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The Catacombs occupy a small section of the 300 kilometres of former limestone quarry tunnels that run beneath Paris. In the late 18th century, the city's overflowing cemeteries were emptied and the remains of approximately six million people were transferred underground and arranged into walls of skulls and femurs that line 1.5 kilometres of tunnels. The experience is eerie and genuinely unlike any other attraction in the city - a 20-metre descent down a spiral staircase leads into cool, dimly lit corridors of carefully stacked bones.
Admission is EUR 29 for the standard visit and EUR 39 for a guided experience. Only 200 visitors are allowed inside at any given time, so online booking well in advance is essential - walk-up queues can stretch over two hours even on weekdays. The visit takes about 45 minutes. The tunnels maintain a constant temperature of 14 degrees Celsius, so bring a light jacket even in summer. The exit emerges on Rue Remy Dumoncel, about 700 metres from the entrance.
Pro Tip: Book the earliest morning slot (09:45) for the smallest crowds underground. The audio guide, available for EUR 5, adds significant historical context about which cemeteries the bones came from and why the transfer was necessary. The narrow spiral staircases (130 steps down, 83 steps up) are not suitable for anyone with claustrophobia or mobility issues.
