Hi, I am going to Paris in May and I have been reading alot about things to do. I heard something about all these bones of people in the catacombes underneath Paris and you can take a tour. Has anyone done it. Is this a good attraction?
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This is one of the coolest things to do in Paris...unless you get sort of spooked by bones. The hours for the catacombs are extremely limited, but here is the latest info that I can find:
Location: Metro Denfert-Rochereau
Open: Tue-Fri 2-4, Sat-Sun 9-11 2-4.
Fee: Adults 33 FF, Children 22 FF - this is old info from their website because France is on the Euro now...but it%26#39;s about $7-8 per person
When you first get off of the metro, it might be easier for you to ask someone where the catacombs are. I can%26#39;t remember exactly which street we turned on.
I would also do a web search on %26#39;Paris Catacombs%26#39; because there are several photos and one will be of the entrance, which is very obscure and easy to miss.
When you first go in, it will seem as if you walk forever before you see anything %26#39;interesting%26#39;. Don%26#39;t give up...keep walking...it%26#39;s there!
Not that you would, but don%26#39;t put any bones or skulls in a tote bag or anything (I mean, really, who would?) because they will search your bags when you leave.
I will say that this was one of the most interesting things that we did in Paris, and we%26#39;re basically normal people...not into anything strange or weird.
I think there%26#39;s a cemetery pretty close to the catacombs, and the Paris cemeteries are like museums in and of themselves; little chapels over family areas and sculptures everywhere; really beautiful.
One more tip on the catacombs - we were smart enough to take a tiny flashlight (the mini maglite) with us. This came in handy because the tunnels are lit but dim, but we were able to use it to see into some further places. I%26#39;d take one if you plan to go.
My vote is definitely yes on the catacombs. The tour is self-guided, so you can spend whatever time you like on whatever you see that interests you.
Have a wonderful trip!
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As they contain the bones of hundreds of thousands of people arranged most artistically, the catacombs are rather interesting. It%26#39;s certainly somthing you can%26#39;t do just anywhere. I believe they will be closed until sometime in May. Be aware that the exit from the tour requires climbing a very long flight of steep stairs.
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Before going to the Catacombs, make sure they are open to the public. I think they are closed until May 2005. Serach the Web, you should easily find their official site, if not go on the Paris city site.
If it is open, go and see for yourself. It%26#39;s an out-of-this-world site.
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When you walk up out of the metro underground, look across the street for a black door in a wall that looks like this photo:
http://triggur.org/cata/entry1.jpg
p.s. you come OUT of the catacombs at a totally different address, I think it%26#39;s rue Couedic - just find ave du General Leclerc at the end of the street and walk north to return to Place Denfert Rochereau (with the big lion statue).
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As others have written it is closed until spring 2005. There is for now no fixed date for the reopening, sometimes in May is the most frequently mentionned.So do not get your hopes to to high for now. There will be new galleries to visit that have been closed since 1995.
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thanks for all your thoughts. It does sound interesting. I have been looking online as suggested but yeah, i cant find any certain dates. Ive decided to try and put it on my things to do list however sense you all seem to think high of it. thanks
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