Paris Catacombs special access tour
The Paris Catacombs special access tour is a guided visit that opens gates into galleries normally closed to the public, including a secret chapel decorated with skulls and femurs, from around €99 per person. It runs about two hours in English, with groups of up to 14 (as few as 6 on some slots), and holds a 4.6-star rating from 974 reviews.
Most visitors to the Catacombs follow the standard route through the ossuary, past the same stretch of tunnels everyone sees. This tour goes further: a local guide with special access status has areas unlocked specifically for the group, taking you into sections most visitors never reach.
This guide covers exactly what “special access” means here, what’s included, how demanding it is physically, and who it suits best.
What “Special Access” Means
Special access means the guide’s status lets guards open gates into galleries that are kept closed to standard ticket holders, including a chapel decorated with skulls and femurs beyond the usual ossuary route. It’s a guided experience rather than self-guided, with skip-the-line entry included. The tour runs about two hours in English, for around €99 per person.
The standard Catacombs ticket follows a fixed, roped route through around 1.5km of tunnels. This tour uses the same underground network but adds sections that aren’t part of that route — chambers and passages that require a guide with the right access to reach. It’s a genuinely different itinerary from the ossuary walk most visitors do, rather than the same route with commentary added.
What is included: Skip-the-line ticket, local English-speaking guide, access to restricted areas not on the standard route, bone arrangements and sculptural formations, the quarryman’s carvings, and the underground chapel
Duration: About 2 hours
Languages: English
Rating: 4.6 stars, 974+ reviews
Meeting point: Café du Rendez-Vous, 2 Avenue du Général Leclerc (not the main Catacombs entrance gate)
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before (on standard options)
Best for: Repeat visitors or Catacombs enthusiasts who want to go beyond the standard ossuary route with a live guide
Book This TourIf you’d rather book a smaller, more exclusive version of this idea, the private restricted access tour caps groups at seven and adds hotel transfer options. For a fuller comparison of guided formats, see our guided tours guide.
Duration and Group Size
Most departures take groups of up to 14 people, though a handful of slots — 1:30pm, 4:30pm and 5:30pm — are capped at 6, which makes for a noticeably more personal experience if your schedule allows it. The tour runs about two hours, roughly double the time of a standard self-guided visit, reflecting the extra ground covered in the restricted sections. English is the only language offered, so non-English speakers should check our guided tours roundup for other-language options.
Physical Demands — Read This Before Booking
This tour is more physically demanding than the standard visit, not less. You still descend the same 131 steps and climb the same 112 steps at the exit, with no lift, and the restricted galleries can mean additional walking and uneven, low-clearance passages beyond the main route. The constant 14°C underground applies throughout the full two hours, longer than the standard hour-long visit. It is not suitable for very young children, pregnant women, anyone with mobility, respiratory or heart conditions, and is not wheelchair accessible — if that’s a concern for your group, our accessibility guide has the full picture before you book.
What You’ll See in the Restricted Sections
Beyond the parts of the ossuary every visitor sees, this tour’s headline stop is a chapel-like chamber decorated with skulls and femurs, built by quarry workers rather than as part of the official 1809 arrangement most tourists know. You’ll also see quarryman’s carvings and sculptural formations cut directly into the limestone, similar in spirit to the well-known Port-Mahon carvings but in sections closed to standard ticket holders. These galleries sit within the wider underground quarry network beneath the Left Bank, of which the official ossuary is only a small, managed portion.
Who This Tour Suits
This is the right choice if you’ve already done the standard Catacombs visit, or you know from the start that the ossuary alone won’t satisfy your curiosity about the tunnels. It suits travellers comfortable with cramped, low-lit spaces and a longer underground stay than the standard hour, and who want a live guide’s context on areas that aren’t explained by any signage. It’s a poor fit for a first Catacombs visit if you’re not sure how you’ll react to the environment — start with the standard Catacombs ticket with audio guide first if that’s you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “special access” actually include?
It includes a guided visit into Catacombs galleries kept closed to standard ticket holders, notably a chapel decorated with skulls and femurs, plus quarryman’s carvings and sculptural formations. Guards open these sections specifically for the guide’s group. It’s a genuinely different route from the standard ossuary walk, not the same path with extra narration.
How much does the special access tour cost?
It costs from around €99 per person, including skip-the-line entry and a local English-speaking guide. That’s more than the standard ticket with audio guide, reflecting the extra areas covered and the smaller, guided format.
How long does the tour last?
About two hours, roughly double the standard hour-long self-guided visit, since the group covers restricted galleries in addition to the main ossuary route.
What language is the tour offered in?
English only. If you need a different language, check our guided tours guide for alternative options across the range of Catacombs tours.
Where do I meet the guide?
At Café du Rendez-Vous, 2 Avenue du Général Leclerc — not at the main Catacombs entrance gate on place Denfert-Rochereau, so check your confirmation carefully and allow time to find the meeting point.
Is this tour physically demanding?
Yes, more so than the standard visit. You still face 131 steps down and 112 up with no lift, plus extra walking through restricted, sometimes narrow galleries over a longer two-hour visit at a constant 14°C. It isn’t suitable for young children, pregnant visitors, or those with heart, respiratory or mobility conditions.
How big are the groups?
Most departures take up to 14 people, though a few slots — 1:30pm, 4:30pm and 5:30pm — are limited to 6, giving a more personal experience. If you want a guaranteed small group on every slot, the private restricted access tour caps every departure at seven.
Should I book this tour instead of the standard ticket?
Only if you specifically want the extra restricted sections and a live guide — it costs more and runs longer than the standard ticket with audio guide. First-time visitors satisfied with the main ossuary route are usually better served by the standard ticket.
