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Tomb-like memorial structure flanked by crosses and bone walls — Paris Catacombs, Paris, France.

Paris Catacombs Entrance Fee 2026: Prices, Discounts & What’s Included

Looking for information on the Paris Catacombs entrance fee?

The official Paris Catacombs entrance fee in 2026 is €31, about US$34–$36, for full-rate adult entry. Reduced-rate entry is €25, about US$27–$29, for eligible visitors with valid proof, and children ages 8–17 pay €15, about US$16–$18.

Children under 8 enter free.

Paid individual tickets from the attraction include the audio guide. The official fee is usually the cheapest way to visit, but third-party tours through GetYourGuide and Viator can be worth the higher price if you want a live guide, special-access-style inclusions, easier English-language booking, or cancellation flexibility where offered.

Key things to know:

  • The official entrance fee is the baseline price to compare against.
  • Paid individual tickets from the attraction include the audio guide.
  • The separate €5 audio guide rate matters mainly for visitors who need to buy it separately.
  • Reduced and free categories require valid proof.
  • Free tickets are handled at the front desk on the day of visit, not bought online in advance.
  • Official paid tickets are timed, limited to a 7-day booking window, and capped at 5 tickets per order.
  • Third-party guided tours usually cost more because they add guide time, structure, service, and sometimes restricted-area-style access.

If you only want the lowest official price, start with the official Catacombes de Paris ticket page (billetterie-parismusees.paris.fr/).

If you want guided context, a Catacombs + Seine combo, English-language booking, or more flexible product terms where offered, compare GetYourGuide and Viator before you book.

This page covers official entrance fees, reduced and free eligibility, proof requirements, what the ticket includes, official booking rules, and when it makes sense to pay more for a tour.

Paris Catacombs in Paris, France, with stone-vaulted underground gallery with repeating arches and warm lights.
Paris Catacombs in Paris, France, with stone-vaulted underground gallery with repeating arches and warm lights; Looking for information on the Paris Catacombs entrance fee.

Paris Catacombs Entrance Fee at a Glance

Ticket typeOfficial 2026 priceApprox. US$Who it is forWhat it includes
Full-rate ticket€31About US$34–$36Most adult visitorsTimed entry and audio guide
Reduced-rate ticket€25About US$27–$29Eligible visitors with valid proofTimed entry and audio guide
Child ticket ages 8–17€15About US$16–$18Children ages 8–17Timed entry and audio guide
Children under 8FreeFreeChildren ages 0–7Free admission
Eligible free-admission categoriesFreeFreeSpecific categories with proofFree ticket collected at the front desk
Audio guide€5About US$5–$6Visitors who need to buy it separately45-minute audio guide

Prices can change, and US$ estimates depend on exchange rates. Use the official Catacombes de Paris ticket page as the price baseline before booking.

Paris Catacombs in Paris, France, with compact underground chamber enclosed by patterned bone walls.
Paris Catacombs in Paris, France, with compact underground chamber enclosed by patterned bone walls; Prices can change, and US$ estimates depend on exchange rates.

Paid individual tickets from the attraction list the audio guide as included. The separate €5 audio guide rate may matter if you qualify for free admission or need to buy audio separately at the front desk.

💵 Budget Tip: Compare official timed tickets first if price is your top concern. Choose a third-party tour when guided context, availability, cancellation terms, or bundled experiences matter more than the lowest possible ticket price.

What Does the Paris Catacombs Entrance Fee Include?

Full-rate ticket

The full-rate ticket is the standard paid entry for most adult visitors. It includes timed entry to the public Paris Catacombs route and the audio guide.

This is the best baseline price to use when comparing third-party tickets and tours.

Choose the full-rate ticket if your time slot is available, your plans are firm, and you do not need a live guide. Once booked, paid tickets from the attraction are strict.

Reduced-rate ticket

The reduced-rate ticket includes the same standard public route and audio guide as full-rate paid entry. The difference is eligibility.

Paris Catacombs in Paris, France, with stone memorial plaque among stacked bones with a visitor passing.
Paris Catacombs in Paris, France, with stone memorial plaque among stacked bones with a visitor passing; The reduced-rate ticket includes the same standard public route and audio guide as full-rate paid entry.

You need valid ID or proof. If you cannot show the right document at the entrance, plan around the full-rate price instead.

This is still a timed ticket. It is not the same as free admission.

Child ticket ages 8–17

Children ages 8–17 have a lower official paid price. The child ticket includes timed entry and the audio guide.

Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.

The Catacombs can be fascinating for older kids and teens, especially if they like history, unusual places, or darker stories. Very young children may struggle with the stairs, bones, low light, narrow corridors, and one-way route.

Children under 8

Children under 8 enter free. Parents should still think carefully before bringing young kids underground.

The Catacombs are not stroller-friendly. The visit involves many stairs, narrow passages, cool temperatures, and no easy exit halfway through the route.

Audio guide

Paid individual tickets from the attraction include the audio guide. The official site also lists the audio guide separately at €5, about US$5–$6, for visitors who need to buy it separately.

Paris Catacombs in Paris, France, with irregular cluster of skulls and bones in a dim ossuary wall.
Paris Catacombs in Paris, France, with irregular cluster of skulls and bones in a dim ossuary wall; Paid individual tickets from the attraction include the audio guide.

The audio guide is useful for a self-guided visit. If you want a fuller explanation of the ossuary, quarry tunnels, inscriptions, and cemetery transfers, a guided tour may be a better fit.

For ticket types and booking options, use our Paris Catacombs tickets guide.

Who Qualifies for the Reduced Paris Catacombs Entrance Fee?

The reduced Paris Catacombs entrance fee is a proof-based rate. It is not a casual tourist discount.

Reduced-rate admission with valid ID or proof applies to:

  • Visitors ages 5 to 26
  • Students
  • Holders of the Paris Pass Famille
  • Members of la Sauvegarde de l’Art Français
  • Members of la Société de l’Histoire de l’Art Français
  • Members of la Société française d’archéologie
  • Members of la Société nationale des Antiquaires de France

If you are visiting from the US or Canada, bring clear proof. A student ID is helpful, but you should not assume every international student document will be accepted automatically.

Paris Catacombs in Paris, France, with curving gallery with skull-and-bone walls leading into darkness.
Paris Catacombs in Paris, France, with curving gallery with skull-and-bone walls leading into darkness; If you are visiting from the US or Canada, bring clear proof.

The reduced ticket includes the audio guide. It is still a timed paid ticket, and you should bring the same proof you used when planning the booking.

Think of the reduced rate as a documented category, not a discount you can negotiate at the entrance.

Paris Catacombs in Paris, France, with illuminated ossuary chamber with bone-lined pillars and a gravel path.
Paris Catacombs in Paris, France, with illuminated ossuary chamber with bone-lined pillars and a gravel path; Think of the reduced rate as a documented category, not a discount you can negotiate at the entrance.

Who Gets Free Admission to the Paris Catacombs?

Free admission applies to specific visitors with valid proof. These free tickets are not bought online in advance.

Eligible visitors collect free tickets at the front desk on the day of visit.

Free admission with valid proof applies to:

  • Disabled visitors and their personal care attendant
  • Job seekers
  • Beneficiaries of RSA
  • Beneficiaries of allocation parents isolés
  • Beneficiaries of allocation personnalisée d’autonomie
  • Beneficiaries of aide sociale de l’État pour les réfugiés
  • Inhabitants of Rome, Paris’s twin city
  • City of Paris employees and councillors, active or retired
  • Professional visual artists with written evidence
  • International Association of Art Critics members
  • Museum guides
  • French and foreign curators
  • Members of la commission du Vieux Paris
  • ICOM members
  • ICOMOS members
  • Journalists
  • Art press reporters and federations

Bring proof. Staff can ask for it.

If you are visiting with someone who has a paid timed ticket, the official guidance indicates the free-admission visitor can be handled at the same time slot. When the online paid-ticket calendar is full, eligible free-admission visitors are handled at the front desk according to the official admission process.

Free admission does not remove the need to follow the Catacombs’ access, bag, safety, and visitor rules.

Free-admission visitors may need to buy the audio guide separately for €5, about US$5–$6, if they want one.

🎟️ Ticket Tip: Official Catacombs tickets can be the cheapest choice when your date is available, but third-party tickets and tours are often easier when you need English-language guidance, bundled experiences, or flexible cancellation.

Paris Catacombs Ticket Rules That Affect the Entrance Fee

The entrance fee is only one part of the decision.

Official paid tickets are timed. You book a specific date and time, not a flexible all-day entry.

Official booking is available for the next 7 days only. Individual ticket orders are capped at 5 tickets.

Paris Catacombs in Paris, France, with long underground corridor bordered by stacked bones on both sides.
Paris Catacombs in Paris, France, with long underground corridor bordered by stacked bones on both sides; Official booking is available for the next 7 days only.

Official paid tickets cannot be exchanged, refunded, or postponed. Paid tickets are not sold on site due to crowding.

Free-admission visitors collect tickets at the front desk with proof.

The Paris Musées membership card is not accepted at the Catacombs. The official booking page is also not intended for professionals or resellers.

That makes the official ticket a strong value when your plans are firm. It is less forgiving if your Paris itinerary may change.

Third-party options may be worth comparing when:

  • You want a live guide.
  • The official booking window is inconvenient.
  • The official time slots do not fit your schedule.
  • You want cancellation flexibility where offered by the product.
  • You want a Catacombs + Seine combo.
  • You prefer an English-language booking platform.

For timing and booking-window strategy, read the Paris Catacombs reservations guide. For last admission and time-slot planning, use the Paris Catacombs opening hours and best time guide.

🧭 Planning Tip: The Catacombs are not a casual “drop in” attraction. Timed entry, limited capacity, stairs, cool temperatures, and no large-bag storage make advance planning worth it.

Paris Catacombs in Paris, France, with single skull projecting from a dark wall of stacked bones.
Paris Catacombs in Paris, France, with single skull projecting from a dark wall of stacked bones; 🧭 Planning Tip: The Catacombs are not a casual “drop in” attraction.

Official Entrance Fee vs Third-Party Tours: What Costs More and Why?

Official tickets are usually the cheapest way to enter the Paris Catacombs. Third-party tickets and tours are usually more expensive because they add convenience, service, guide time, or bundled experiences.

Booking pathBest forWhy it costs what it costsLink
Official full-rate entryLowest official adult priceBasic timed entry with audio guideOfficial Catacombes de Paris ticket page
(billetterie-parismusees.paris.fr/)
Official reduced or child entryEligible visitors with proofDiscounted official admissionOfficial Catacombes de Paris information
(catacombes.paris.fr/en)
Third-party self-guided ticketEasier booking and availability comparisonUsually adds platform or service valueParis: Catacombs Ticket and Audio Guide
Guided Catacombs tourFirst-time visitors who want contextAdds live guide and group structureParis Catacombs Guided Tour: Skip-the-Line & Restricted Areas
Special-access or restricted-area-style tourDeeper visitAdds guided structure and special inclusions where statedParis Catacombs Skip-the-Line Guided Tour and Special Access
Catacombs + Seine comboShort Paris tripsBundles two experiencesParis: Catacombs Entry & Seine River Cruise with Audio Guide

The key is to compare value, not just price.

Paris Catacombs in Paris, France, with dense wall of skulls and long bones arranged in level bands.
Paris Catacombs in Paris, France, with dense wall of skulls and long bones arranged in level bands; The key is to compare value, not just price.

If you only want the standard route, the official entrance fee is the number to beat. If you want a guide, special-access-style sections, cancellation flexibility where offered, or a bundled Paris day, a higher-priced third-party option may make more sense.

Is a Paris Catacombs Guided Tour Worth the Extra Cost?

A guided tour may be worth the higher price if the Catacombs are one of your top Paris sights.

The standard route is atmospheric, but a guide can help explain why the ossuary exists, how the former quarry tunnels shaped the city, and what the inscriptions and bone arrangements mean.

A guided tour may be worth it if:

  • This is your first Catacombs visit.
  • You want the history behind the ossuary.
  • You want help understanding the former quarry tunnels.
  • You want restricted-area or special-access-style inclusions where clearly stated.
  • You prefer a scheduled group format.
  • You are traveling with older kids or teens who benefit from a story-led visit.
  • You have limited Paris time and want fewer planning decisions.

A guided tour may not be worth it if:

  • You only want the lowest entry price.
  • You are comfortable with the audio guide.
  • You mainly want to walk the standard route.
  • You do not want a group schedule.

Good guided options to compare include Paris Catacombs Guided Tour: Skip-the-Line & Restricted Areas, Paris Catacombs Skip-the-Line Guided Tour and Special Access, Paris: Catacombs Tour with Restricted Areas, and Paris Catacombs Semi-Private Max 6 People Guided Tour.

⭐ Pro Tip: A guided Catacombs tour is most useful if you want the story behind the ossuary, the quarry tunnels, and the restricted-area sections that standard visitors often miss.

Cheapest Way to Visit the Paris Catacombs

The cheapest standard way to visit the Paris Catacombs is to book the official ticket category you qualify for.

Paris Catacombs in Paris, France, with skulls embedded among warm-lit stacks of human bones.
Paris Catacombs in Paris, France, with skulls embedded among warm-lit stacks of human bones; The cheapest standard way to visit the Paris Catacombs is to book the official ticket category that matches your eligibility.

For most adults, that means the full-rate ticket at €31, about US$34–$36. Eligible visitors may pay the reduced rate of €25, about US$27–$29, or the child rate of €15, about US$16–$18.

Children under 8 enter free.

If you qualify for a reduced or free category, bring proof. The savings only matter if your eligibility is accepted.

Also remember that the cheapest ticket is not always the easiest ticket. Official tickets are timed, strict, and limited to a short booking window.

If the official time does not fit your trip, compare Paris: Catacombs Ticket and Audio Guide or guided options before giving up on the visit.

⏱️ Quick Win: If your main goal is to get inside without overcomplicating the visit, start with Paris: Catacombs Ticket and Audio Guide and compare it with the official ticket page.

Paris Catacombs Entrance Fee for Families

The Paris Catacombs entrance fee is straightforward for families, but the visit itself needs some thought.

Children ages 8–17 pay €15, about US$16–$18. Children under 8 enter free.

Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.

The Catacombs are not stroller-friendly. There are stairs down, stairs up, narrow corridors, dim light, bones, and no cloakroom for large bags.

The visit can be excellent for older kids and teens who like history and unusual places. It can be too much for younger children.

A guided tour may help older kids understand what they are seeing, but families should check age suitability, tour pace, meeting point, and cancellation terms before booking.

👨‍👩‍👧 Family Tip: The Catacombs can be a hit with older kids and teens, but the stairs, bones, narrow corridors, and one-way route make it a poor fit for many younger children.

Accessibility, Bags, and Comfort: Hidden Costs to Plan Around

The Paris Catacombs are not wheelchair accessible. They are also not recommended for visitors with mobility limitations, claustrophobia, respiratory insufficiency, or cardiac insufficiency.

Paris Catacombs in Paris, France, with historic French warning inscription carved above a low stone passage.
Paris Catacombs in Paris, France, with historic French warning inscription carved above a low stone passage; The Paris Catacombs are not wheelchair accessible.

Sight-disabled visitors must be accompanied. Guide dogs for blind visitors are allowed with an accompanying person, but white canes are prohibited because of site conditions.

Expect 131 steps down and 112 steps back up. The route is one-way and about 1.5 km long.

The underground temperature is about 14°C, or 57°F. Bring a light layer even if Paris is warm above ground.

Large bags and suitcases are not allowed. Bags must measure less than 40 x 30 cm, and there is no cloakroom or luggage storage.

Restrooms are available at the entrance and exit.

👟 Comfort Tip: Wear sturdy shoes and bring a light layer. The underground route can feel cool and damp even when Paris is warm above ground.

🚫 Access Tip: The Paris Catacombs are not suitable for many travelers with mobility limitations, claustrophobia, respiratory issues, or trouble with stairs.

Paris Catacombs Combo Tickets and Related Tours

Official entry covers the Catacombs visit only. If you want to build a fuller Paris day, a combo or related tour may be easier.

The Paris: Catacombs Entry & Seine River Cruise with Audio Guide costs more than basic entry, but it pairs one underground experience with one classic Paris experience.

🛥️ Combo Tip: For travelers short on time, Paris: Catacombs Entry & Seine River Cruise with Audio Guide combines one underground experience with one classic above-ground Paris experience.

Dark Paris add-ons can also work well if the Catacombs are part of a bigger macabre-history itinerary. Just make sure the product clearly says whether Catacombs entry is included.

Good add-ons include Paris: Haunted Père Lachaise Cemetery Guided Tour and Paris: Dark History and Ghostly Guided Walking Tour.

🌙 Dark Paris Add-On: If the Catacombs are the start of a darker Paris itinerary, pair them with Paris: Haunted Père Lachaise Cemetery Guided Tour or Paris: Dark History and Ghostly Guided Walking Tour.

Paris Catacombs in Paris, France, with stone cross surrounded by symmetrical rows of skulls and bones.
Paris Catacombs in Paris, France, with stone cross surrounded by symmetrical rows of skulls and bones; 🌙 Dark Paris Add-On: If the Catacombs are the start of a darker Paris itinerary, pair them with Paris: Haunted Père Lachaise Cemetery Guided Tour or Paris: Dark History and Ghostly Guided Walking Tour.

Where to Buy Paris Catacombs Tickets and Tours

Official Catacombes de Paris ticket page

The official Catacombes de Paris ticket page is best for the official entrance fee.

Use it when your date and time are available, your plans are firm, and you are comfortable with strict no-refund, no-exchange, and no-date-change terms.

GetYourGuide

Use GetYourGuide if you want to compare a self-guided ticket/audio option, guided tours, restricted-area-style tours, a Catacombs + Seine combo, or an English-language booking flow.

Cancellation terms vary by product, so check the individual listing before paying.

Viator

Use Viator for semi-private guided tours, premium small-group comparisons, and backup guided-tour availability.

Treat Viator as a third-party marketplace, not the official Catacombs ticket office.

For a wider booking comparison, read the Paris Catacombs tickets guide.

Where to Stay to Make the Entrance Fee Worth It

If you are paying for timed entry or a guided tour, location matters. Staying near Denfert-Rochereau, Montparnasse, Luxembourg Garden, or the 14th arrondissement lowers the risk of a rushed morning.

HotelBest for
Hotel du Midi Paris MontparnasseClosest practical Denfert-Rochereau base
Villa MontparnasseCatacombs-first stays near Denfert-Rochereau
Hotel Sophie GermainEasy 14th-arrondissement neighborhood base
voco Paris Montparnasse by IHGReliable Montparnasse chain comfort
Pullman Paris MontparnasseLarge modern hotel near transit
Hotel Le SixBoutique luxury near Luxembourg/Montparnasse

🚇 Transit Tip: Denfert-Rochereau is the key transit hub for the Catacombs entrance. Staying near Montparnasse, Luxembourg, or the 14th arrondissement makes the visit easier.

For transit, entrance, exit, and hotel logistics, use the Paris Catacombs location and getting there guide.

Best Tours in Paris, France by Traveler Type

If the Catacombs are one stop in a bigger Paris itinerary, these tours pair well with an underground visit.

White stone cross set against carefully stacked skulls and bones at Paris Catacombs in Paris, France.
White stone cross set against carefully stacked skulls and bones at Paris Catacombs in Paris, France; If the Catacombs are one stop in a bigger Paris itinerary, these tours pair well with an underground visit.
SegmentActivities and best tours
First-time Paris visitors✅ Paris: 1-Hour Seine Cruise departing from the Eiffel Tower
✅ Paris: Louvre Museum Timed-Entrance Ticket
✅ Versailles: Skip-the-Line Guided Palace Tour and Full Access
Dark-history travelers✅ Paris: Haunted Père Lachaise Cemetery Guided Tour
✅ Paris: Dark History and Ghostly Guided Walking Tour
✅ Paris Catacombs guided tour listings
Couples and short stays✅ Paris: Catacombs Entry & Seine River Cruise with Audio Guide
✅ Paris: 1-Hour Seine Cruise departing from the Eiffel Tower
✅ Paris: Louvre Museum Timed-Entrance Ticket
Small-group splurge✅ Paris Catacombs Semi-Private Max 6 People Guided Tour
✅ Catacombs of Paris Semi-Private VIP Restricted Access Tour
✅ Paris: Catacombs Tour with Restricted Areas
Easy logistics✅ Paris Catacombs Private Transfers Self Guided Tour
✅ Paris: Catacombs Ticket and Audio Guide
✅ Paris Catacombs Reserved Access and Options Self-guided Tour

Why Book Through GetYourGuide or Viator?

If you only want the lowest official entrance fee, start with the official Catacombes de Paris ticket page.

Use GetYourGuide if you want a self-guided ticket/audio option, guided Catacombs tours, restricted-area-style tours, a Catacombs + Seine combo, an English-language booking flow, or cancellation flexibility where offered.

Use Viator if you want semi-private tours, premium guided options, broader tour comparison, or backup availability.

Third-party products are not the official Catacombs ticket office. Product terms vary.

Before booking, check:

  • Whether Catacombs entry is included.
  • Whether the visit is guided or self-guided.
  • The meeting point.
  • The language.
  • Cancellation terms.
  • Bag and stroller rules.
  • Accessibility limits.
  • Whether restricted-area or special-access-style inclusions are clearly listed.

How This Paris Catacombs Entrance Fee Guide Connects to the Full Cluster

If you need help with…Go here
Choosing a ticketParis Catacombs tickets guide
Comparing guided optionsParis Catacombs tours guide
Booking windows and availabilityParis Catacombs reservations guide
Timing your visitParis Catacombs opening hours and best time guide
Finding the entrance and nearby hotelsParis Catacombs location and getting there guide
Full attraction overviewParis Catacombs guide

What Should You Do Next?

For ticket types and booking choices, read the Paris Catacombs tickets guide.

For guided and restricted-area-style options, compare the Paris Catacombs tours guide.

Paris Catacombs in Paris, France, with carved 1878 date marker set into a rough underground stone wall.
Paris Catacombs in Paris, France, with carved 1878 date marker set into a rough underground stone wall; For guided and restricted-area-style options, compare the Paris Catacombs tours guide.

For booking-window strategy, use the Paris Catacombs reservations guide.

For last admission and time-slot planning, read the Paris Catacombs opening hours and best time guide.

For Metro, entrance, exit, and nearby hotels, use the Paris Catacombs location and getting there guide.

FAQ

How much is the Paris Catacombs entrance fee in 2026?

The official 2026 full-rate entrance fee is €31, about US$34–$36. Reduced entry is €25, about US$27–$29, and children ages 8–17 pay €15, about US$16–$18.

Are children free at the Paris Catacombs?

Children under 8 enter free. Children ages 8–17 have a paid child rate of €15, about US$16–$18.

Is the audio guide included in the Paris Catacombs entrance fee?

Paid individual tickets from the attraction include the audio guide. The official site also lists a €5 audio guide rate for visitors who need to buy it separately.

Who qualifies for the reduced Paris Catacombs rate?

The reduced rate applies with valid proof to visitors ages 5–26, students, Paris Pass Famille holders, and members of several listed French art, archaeology, and heritage societies.

Who gets free admission to the Paris Catacombs?

Free admission applies to specific categories with proof, including disabled visitors and their personal care attendant, job seekers, certain income-support beneficiaries, Rome residents, City of Paris employees and councillors, professional visual artists, certain art-world professionals, ICOM and ICOMOS members, journalists, and related press categories.

Can you buy Paris Catacombs tickets at the door?

Paid tickets should not be treated as walk-up tickets. The official ticketing page says no paid tickets can be sold on site due to crowding, while eligible free-admission visitors collect their ticket at the front desk with proof.

Why are Paris Catacombs tours more expensive than the entrance fee?

Tours cost more because they may add a live guide, group coordination, special-access-style inclusions where stated, English-language booking, cancellation flexibility where offered, and a more structured experience.

Is the Paris Catacombs entrance fee worth it?

Yes, for travelers who want an unusual underground Paris experience and can handle stairs, narrow passages, and the ossuary setting. If you want deeper history, a guided tour may be worth paying more than the basic entrance fee.