€£$
по-русскиen Español (pronto)
enter
1511things to do
in the world
81things to do
in France
41things to do
in Paris

See human skulls under groundin Paris, France

#21of 41 things to doin Paris

Oddviser

adventure's step-by-step
recipes & lifehacks
How to ride a board on volcano in Nicaragua?How to walk inside the active volcano in Greece?How to feed flying dogs in the jungles of Thailand?How to cycle along the Great Wall of China?How to swim in the famous Trevi Fountain in Rome?How to ride a kayak along the canals of Venice?How to walk on the roofs of skyscrapers in Dubai?
Join usit's more fun together :)
Up to 300-kilometer long tunnels with thousands dreadful people's skulls. Paris subterrane hides a lot of mystery. Will you dare to walk in here?
How to see human skulls under ground in Paris
Catacombs of Paris is a complex of underground tunnels, remains of limestone mines that were being worked up as far back as X century. It goes without saying that nobody could think of measuring the length at that times; the exact information about this is still unknown, they say it is approximately from 187 to 300 kilometers.

Catacombs' tunnels, Paris
Photo: Catacombs' tunnels, © Kieran Kelly

In XII century stone mines were forgotten, they were used selectively by servers of monastery which was situated not far from the stone mine, they kept wine here. Rumors about the wine, by the way, became one catacomb’s guard undoing; in 1793 he went deep into the tunnels searching for the drink. Nobody knows for sure whether he found the wine, what is known exactly - he didn't find the way back.

Catacombs of Paris, Paris

Only in XVII century the underground catacombs became evident. In this period Paris was developing actively when faced with crammed cemeteries from all the sides – at that time people were buried on the church territory only, as there wasn’t enough room for all the deceased, one grave could hold 1500(!) remnants of different periods. Such kind of burring caused dangerous diseases and threatened the citizens that lived next to the cemetery. One of the cemeteries, for example, broke through walls of church fortress and spat out corpses just right under feet of the nearest district’s citizens.

Then the core decision was made – to carve out dangerous cemeteries and remove bones to useless at that times quarries. The bones were dug up, washed and piled against the walls of the tunnels. Now it is pretty neat, but slightly dreadful.

Catacombs of Paris, Paris

How to do?

1. The catacomb entrance is not far from big statue of lion at Denfert-Rochereau (lines 4 and 6) metro station, on 1 Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy Avenue.
2. Buy a ticket (about €13) - go ahead to explore Paris subterrene.

Skull in catacombs of paris, Paris

Where to do?

#12СatacombsСatacombs

Since XVIII century, this place has become the last haven for nearly 6 million victims of diseases and wars.

Location: 1 Avenue du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy
Open hours: From Tuesday to Sunday from 9 am to 8 pm.

Tips and hints

Pay attention! Only 2 secure kilometers of catacombs are allowed to walk in. Even if you've got strong desire, don't go beyond limiting borders. You don't want to suffer the same destiny as the curious guard, do you?
← Walk through Montmartre#20 of 41
 →#22 of 41

Reviews

Guest04 April 2025

More things to do in Paris

DMARC CheckGet instant DMARC check on DmarcDkim.comadvertisement

DMARC allows you to discover, monitor, and fix weak spots in your email setup, prevent email spoofing, and increase email deliverability. Is your domain vulnerable?

#38Drink wine on the River Seine in ParisDrink wine on the River Seineoddviser

This place awakens the most tender feelings and brings to life that childish desire that the summer never end!

Seine
#18See Aphrodite of Milos in ParisSee Aphrodite of MilosJDI

The famous work of art of Alexander of Antioch - Aphrodite is an ancient Greek statue, which you can admire for hours.

15The Louvre
#25Feed the pigeons in ParisFeed the pigeonsДарья Слепакова

Feed the pigeons with golden baguette — it will add you some pleasant emotions and you can also take some good photos!

FREE
#31Try chocolate bread in ParisTry chocolate breadoddviser

Start your morning like a Parisian. Go to the local bakery and try the traditional French pastries - chocolate bread.

2
#20Walk through Montmartre in ParisWalk through Montmartreoddviser

Stroll through the tiny streets, visit the square where you will find painting artists and the main hill, where you will have a great view of Paris.

FREEMontmartre
#40See the Nike of Samothrace in ParisSee the Nike of SamothraceHarper Fuller

The Louvre is crowded with famous women: Venus of Milo, Mona Lisa and of course Victoria of Samothrace or just Nike.

15The Louvre
#33Taste hot chocolate beverage in ParisTaste hot chocolate beverageoddviser

This sweet, viscous, thick chocolate drink will definitely give you strength and energy after a long walk through Paris.

2Angelina Cafe
#11See the Mona Lisa in ParisSee the Mona LisaGarry Positive

The greatest creation of Leonardo da Vinci, a masterpiece of world art known all over the world. The crater on Venus is named after her.

15The Louvre
#8Visit the legendary Cafe de Flore in ParisVisit the legendary Cafe de Florechateau

If you want to taste the most delicious croissants in Paris, you should visit the legendary bakery Café de Flore on the Boulevard Saint-Germain.

2.70Cafe de Flore
#29Try salted caramel in ParisTry salted carameloddviser

French desserts can be called a work of art, because the simplicity and sophistication of their sweets is appreciated by the whole world.

1
#26Ride on the batobus along the Seine in ParisRide on the batobus along the SeineFelicity

A trip on this unusual form of transport — a river bus — is romantic and convenient. You can combine excursion and take a ride among the river.

16Seine
Know more things to do?Guest

Share your ideas of what to do in Paris with other travellers — together we'll make our travellings more interesting!

Join us and adventurize yourself!

it's more fun together :)

Sign up to get discounted adventures, learn about unusual entertainment and share your feedback!

Yes, I want