POPULAR

Catacombs of Paris VIP Restricted Access Semi-private Guided Tour

1  hour
30  mins
1-7  people
Join your expert local guide and gain special VIP access to areas of the fascinating Paris Catacombs that are closed to the general public.
From 189.90€ / person
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Free cancellation
We know plans change, that's why we offer a flexible cancellation policy. Learn more!

Skip the lines and access locked rooms on this VIP Catacombs tour.

Far beneath the streets of Paris there is another, darker side to the city that very few get to see. Skip the long lines with pre-reserved timed entrance reservations on this semi-private VIP tour of the world’s largest ossuary. Underground gates are unlocked especially for you and your small group. Your expert guide will tell you the intriguing stories of those who worked, visited, and have been laid to rest here over the centuries, including the secret societies who still visit  this fragile and remarkable site today.  

Highlights

Avoid the long entry lines with official fast track access to the Catacombs.
Gain VIP access to parts of the Catacombs closed to the general public.
Semi-private groups of 6 people or fewer allow for a relaxed visit with personal attention from your expert guide.

What's Included

Guided 1.5 hour visit of the Catacombs
Official fast track entry, timed reservation and entrance tickets
Special access to parts of the Catacombs closed to the public
Expert English-speaking tour guide

Free Cancellation

We know plans change, so we’re happy to offer a full refund up to 24 hours prior to your tour’s departure time.

Skip the Lines

You’ll be whisked past the long entry lines at the palace with our pre-reserved, timed entrance reservations.

Accredited Local Guide

An expert local guide will show you the very best spots.

"Worth getting a tour! I was hesitant to book this for the price, but I am so glad that I did. It was a fantastic tour, and John was knowledgeable and really went above and beyond in his role. I learned things I never would have otherwise. Getting to go to the restricted areas was a real plus and again having a guide to really explain things made this experience so much more impressive."

Free cancellation

We know plans change, so we’re happy to offer a full refund up to 24 hours prior to your tour’s departure time.

Skip the Lines

Avoid the long entry lines with pre-reserved, fast track entry reservations taking you straight inside.

Exclusive Access to Restricted Areas

Gates will be unlocked for you and your small group, giving you special access to some of the most extraordinary spaces in the catacombs.

Frequently Asked Questions

You’ll skip the regular entry queue using pre-reserved timed tickets, and your expert guide will escort your small group (maximum 7 people) into parts of the Catacombs typically off limits to the general public. Guards unlock hidden chambers just for groups visiting on a guided tour..

The guided experience lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, with groups capped at 7 participants or fewer, offering an intimate and personalized exploration.

Be ready for 130 steps down into the Catacombs and 112 steps back up. The pathways are narrow in some places, and the site sits about 20 meters (65 feet) underground. If you have mobility issues, respiratory concerns, or claustrophobia, this tour is not recommended.

The Catacombs remain a steady 14 °C (57 °F) year‑round. Floors can be damp and slippery—so sturdy, comfortable footwear and a light sweater or jacket are highly recommended.

Start outside the main entrance on Place Denfert‑Rochereau (1 Avenue du Colonel Henri Rol‑Tanguy). Look for your guide wearing an orange lanyard with a Memories France badge—they’ll be waiting near the entrance so you bypass the long lines.

If you are running late, please call us on the number on your voucher, we will contact our guide and try and help you catch up with them. If you miss them and they have already entered with the other guests, it’s not possible for you to join them. The tickets are special reserved entry tickets, all guests must enter with the guide at our designated entry time. They are not valid for individual use.

Please allow extra time to get to the meeting point in case you get held up.

Your ticket includes:

  • Official fast-track entry with timed reservation 
  • Access to restricted, locked rooms in the Catacombs 
  • Guidance by an English-speaking, accredited local expert 
  • A semi-private group (7 max) for a deeper and more flexible experience

Beyond skipping lines, your guide brings the site’s story to life—unlocking secret rooms, revealing the Catacombs’ hidden histories (including secret societies and fascinating lore), and making you feel like a VIP explorer.

The main passageways are about 1.5–2 meters wide (5 to 6.5 feet) and around 2 meters high (6.5 feet), so most visitors can stand comfortably without bending. A few connecting corridors are narrower, but you won’t need to crawl or stoop at all.

The exit is about a 10-minute walk from the entrance, at 21 Avenue René-Coty. Your guide will make sure you know how to get back to your next destination or help you hail a taxi or use public transit.

The Catacombs are not recommended for children under 10, due to the atmosphere and the number of stairs. If you choose to bring a child, you must reserve a ticket for them, as the group maximum (7 people) includes all guests—children and infants alike.

Small bags are allowed, but large backpacks are not permitted inside, as they risk brushing against fragile bone arrangements. A free cloakroom is available at the entrance for items over the size limit.

By regulation, only about 200 visitors are allowed in the Catacombs at once, keeping the experience calm and uncrowded compared to many Paris attractions.

Yes—non-flash photography is permitted. Flash, tripods, selfie sticks, and lighting equipment are prohibited to protect the bones and the atmosphere of the site.

It’s not permitted to stay in the Catacombs after your tour has finished. All visitors must follow the same route and remain in the specific areas that are open to the public for their own safety. It’s a one way route that ends at the exit, it’s not possible to backtrack or enter other areas. .

If you experience claustrophobia or discomfort, let your guide know immediately. While it’s not possible to “exit instantly,” there are designated emergency exits along the route and staff trained to assist. Our guides pace the tour so you have time to adjust to the atmosphere.

You can change your booking up to 24 hours before your tour departure time. If you booked directly with us, use the Manage My Booking section in the footer of our website. If you booked on one of our partner platforms, please contact them to make the change.

Need to change plans? We offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund. After this, all preparations are made and confirmed and we cannot provide a refund.  If you need to cancel within 24 hours we recommend that you check with your travel insurer.

We’d love to hear your feedback if you enjoyed your tour. We share all reviews with our guides, and they truly appreciate hearing that you had a great time — it means a lot to all of us. Your comments also help other travelers discover our tours and support our small local team.

If you booked through one of our partner platforms, they’ll send you a review link after your tour. You’re also welcome to leave a review on our TripAdvisor or Google pages.Thank you for taking the time to share your experience — we really appreciate it!

Reviews

Our Catacombs tours sell out far in advance.

Places on these small group tours are very limited and sell out weeks in advance. Don’t wait to book your spot!
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