A live guide, a group of seven at most, and gates unlocked into parts of the ossuary regular visitors never see.
- Free cancellationFree cancellation up to 24 hours before; missed tours are not refunded
- Duration2 hours
- Starting timesShown when you check availability
- LanguagesEnglish
The Paris Catacombs restricted access tour costs $212 per person and is a two-hour visit with a live English-speaking guide, entrance tickets and fast-track entry included, in a group of seven people or fewer. Its point is the access: the guide opens gates into parts of the Catacombs that are closed to visitors on a standard ticket, then walks you through the main ossuary as well. It is run by Memories France, starts outside the main entrance on Place Denfert-Rochereau, and on GetYourGuide it holds 4.9 out of 5 from 533 reviews, one of the two highest scores among Catacombs tours with real review volume. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before.
Book Catacombs TicketsKey facts
restricted-access-tour- Duration
- 2 hours
- Starts
- Shown when you check availability
- Meeting point
- Outside the main entrance gate on Place Denfert-Rochereau; go straight to the door, not the queue, where your guide waits
- Price
- $212 per person
- Entry ticket included
- Yes
- Languages
- English
- Group size
- 7 people or fewer
- Accessibility
- Not accessible to wheelchair users or people with limited mobility: 130 steps down, 112 up.
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before; missed tours are not refunded
Included
- ✓ Entrance ticket with fast-track entry
- ✓ Live English-speaking guide
- ✓ Access to areas closed to the public
- ✓ Small group of 7 people or fewer
Not included
- ✗ Audio guide
- ✗ Hotel pickup
- ✗ Luggage storage
Meeting point
1 Avenue du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy, 75014 Paris, France
Nearest transit: Metro lines 4 and 6 to Denfert-Rochereau, exit 1; the entrance is across the street
What restricted access means here
Restricted access means your guide unlocks gates into sections of the ossuary that are closed to anyone on a standard timed ticket. The listing does not name the rooms, and they vary with what the Catacombs authorise on the day, so treat them as a bonus on top of the main route rather than a fixed itinerary. You still walk the 1.5 km public route, with a guide explaining what you see instead of an audio track.
Group size and the guide
Seven people or fewer is the smallest group of the restricted-access tours with real review volume; the larger competing tour caps at 15. All ten of the latest reviews name the guide and praise them, several saying the small group let them ask questions throughout. Some reviews mention the tour running past two hours because the guide kept going, which is worth knowing if you have a dinner booking.
Entry and the 200-visitor cap
Your entry is fast-tracked: you skip the queue of ticket holders waiting for their slot. The Catacombs allow only 200 visitors underground at once, and when the limit is reached staff hold the line; the operator says a delay for its small groups should not exceed five minutes. Meet at the entrance door, not at the back of the line.
Who this tour is not for
The tour descends 20 metres, with 130 steps down and 112 up, through passages that are narrow in places. The operator states it is unsuitable for wheelchair users, people with limited mobility, cardiac or respiratory problems, or claustrophobia. The tunnels stay around 14 °C and can be slippery, so wear sturdy shoes and a warm layer. Luggage and large bags are not allowed.
Is it worth $212?
Against the €31 official ticket, about $35, you pay roughly $177 more for a guide, a tiny group and doors that stay shut for everyone else. If the history matters to you and you want to see more than the standard route, that is the case for it. If you only want to see the walls of bones, the audio-guide ticket shows you the same main ossuary for a fifth of the price.
| Tour | Price | Group | Duration | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Restricted Access Tour (this page) | $212 | 7 or fewer | 2 hours | 4.9 (533) |
| Guided Tour: Skip-the-Line & Restricted Areas | $279 | 15, or 7 semi-private | 2 hours | 4.68 (408) |
| Guided Tour with Restricted Rooms | $200 | Not stated | 1.5 hours | 4.84 (84) |
| Special Access Tour | $156 | 14, or 6 on some times | 2 hours | 4.67 (1,025) |
What reviewers consistently say
- 10 of the 10 latest reviews praise the guide by name
- 3 of the 10 latest reviews single out the small group
- 1 of the 10 latest reviews notes the tour ran over 30 minutes long
Who should not book this
- Wheelchair users and anyone with limited mobility
- People with claustrophobia, or cardiac or respiratory conditions
- Visitors who only want the main ossuary: the audio-guide ticket covers it for far less
-
Paris Catacombs Guided Tour: Skip-the-Line & Restricted Areas
$279if you want a semi-private group of up to seven booked as one option, or need more spaces in one booking
Check availability -
Paris Catacombs Guided Tour With Restricted Rooms
$200if you want the named rooms: it lists two restricted chambers including the Crypt of Passion, in 1.5 hours
Check availability -
Paris Catacombs Guided Tour with Special Access
$1564.7 1,025 reviews
if $156 suits the budget better and a group of up to 14 is fine
Read the full page
How to book
Pick a date and start time and book; you can reserve now and pay later, and cancel free up to 24 hours before. On the day, go to the entrance door on Place Denfert-Rochereau rather than the queue, where the guide meets the group. This site may earn a commission on bookings at no extra cost to you.
This site may earn a commission on bookings at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked questions
Which restricted areas does the tour visit?
The listing does not name them: the guide unlocks sections closed to regular visitors, which depend on what is authorised on the day. The rest of the visit follows the main ossuary route.
How big is the group?
Seven people or fewer, according to the listing.
Are entrance tickets included?
Yes. The price includes the entrance ticket with fast-track entry, so you do not need to buy an official ticket as well.
Can I cancel?
Yes, free up to 24 hours before the start. A missed tour is not refunded.
Is the tour in English?
Yes. The listing gives English as the tour language.
Sources