely understandable, and we apologize if this was not clearly communicated. We take your concerns seriously and will look into the points you’ve raised to enhance our tour offerings. Thank you for visiting, and if you have any other concerns or questions, please contact me at feedback@walks.org! Kindly, Andrii Walks & Devour Tours
Written March 8, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Michael H
13 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jemma was our guide. She made the visit interesting and fun. She also talked about her experiences through out the tour. I also like that Jemma reminded us what we were walking through and acted respectful at all times. I cannot imagine doing the Catacombes any differently
Written September 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sara B
Philadelphia, PA2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020 • Friends
The Special Access Tour is well-worth the extra money. You get to skip the line (long even in January), you get access to places that the regular tour doesn't go, the tour guide gives you context for the catacombs and their features in the larger picture of Parisian/French history, and you get to ask as many questions as you like. Anatole was our tour guide and he did a great job. Highly recommend this activity.
Written January 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking a moment to tell us about your Catacombs tour! We're glad that you enjoyed your time peeling back the layers of Parisian history with us.
Written January 21, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.

Skip-the-Line Paris Catacombs Special Access Tour provided by Walks

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