Paris Catacombs Opening Hours 2026: Best Times, Last Entry & Seasonal Notes
Looking for information on Paris Catacombs opening hours?
The Paris Catacombs are normally open Tuesday to Sunday from 9:45am to 8:30pm. Last admission is normally at 7:30pm.
The Catacombs are closed every Monday. They are also closed on January 1, May 1, and December 25.
Official sources list the Catacombs as open on July 14, August 15, November 1, and November 11. They do not list separate regular hours by season or month for normal public visits.
So the better planning question is not usually “Do summer hours change?” It is “Which timed slot gives me enough breathing room before and after the visit?”
Use the official Catacombes de Paris website (catacombes.paris.fr/en) for current hours, closures, and access rules before booking. Then compare official tickets with third-party options if timing, guide context, cancellation terms, or sold-out slots matter.
Key things to know:
- Regular public hours are Tuesday to Sunday, 9:45am–8:30pm.
- Last admission is 7:30pm.
- The Catacombs are closed on Mondays.
- Fixed holiday closures are January 1, May 1, and December 25.
- Listed holiday openings are July 14, August 15, November 1, and November 11.
- Official sources do not list separate normal opening hours by month or season.
- Closures, maintenance, strikes, holidays, or operational changes can still affect real-world availability.
- Your timed ticket matters more than the general opening window.
- Most visitors should block 90 minutes to 2 hours door-to-door.
If price matters most, check the official Catacombes de Paris ticket page (catacombes.paris.fr/en) once your date is available.
If timing, guide context, cancellation terms, or sold-out official slots matter more, compare GetYourGuide first and Viator for semi-private or premium guided options.
Paris Catacombs Opening Hours at a Glance
| Item | Official schedule | Planning note |
|---|---|---|
| Regular opening days | Tuesday to Sunday | Closed every Monday |
| Opening time | 9:45am | Arrive before your timed slot |
| Closing time | 8:30pm | This is not the same as last entry |
| Last admission | 7:30pm | Do not cut this close |
| Regular weekly closure | Monday | Avoid Monday planning |
| Fixed holiday closures | January 1, May 1, December 25 | Confirm before booking around holidays |
| Listed holiday openings | July 14, August 15, November 1, November 11 | Still check timed-ticket availability |
| Seasonal/monthly variation | No separate normal month-by-month schedule listed | Regular hours apply unless official updates say otherwise |
Use the official schedule as the baseline. But remember: a general opening day does not mean every time slot will be available.
For travelers, the available time slot matters more than the daily hours. A 9:45am ticket and a 6:45pm ticket create very different Paris days.
⏱️ 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.
Do Paris Catacombs Hours Change by Season or Month?
Official Catacombs pages do not list a separate spring, summer, fall, or winter schedule for normal public visits.
They also do not publish a normal month-by-month hours table.
The regular schedule is Tuesday to Sunday, 9:45am to 8:30pm, with last admission at 7:30pm. That schedule applies unless the official site posts an exceptional update.
What can change is demand. Ticket availability, crowd pressure, holiday travel, maintenance, strikes, and city disruptions can all affect your real options.
Do not plan around a summer-hours or winter-hours difference unless the official site posts one. For normal visits, the better question is not “what month has different hours?” but “which timed slot is available and least stressful?”
What Is the Best Time of Day to Visit the Paris Catacombs?
The best practical time is usually the earliest available slot that does not make your morning stressful.
A 9:45am or early-morning slot gives you the cleanest schedule. You can visit before lunch, then continue toward Montparnasse, Luxembourg Garden, the Latin Quarter, or a Seine cruise later in the day.
Late afternoon can also work well. The underground setting feels moodier, and it can be a good post-lunch plan.
The last-entry period is riskier. Last admission is 7:30pm, and delays leave less cushion.
| Time slot | Best for | Watch-outs |
|---|---|---|
| 9:45am–11:00am | Cleanest schedule, fewer conflicts, easier day planning | You need to reach Denfert-Rochereau on time |
| Late morning | Good balance of convenience and energy | Can feel busier in peak travel periods |
| Early afternoon | Easy to pair with Montparnasse, Luxembourg Garden, or the Latin Quarter | Can sit awkwardly in the middle of the day |
| Late afternoon | Atmospheric visit and good after-lunch plan | Do not book another timed attraction too close after |
| Evening / last-entry period | Moodier underground experience | Last admission is 7:30pm; delays have less cushion |
Best overall: book the earliest available slot you can comfortably reach.
Best for atmosphere: late afternoon.
Best for short trips: whichever slot leaves a real buffer before your next fixed plan.
Avoid last admission if you are prone to delays, arriving from far away, or traveling with kids.
🧭 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.
How Long Should You Plan for the Paris Catacombs?
The official visit time is about 45 minutes to 1 hour for the underground route.
That is not the same as your total time commitment.
Plan on 45–60 minutes underground. If you are already nearby, allow at least 90 minutes for arrival, ticket checks, the route, stairs, and the exit.
If you are crossing Paris, meeting a tour, or planning another timed attraction afterward, block closer to 2 hours.
The route is about 1.5 km and one-way only. You enter at 1 avenue du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy and exit at 21 bis avenue René-Coty.
Expect 131 steps down and 112 steps back up. The underground temperature is about 14°C, or 57°F.
Do not schedule another timed entry too tightly afterward. The Catacombs are not a visit you want to rush.
👟 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.
Best Month to Visit the Paris Catacombs
The Catacombs do not appear to have different normal opening hours by month. The regular schedule is the same unless the official site posts an update.
So the best month is mostly about your Paris trip style, weather, and demand.
Winter can be a good time because the Catacombs work well as a cold-weather or rainy-day plan. Just watch the January 1 and December 25 closures.
Spring is a strong shoulder-season choice. Avoid May 1, when the Catacombs are listed as closed.
Summer is useful because the underground temperature stays cool. But demand can be higher, so book early when your date appears.
Fall is one of the best all-around Paris seasons. The Catacombs pair well with Left Bank walks, Montparnasse, Luxembourg Garden, and darker-history add-ons.
| Month/season | Hours note | Best planning angle |
|---|---|---|
| Winter | Regular hours, except January 1 and December 25 closures | Good cold or rain backup |
| Spring | Regular hours, except May 1 closure | Good shoulder-season choice |
| Summer | Regular hours; July 14 and August 15 listed as open | Good heat-escape slot, book early |
| Fall | Regular hours; November 1 and November 11 listed as open | Strong Paris walking-trip pairing |
| Holidays | Check official updates | Timed-ticket availability matters most |
Best Day of the Week to Visit the Paris Catacombs
Do not plan for Monday. The Catacombs are normally closed.
Tuesday through Thursday are usually the most practical days to target if time slots are available. They leave room for the rest of your Paris week and avoid some weekend pressure.
Friday can work well if you want to pair the Catacombs with a Left Bank dinner or an evening Seine cruise.
Saturday and Sunday may be more popular with weekend travelers and families. That does not make them bad days, but you should book carefully and avoid tight timing.
The best day is often the day with the cleanest timed-ticket availability and the least pressure in your itinerary.
Best practical days: Tuesday to Thursday.
Best for couples: late afternoon Tuesday to Friday.
Best for families with older kids: earlier in the day.
Avoid: Monday.
What Time Should You Book if You Are Also Doing Other Paris Sights?
The Catacombs work best when you build a loose buffer around them. The entrance and exit are not in the same place, and the underground route is one-way.
| If you are also visiting… | Better Catacombs time | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Luxembourg Garden | Morning or early afternoon | Easy Left Bank pairing |
| Montparnasse | Morning, lunch, or late afternoon | Closest natural pairing |
| Latin Quarter | Late morning or afternoon | Smooth south-to-central route |
| Seine cruise | Catacombs first, cruise later | Easier to relax after the underground visit |
| Louvre or Eiffel Tower | Leave a big buffer | Do not stack timed tickets tightly |
| Père Lachaise or dark-history walk | Catacombs earlier, dark walk later | Strong theme without rushing |
For arrival, exit, and neighborhood logistics, read the Paris Catacombs location and getting there guide.
For guided and restricted-area-style options, compare the Paris Catacombs tours guide.
When Should You Book Paris Catacombs Tickets?
Paid Paris Catacombs tickets are time-slot based. You book a specific date and time, not a flexible all-day entry.
Official guidance strongly recommends online booking for paid tickets. Official timed tickets are released within a short booking window, so fixed-date travelers should pay attention as soon as their date becomes available.
If your preferred official time is not available, compare:
- Other official slots.
- Reseller self-guided options.
- Guided tours.
- Special-access-style tours.
- Combo tours.
Do not rely on paid walk-up tickets.
For booking rules, read the Paris Catacombs reservations guide.
🎟️ 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.
Official Tickets vs Timed-Entry Reseller Options
| Booking path | Best for | Timing watch-out | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official Paris Musées portal | Lowest official price | 7-day window; strict time slot | Official Catacombes de Paris ticket page (billetterie-parismusees.paris.fr/) |
| Official Catacombs information | Checking current hours and closures | Not a tour-comparison page | Official Catacombes de Paris website (catacombes.paris.fr/en) |
| GetYourGuide ticket/audio option | Easier self-guided time-slot booking | Usually costs more than official base entry | Paris: Catacombs Ticket and Audio Guide |
| Guided Catacombs tour | First-timers who want context | Meeting time may be earlier than entry time | Paris Catacombs Guided Tour: Skip-the-Line & Restricted Areas |
| Special-access-style tour | Deeper visit | Availability can be more limited | Paris Catacombs Skip-the-Line Guided Tour and Special Access |
| Catacombs + Seine combo | Short Paris trips | Confirm how each part is timed | Paris: Catacombs Entry & Seine River Cruise with Audio Guide |
Should You Book a Guided Tour for a Better Time Slot?
A guided tour may be worth comparing if official ticket times do not fit your itinerary.
It may also be the better choice if you want a live guide, special-access-style inclusions where clearly stated, an easier timed plan, or cancellation terms where offered by the product.
A basic official ticket may be better if your preferred official slot is available, price is the top priority, and you are comfortable with the audio guide.
Before booking a tour, check the meeting point and start time carefully. Some tours require meeting before the actual entry time.
Also, do not assume “skip-the-line” means no waiting at all. At the Catacombs, timed entry, security, site flow, and capacity rules still matter.
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.
Best Paris Catacombs Tickets and Tours to Book First
Use these if your preferred official time slot is unavailable, or if you want more than the standard self-guided visit.
⭐ Start here: the best Paris Catacombs tickets and tours to book first
Start with the official portal if price is your priority. Use these options if you want a simpler booking flow, a guided visit, a Seine combo, or a smaller-group experience.
- Paris: Catacombs Ticket and Audio Guide — easiest self-guided timed-entry option
- Paris Catacombs Guided Tour: Skip-the-Line & Restricted Areas — best overall guided choice
- Paris Catacombs Skip-the-Line Guided Tour and Special Access — strong special-access alternative
- Paris: Catacombs Entry & Seine River Cruise with Audio Guide — good Catacombs-plus-cruise combo
- Paris Catacombs Semi-Private Max 6 People Guided Tour — best small-group splurge
Practical Timing Rules Before You Go
Arrive before your timed slot. Give yourself more time than Google Maps says, especially if you are crossing Paris by Metro.
Do not bring large bags. There is no cloakroom, and the route is not designed for luggage.
The exit is at 21 bis avenue René-Coty, not at the entrance. Check your onward route before you go underground.
The visit can feel cool and damp even in summer. Bring a light layer and wear shoes with grip.
Last admission is not a target time. It is the final entry window, and it leaves little margin for delays.
If you are traveling with kids, choose a time when they are fresh. If you are claustrophobic or mobility-sensitive, reconsider 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.
🚫 Access Tip: The Paris Catacombs are not suitable for many travelers with mobility limitations, claustrophobia, respiratory issues, or trouble with stairs.
Catacombs Combo Timing and Dark Paris Add-Ons
A Catacombs + Seine combo works best when you want one underground visit and one classic Paris view.
In most itineraries, it is easier to do the Catacombs first and the cruise later. The underground visit is timed and less flexible, while a river cruise often fits more naturally into the rest of the day.
The Paris: Catacombs Entry & Seine River Cruise with Audio Guide is the simplest pairing if you want both experiences in one booking.
🛥️ 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.
For a darker Paris theme, pair the Catacombs with a cemetery or ghost-history walk. These products do not automatically include Catacombs entry unless the listing says so.
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.
Where to Stay for the Easiest Catacombs Time Slot
If you are booking a morning or timed tour slot, staying nearby makes the day easier.
Denfert-Rochereau, Montparnasse, Luxembourg Garden, and the 14th arrondissement are the most practical bases. They reduce the risk of crossing Paris in a rush.
| Hotel | Best for |
|---|---|
| Hotel du Midi Paris Montparnasse | Closest practical Denfert-Rochereau base |
| Villa Montparnasse | Catacombs-first stays near Denfert-Rochereau |
| Hotel Sophie Germain | Easy 14th-arrondissement neighborhood base |
| voco Paris Montparnasse by IHG | Reliable Montparnasse chain comfort |
| Pullman Paris Montparnasse | Large modern hotel near transit |
| Hotel Le Six | Boutique 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 Metro, entrance, exit, and hotel logistics, use the Paris Catacombs location and getting there guide.
Best Tours in Paris, France by Traveler Type
If your Catacombs time slot is part of a bigger Paris itinerary, these tours pair well with an underground visit.
Why Book Through GetYourGuide or Viator?
If you only want the lowest official price and your preferred time is available, use the official portal first.
Use GetYourGuide if you want a self-guided ticket/audio option, guided Catacombs tour, restricted-area-style tour, Catacombs + Seine combo, English-language booking flow, or cancellation flexibility where offered by the specific product.
Use Viator if you want semi-private tours, premium small-group guided options, backup availability, or broader comparison.
Third-party products are not the official Catacombs ticket office. Product terms vary.
Before paying, check the actual start time, meeting point, language, cancellation terms, age rules, bag rules, and accessibility limits.
How This Paris Catacombs Opening Hours Guide Connects to the Full Cluster
| If you need help with… | Go here |
|---|---|
| Choosing ticket types | Paris Catacombs tickets guide |
| Comparing guided options | Paris Catacombs tours guide |
| Understanding official prices and discounts | Paris Catacombs entrance fee guide |
| Booking windows and availability | Paris Catacombs reservations guide |
| Finding the entrance and nearby hotels | Paris Catacombs location and getting there guide |
| Full attraction overview | Paris Catacombs guide |
What Should You Do Next?
For ticket types and booking options, read the Paris Catacombs tickets guide.
For guided and restricted-area-style tours, compare the Paris Catacombs tours guide.
For official prices, reduced rates, and free admission, use the Paris Catacombs entrance fee guide.
For booking-window strategy, use the Paris Catacombs reservations guide.
For Metro, entrance, exit, and nearby hotels, use the Paris Catacombs location and getting there guide.
FAQ
What are the Paris Catacombs opening hours in 2026?
The official regular schedule is Tuesday to Sunday from 9:45am to 8:30pm, with last admission at 7:30pm.
What time is last admission to the Paris Catacombs?
Last admission is normally 7:30pm, one hour before the listed 8:30pm closing time.
Are the Paris Catacombs open on Mondays?
No. The Catacombs are normally closed on Mondays.
Are Paris Catacombs hours different in summer or winter?
Official sources do not list separate summer or winter hours for normal visits. The regular schedule is Tuesday to Sunday, 9:45am–8:30pm, unless an official closure or special update changes availability.
Do Paris Catacombs hours vary by month?
Official sources do not list a normal month-by-month schedule. The regular weekly schedule applies across the year, with listed fixed closures and possible official updates.
Are the Paris Catacombs open on holidays?
Official sources list the Catacombs as open on July 14, August 15, November 1, and November 11. They list closures on January 1, May 1, and December 25.
Still check the official site before booking holiday visits.
What is the best time to visit the Paris Catacombs?
The best practical time is usually the earliest available slot that does not make your morning stressful. Late afternoon is more atmospheric, but last admission gives less buffer if you are delayed.
How long does the Paris Catacombs visit take?
Official pages describe the visit as about 45 minutes to 1 hour for the route. Travelers should allow 90 minutes to 2 hours for arrival, ticket checks, stairs, and exit logistics.
Should I book an official ticket or a guided tour for the best time slot?
Book official if price is the priority and the time slot works. Compare guided tours if official times are inconvenient, you want historical context, or you prefer a more structured visit.
Do I need to book Paris Catacombs tickets in advance?
Yes for paid visitors. Official guidance strongly recommends online booking, and timed tickets matter more than the general opening window.