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Buy Paris Catacombs Tickets Online

We are looking to visit the Paris Catacombs on our trip next month. Every review that I've read has stated that this will be a 2-3 hour wait in line. I've noticed that you can purchase tickets online at http://www.catacombes.paris.fr/en/visit/access-opening-times-accessibility. I'm not sure if this option is relatively new or not, since a lot of reviews have said that you can't buy them online. You schedule a date/time, though there are some restrictions (Wed-Fri only, and times after 3pm).

Does anyone know if you get to skip the line if you purchase the ticket online ahead of time?

Posted by
7981 posts

This is a new service and yeah with this possibility it would be silly to spend 3 hours in line.

Posted by
17 posts

I was in Paris in April and May. The lines were long one morning and skipped it. I think the Steve's book suggests getting there before it opens but the day we did that in April, the line was probably two hours long already and half hour before opening.

But later in our trip we found an obscure link on the Catacomb website that gave a clue to best visit times. http://www.catacombes.paris.fr/sites/catacombes/files/editeur/frequentation_du_site_des_catacombes_annee_2015_0.pdf

In early May we returned on a Tuesday at about 5pm and the line was reasonable - about 30 minutes. We extrapolated from their timetable chart that early May might be more like April. Maybe your trip is later in September and you might get a clue from the October chart. It was on our "to do" list as we missed the catacombs on other Paris trips but after the visit I found that I would rather have used the time walking above ground.

Posted by
11507 posts

I am in Paris right now. I have been to Catacombs three times now. First time was 10 yrs ago, my then 13 yr old son and practically walked right in.

Then last year took hubby for his first visit. We arrived at 10:30 am. That's 1/2 hour after opening. Waited 2hrs and 45 minutes!

This past week, took 19 yr old daughter for her first visit, arrived at 9:30, 1/2 hr before opening.
Waited THREE hours.

Pay the money and get an online time slot ticket!!

It will only get worse!

Posted by
160 posts

Pat you are a better woman than I to have done this 3x!!! We went last Wednesday at 4:30 and waited in line 2 hours. I tried, unsuccessfully, to book ahead online but these fill up quickly and I was not able to get 4 tickets.
This was the one thing my 19 yr old son wanted to do. The rest of us- me, hubby and 15 yr old son were not as enamored by the idea :).
This is just MY opinion but.... It is not worth the time. If you look on the website the picture you see is literally what it is, over and over. Takes a while to actually get to the bones after a good amount of steps and walking along an empty tunnel.
It is unique however, I will give it that :).

Posted by
2 posts

Thanks all! This was like #2 on what my husband wanted to see in Paris, so we definitely want to do it, just not spend a few hours waiting in line. We bought tickets online easy enough, so hopefully it goes as smoothly to get in!

Posted by
11507 posts

Michelle I have never really enjoyed it!
First time I went it was because I made a deal with my then 13 yr old son, he had to research three sights he wanted to see in both Paris and London. He found the Catacombs! So had to honor his request in return he couldn't complain about Museum or church visits!
Second time my Hubby's first trip to Paris, and he really wanted to see the!.
And now, 19 yr old daughter had only two requests! Darn!

I agree they are over rated, for me personally, but apparently many folks love them!