Paris Catacombs & Seine River cruise + audio guide

Underground Paris Catacombs ossuary and Seine river cruise

This combined ticket pairs timed entry to the Paris Catacombs, audio guide included, with a one-hour Seine river cruise, on a single booking from around €49 per person. It holds a 4.5-star rating from 1,430+ reviews, the two activities together take about three hours, and the ticket also unlocks access to up to three temporary museum exhibitions.

Two very different sides of Paris, one ticket: a descent into the underground ossuary of six million Parisians, and an above-ground cruise past the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and Notre-Dame. It’s a practical pairing for a first full day in the city, covering a major indoor sight and a relaxed outdoor one without juggling two bookings.

This guide sets out what the combined ticket includes, how the logistics work since the two parts run from different locations, and who gets the most out of pairing them.

Paris Catacombs & Seine Cruise at a Glance

DetailCatacombs + Seine Cruise
From€49 per person
Rating4.5 stars (1,430+ reviews)
Combined durationAbout 3 hours
IncludesTimed Catacombs entry, audio guide, 1-hour Seine cruise
LanguagesEnglish, French, German, Spanish
BonusAccess to up to 3 temporary museum exhibitions

What This Ticket Combines

The ticket bundles a timed, skip-the-line entry to the Paris Catacombs with a self-guided audio tour, plus a separate one-hour Seine river cruise with its own audio commentary. Both are booked and paid for together, but they run as two distinct experiences at two different locations rather than a single guided itinerary. The combined price is around €49 per person.

The Catacombs half works like the standalone Catacombs ticket with audio guide: a timed slot, an audio guide in four languages, and a self-paced walk through the tunnels to the ossuary. The Seine cruise is a one-hour boat trip with its own commentary, taking in the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and Notre-Dame — a lighter, open-air contrast to the cool, enclosed quarries below Denfert-Rochereau.

What is included: Timed skip-the-line Catacombs entry, self-guided audio guide (English, French, German, Spanish), one-hour Seine river cruise with audio commentary, and access to up to three temporary exhibitions at partner museums

Duration: About 3 hours combined (the two parts are typically done as separate outings on the same trip, not back to back)

Languages: English, French, German, Spanish

Rating: 4.5 stars, 1,430+ reviews

Meeting point: Catacombs entry gate at 1 Avenue du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy, place Denfert-Rochereau; the Seine cruise departs separately from Port de la Conférence, near the Eiffel Tower

Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before (on standard options)

Best for: Visitors who want the ossuary and a classic Seine cruise covered in one booking, without pricing them separately

Book This Tour

If you only want the underground half, the plain Paris Catacombs ticket with audio guide covers the same entry and audio guide without the cruise attached, and is the cheaper option if a boat trip isn’t on your itinerary.

Logistics: Two Locations, One Booking

The Catacombs and the Seine cruise start from different points in Paris, so this isn’t a single continuous tour — you use the ticket for two separate outings, ideally on the same day or trip. The Catacombs entrance is at place Denfert-Rochereau in the 14th arrondissement; the cruise departs from Port de la Conférence near the Eiffel Tower, a short taxi or métro ride away.

It’s worth planning the day rather than assuming one flows into the other. The Catacombs visit runs about an hour underground, with 131 steps down and 112 up and no lift, so most visitors do that earlier in the day and save the cruise, which needs far less physical effort, for later. Our guide to how to get to the Paris Catacombs covers the Denfert-Rochereau entrance and transport links in detail. Both parts of the ticket are timed, so check your confirmation for the entry window and cruise departure time, and build in transfer time rather than scheduling them back to back.

Who This Combo Suits

This ticket suits visitors on a first trip to Paris who want an efficient way to cover two very different sights without separate bookings. It’s also a reasonable choice for a mixed group — the ossuary can be intense for some, while the cruise is a gentler, universally enjoyable alternative that still delivers classic Paris views. Pick a quieter time for the Catacombs portion using our guide to the best time to visit, then treat the cruise as the relaxed half of the day. It suits budget-conscious travellers less well if you’d genuinely skip the cruise — the standalone ticket with audio guide is the leaner buy in that case.

What You’ll See Underground

The Catacombs portion follows the standard route: 131 steps down into former limestone quarries roughly 20 metres below street level, then around 1.5km of tunnels leading to the ossuary, where the bones of some six million Parisians are stacked into walls, moved here from the city’s overflowing cemeteries from 1786. The temperature holds at a constant 14°C, so bring a layer even if it’s warm on the Seine later.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the combined Catacombs and Seine cruise ticket cost?

It costs from around €49 per person, covering timed Catacombs entry with audio guide and a one-hour Seine river cruise. That’s more than the standalone Catacombs ticket with audio guide, but it removes the need to book and pay for a cruise separately if you were planning one anyway.

Do the Catacombs and the cruise happen on the same visit?

No. They’re two separate experiences at two locations — the Catacombs entrance on place Denfert-Rochereau and the cruise dock at Port de la Conférence near the Eiffel Tower. You use the ticket for both, typically the same day, but travel between them yourself.

How long does each part take?

The Catacombs visit takes about an hour underground, plus the 131 steps down and 112 up. The cruise runs about an hour on the water. Combined, including travel between locations, plan for roughly three hours across your day.

Is the audio guide included for both parts?

Yes. The Catacombs portion includes a self-guided audio tour in English, French, German and Spanish, and the Seine cruise has its own separate audio commentary pointing out landmarks as you pass them, in the same set of languages.

What are the “temporary exhibitions” included with this ticket?

The ticket includes access to up to three temporary exhibitions at partner museums, such as Musée de la Vie Romantique, Musée Cognacq-Jay and Maison de Victor Hugo. It’s a bonus on top of the Catacombs and cruise, and coverage can vary, so check your confirmation for the current list.

Is this ticket suitable for visitors with mobility issues?

The Seine cruise is accessible and needs no walking beyond boarding. The Catacombs portion, though, involves 131 steps down and 112 up with no lift, and isn’t wheelchair accessible or suitable for those with heart, respiratory or mobility conditions. See our accessibility guide before booking.

Can I do the guided version of the Catacombs instead of self-guided?

Not with this ticket, which uses the self-guided audio tour. If you’d prefer a live guide, compare options in our guided tours guide, though you’d then need to book a cruise separately.

Should I book this ticket in advance?

Yes. Catacombs slots are strictly timed and capped, and official tickets release only seven days ahead and sell out fast, so booking ahead secures both the underground visit and your cruise slot together. See how to book Paris Catacombs tickets for the full picture.

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Researched & Written by
Jamshed is a versatile traveler, equally drawn to the vibrant energy of city escapes and the peaceful solitude of remote getaways. On some trips, he indulges in resort hopping, while on others, he spends little time in his accommodation, fully immersing himself in the destination. A passionate foodie, Jamshed delights in exploring local cuisines, with a particular love for flavorful non-vegetarian dishes. Favourite Cities: Amsterdam, Las Vegas, Dublin, Prague, Vienna