Last updated: . This update checks current Catacombs routes, tickets, and access guidance while preserving the family’s visit story. Date information added October 28, 2026.
Our original family video: 7 Million Skeletons – 7Wayfinders in Paris. The title is from our original video; the City of Paris describes the site as holding the remains of several million people.
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First published May 28, 2025. This is our family’s account of a past Paris visit. The Catacombs reopened on April 8, 2026 with a new visitor route, so use the current official pages below for access, tickets, and rules.
Our family loves a good adventure, and during a trip to Paris with our five kids, we decided to trade croissants and city strolls for something a little… unexpected. I’m a HUGE Halloween fan (I’ve termed myself the Queen of Halloween among our Portuguese friends) and love all things like this. It’s not a hard sell for me to jump on board for any “creepy” activities at all. Thankfully, my kids are pretty much all the same (the husband, not so much).
We had already gone to the Eiffel Tower, so it was time we descended into the mysterious underworld of the Paris Catacombs.
It was one of the most unforgettable highlights of our trip. Equal parts eerie and educational, it sparked curiosity, gave us chills in the best way, and led to some really thoughtful conversations afterward. I found it a bit sacred as well. To realize how many lives are represented under the City of Lights is humbling.
I am so grateful that time has been taken to organize these remains in a way we can access, even as a family! Accessing it is understandably challenging at times (more on that to come), but it’s totally worth it.
Let me walk you through what we discovered, and how you can make this Paris Catacomb Tour a fascinating (and age-appropriate!) success with your little explorers.
Beneath Paris lies the Paris Catacombs, a vast ossuary holding the remains of several million people. It occupies former limestone quarries rather than natural caves. The linked Catacombs tour listing is a separate booking option. The official history of the site explains the city’s cemetery overcrowding and quarry-safety problems.
Paris’s cemeteries, especially the Cemetery of the Holy Innocents, had become overcrowded. At the same time, abandoned quarries beneath the city needed to be consolidated after ground collapses. The Catacombs’ official history describes these as connected challenges Paris was addressing.
The first transfers began in 1785. The official history says the bones were carried at night, initially dumped into quarry wells, and then distributed and piled in the galleries. We also got the sense they were thrown down into these caverns, but let’s hope it was as respectful as possible!
The city was moving remains from overcrowded cemeteries while also consolidating abandoned quarries. The former quarry network became the municipal ossuary, later known as the Catacombs.
For a guided visit, compare the linked special-access tour with the official admission option. Check which areas the provider includes and whether that itinerary suits your children; the tour we took is described below.
This was the audio-guide ticket we chose for our group during our mid-November visit. I’m a HUGE fan of audioguides and always think they’re a great way of world schooling! The kids might gripe about it, but they learn a ton. And it keeps them more focused and slower so I can enjoy learning too, not just running through an exhibit. Win-win!
Visiting the Paris Catacombs is an experience you won’t forget, though it takes planning. The Catacombs reopened on April 8, 2026 after renovations with a new visitor route. Before planning, review the City of Paris’s reopening information and the museum’s current visitor guide. The current visitor guide says paid tickets are booked online; check the calendar and access details for your date.
Paid timed-ticket reservations open seven days ahead. Free-entry visitors follow separate rules: the museum says eligible visitors collect their ticket on site with proof and can enter with their paid-ticket companions in the same time slot. Check the venue’s current tickets online before you go.
The official page lists these 2026 individual rates: €31 for adults, €25 for eligible visitors, and €15 for children ages 8–17; children under 8 enter free. The reduced rate has eligibility and proof requirements, so review the current page before buying.
An audio guide is included with paid adult, reduced, and child tickets listed on the page. For visitors with free admission who want one, an audio guide is €5.
We went in mid-November and arrived first thing in the morning. Our group had little crowding that morning, thankfully, although some of our party got lost on public transportation and arrived late. That was our experience on one visit; season and weekday do not guarantee a quiet queue.
The venue currently lists Tuesday through Sunday opening, with Monday closures and some holiday exceptions. Check the official visitor guide linked above for current hours before choosing a day.
If you’re considering the linked Skip-the-Line Tour, read its current itinerary and compare the offered access with the Catacombs’ visitor rules.
The entrance to the Paris Catacombs is located at 1 Avenue du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy, 75014 Paris, right on Place Denfert-Rochereau. Depending on where you are staying in Paris or outside Paris, you should consider your options in advance of your visit.
We stayed with our StroudInc team in this amazing French chateau, Home Alone style. It was a truly unforgettable experience I cherish. For us, it was about an hour from downtown Paris, so we had to leave early for the Catacombs and pay close attention to all the transfers.
Some of our group got lost, and another couple of people were fined for putting their feet on train seats. That was our experience on the trip; pay attention to signs and instructions on public transportation.
The Catacombs list Denfert-Rochereau as the station, with Metro lines 4 and 6 and RER B. For current fares, see RATP’s Metro-Train-RER ticket prices and reduced-fare information.
If you expect to make several journeys, compare the Navigo Easy Pass and the current fare and pass terms to see which option fits your trip.
Strollers are not allowed inside, and the current guide recommends a baby carrier. I loved our favorite carrier! The company was a client of ours. It could grow with our kiddo and felt better on my back. Check the Catacombs’ current access rules before going.
We’ve been blessed not to have had our wallets or phones stolen in Paris. I used to joke that the chaos of five kids deterred pickpockets, but I wouldn’t rely on that for protection. Several friends have had their wallets or phones stolen in Paris, though, so I stay aware and cautious when we travel. It’s okay to use the Metro; I watch the locals and mimic their behavior.
The Catacombs currently list buses 38 and 68 for Denfert-Rochereau. For fares, see RATP’s bus and tram fares and reduced-fare information before you travel.
A bus may be easier with small children if the route works from where you’re staying. Compare the route and transfers for your own plans.
For some families, a taxi or rideshare may be easier, especially with tired kids. Compare the linked transfer option and confirm the pickup and drop-off points, fare, and current terms before relying on it.
If you’re staying nearby, such as in Montparnasse, walking could be a pleasant option; consider your kids’ energy for the day ahead and back. You’ll climb and descend many stairs in the Catacombs and walk underground throughout the visit. We rewarded our kids with some amazing hot chocolate on the way!
The current visitor guide suggests planning about an hour. Don’t rush: let kids pause, observe, and ask questions. If you book a guided tour, check the provider’s schedule too.
Let children know this is a historical site, not a haunted house. The linked guided Paris experience is one way to explore Paris history; at the Catacombs, we tried to treat the remains like we would a cemetery—with respect and reverence.
Encourage your kids to ask questions, and do your best to answer. Talk about the people represented, why the bones are there, or how the quarry network and ossuary shaped Paris’s history.
Quiz the kids on the info to keep them engaged and help everyone remember more. Our kids found this experience fascinating.
Some tour listings advertise family-friendly guides or skip-the-line tickets. Check whether a specific offer includes entry, where it meets, and which areas it visits before booking.
The current Catacombs rules allow private-use photography without flash or a tripod. Check the official visitor guide for any changes before you go.
The bones are fragile and visitors must not touch them. This is SO hard for little hands! I like to say, “We only touch with our eyes.” Be mindful of those little hands.
After we emerged from the dimly lit tunnels, we headed to a park to let off steam and discuss what we liked most.
The current visitor guide describes a one-way route from 1 Avenue du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy to the exit at 21 bis Avenue René-Coty. The bookshop is near the exit; if you plan to visit it separately, check the current access information.
The exit area includes a bookshop; selection and access can change. You can also find Catacombs souvenirs online.
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The Paris Catacombs might seem like an unusual choice for a family outing, but for us, it turned out to be a truly unforgettable experience. It’s a rare opportunity to step away from the typical tourist trail and uncover a hidden, historic side of Paris.
With a little preparation and the right mindset, it can be both educational and fascinating for kids. Just be ready for a slightly spooky, yet incredibly rewarding, adventure!
Check out your travel necessities from a comprehensive list of all the 7Wayfinders Travel Must-Haves. Click Here!
Find a nice hotel near Paris from Expedia, or Vrbo, (we also love Tripadvisor and Hotels.com)
Discover more of Paris while having fun through exciting activities from GetYourGuide, Airbnb Experiences, or Viator
Need to rent a car to navigate the city? Visit Rentalcars.com.
Get insured while traveling with World Nomads / SafetyWing
Want to have a photo shoot while traveling? Check out flytographer!
Capture your best memories in Paris as we do with a GoPro, Sony camera, or our favorite drones: DJI FPV, Air, and Mini
Check out your travel necessities from a comprehensive list of all the 7Wayfinders Travel Must-Haves. Click Here!
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