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All you need to know about the Paris Catacombs on a map

Did you know there’s a giant maze of tunnels hiding right beneath the streets of Paris?

→ You only see a tiny slice of it: The visitor route covers just a small part of the sprawling underground quarry network.
→ Millions of Parisians ended up down here: Their remains were moved underground from overcrowded cemeteries starting in the late 1700s.
→ And yes, you’re going deep: Descend around 20 metres below Paris into narrow corridors filled with old quarry markings, stacked bones, and walls of skulls.

🗺️ Before you head underground, get your bearings above it. Use the map below to spot the Catacombs entrance, nearby Metro and RER stations, bus stops, landmarks, and useful places around the area. Because getting lost inside the Catacombs is atmospheric. Getting lost on the way there? Not so much.

​Plan your visit to the Catacombs

Paris Catacombs map

Paris Catacombs | Where is it located?

The Paris Catacombs are located in the 14th arrondissement of Paris, right by Place Denfert-Rochereau.

  • Paris Catacombs entrance: 1 Avenue du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy, 75014 Paris
    → This is where all visitors begin their Catacombs experience, close to Denfert-Rochereau Metro and RER station.
  • Paris Catacombs exit: 21 bis Avenue René-Coty, 75014 Paris
    → The route is one-way, so you’ll emerge at a different point, roughly 700 metres from the entrance.
  • Nearest Metro/RER: Denfert-Rochereau
    → Served by Metro lines 4 and 6 and RER B, making it the easiest public-transport stop for the Catacombs.

💀 Good to know: Don’t go hunting for those mysterious “secret entrances” you may have seen online. The official visitor entrance above is the only one you should use — the wider underground quarry network is not part of the public Catacombs route.

​Detailed Paris Catacombs directions

Visitor facilities at the Paris Catacombs

🚻 Restrooms: Toilets are available at both the entrance and exit of the Catacombs, but not inside.

🎧 Audio guides: An audio guide is available in English, French, Spanish, and German, with an audio-described French version for visually impaired visitors.

🛍️ Gift & bookshop: Pick up books, souvenirs, and Catacombs-themed gifts at the shop near the end of the visitor route**.

🅿️ Paid parking: Paid parking is available nearby on Boulevard Saint-Jacques.

🚲 Bike station: A Vélib’ bike-sharing station is located nearby at 2 Avenue René-Coty.

Must-see highlights of the Paris Catacombs

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Tips for your Paris Catacombs visit

  • Arrive a little early: Entry is timed, so leave enough time to find the entrance and check in before your slot.
  • Wear comfortable shoes: Expect 131 steps down, 112 steps up, and uneven underground floors.
  • Bring a light layer: The Catacombs stay cool underground, even when it’s warm outside.
  • Pack light: Large bags and suitcases aren’t allowed, and there are no lockers or cloakrooms onsite.
  • Use the audio guide: It helps you make sense of the galleries, inscriptions, and stories as you walk.
  • Keep your flash off: Photography is allowed, but flash and tripods are not permitted.
  • Take public transport: Denfert-Rochereau station is a short walk from the entrance.
  • Remember the exit is elsewhere: The route is one-way, so you’ll emerge at a different point from where you entered.
  • Don’t rush through: Look beyond the walls of bones for quarry markings, inscriptions, and other details along the route.