Catacombs History and Dark Paris PRIVATE EXTERIOR Tour
Description
Discover the mysterious and darker side of Paris on this private walking tour exploring the history of the Paris Catacombs and underground Paris—without entering the Catacombs. Led by a professional local guide, this experience focuses on the origins of the Catacombs, Paris’s underground tunnels, cemeteries, plagues, revolutions, and the hidden stories beneath the city streets. This tour is designed as a historical and cultural exploration, perfect if Catacombs tickets are sold out or if you want to understand the site before or after a visit. This is a 100% private tour, created exclusively for you and your group.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Paris Catacombs Entrance (Exterior Only) Stand outside the official entrance of the Paris Catacombs and uncover the dramatic story behind one of the city’s most mysterious sites. Learn why millions of bones were moved underground, how the ossuary was created, and what makes the Catacombs so unique—explained clearly from the outside, without entering.
Explore this historic square built above former underground quarries. Discover how this area became a key gateway to underground Paris and hear stories about its strategic importance during different periods of Parisian history, including World War II.
Walk along the avenue named after a leader of the French Resistance. ENTER The 2nd World War Bunker and Learn how underground tunnels beneath Paris were used as secret command centers during World War II and how the city’s underground played a crucial role in its liberation.
Stroll through one of Paris’s most famous cemeteries and discover the contrast between burial traditions above ground and the vast ossuaries below the city. See the graves of famous artists, writers, and thinkers while learning about Parisian funerary art and symbolism.
Walk along Rue Froidevaux, a street directly connected to the Catacombs area. Hear stories about underground quarry networks, modern-day explorers known as “cataphiles,” and the hidden world that still exists beneath Paris’s streets.
Conclude the tour in the Montparnasse area with a summary of Paris’s underground history, how the city manages its hidden spaces today, and general advice for exploring Paris responsibly.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- This tour does not include entry to the Paris Catacombs. All explanations take place outside the Catacombs and at nearby historical locations.
Reviews(4)
Ashu was an outstanding tour guide! His knowledge of the Catacombs, Montparnasse Cemetery, and the Liberation of Paris Museum made each stop memorable. He shared fascinating historical facts, interesting stories, and meaningful context that made the tour fascinating. Ashu's passion for history was evident throughout the tour, and he presented the information in a way that was both informative and easy to follow. He was friendly, approachable, and happy to answer questions, making the experience enjoyable for our family. I highly recommend touring with Ashu. His expertise made this one of the best experiences of our visit to Paris!
Very enriching, both historically and culturally. Thank you! It was a great experience.
I didn't expect to feel emotional on a history walk but walking through Montparnasse Cemetery with our guide pointing out the graves of Sartre, de Beauvoir, and Baudelaire was genuinely moving. The whole tour has this quiet, reflective atmosphere that suits the subject matter perfectly. The guide clearly loves Paris and it shows. Meeting at the pharmacy was easy to find. Small private group kept it personal. Excellent experience.
A waste of time and money. Not all the promised stops were made and the timeline is terrible. We were removed from the cemetery early because the company did not take into account the special holiday schedule. Not worth it, but the price is very high. I highlight the good attitude of the guide, but it does not compensate for the horrible organization of the tour. You see absolutely nothing.
Gracias por tu reseña, pero ignoras que el verdadero problema fue que no hablas inglés y reservaste un tour en inglés. Este es un tour histórico, así que depende principalmente del idioma. Te quejas de la organización cuando reservaste el tour equivocado. English: Thank you for your review, But you ignore the real problem was that you don't speak English and you booked a tour in English. This is a history tour so it depends mainly on language. You complain about the organization while you booked the wrong tour.
