Catacombs in Paris
 

Anyone been to the Catacombs in Paris? How long did the "walk" last? Do you view it on your own or is there a guide there? And, finally, did you think it was worth it? Yes/no - and why.

Thanks.

I went back in 2002. It's about 1/2 a mile walking underground as I recall. Yeah, it's pretty cool - just lots of bones, stacked up neatly along the walls as you walk by more and more of them. If you're creeped out by such things, maybe you should avoid it. I wasn't - I even had my picture taken in front of the bones. I'm glad I visited but have little desire to go again.

It's about a half-hour walk, on your own. Can't answer "is it worth it?" questions as I have no idea who you are or what you enjoy doing. My kids and I liked it, but we had done some reading on it, so it was more than a tunnel full of bones for us.

Be sure to take a sweater or jacket - it's quite cool down there even in summer. And the floors can be damp.

And don't be surprised when you exit - you'll be a ways away from where you entered and will need to get your bearings.

You will also need to climb up many, many stairs to return to the surface.

Lots of information in these two threads:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34984367

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35015129

Kenav, I read somewhere online (I think it was either paris.fr or a link from there) that the catacombes will be "ferme pour traveaux de 19 Nov 2007 au 18 Fev 2008."

it's here:
http://paris.fr/portail/Culture/Port...rtlet_id=14628

"ATTENTION ! : FERMETURE DES CATACOMBES POUR TRAVAUX DU MARDI 20 NOVEMBRE 2007 A MARS 2008"

We went to the Catacombs this past August and it was definitely interesting, so go. I would go when they first open as the line can be long and slow. Be sure to bring a flashlight, we were glad we did. It's about a 2 mile walk in a very closed in space, dark and damp and you do it without a guide. There are 86 stone spiral steps to exit, we counted.

One rainy day we dedicated to the "underground" side of Paris . We went to both the catacombs and the sewer. Both self guided and actually kind of cool to do. It was November so I suspect the sewer smell was beeter than it might be in August .... all in all a worthwhile day.

Looked at the Catcombs site and you're right MademoiselleFifi - it says it will be closed when we're there. Too bad.

So, another question - Anyone ever do Passage de Paris walk(s)? Some I've found are: Passage Bour-l'abbe, Passage de Grand-Cerf, Galerie Vivienne/Galerie Colbert and Passaage de Caire.

Any favorites?

We toured the catacombs with guide Michael Osman. His commentary made it a very interesting experience.

We didn't think it creepy at all, and yes, there are lots of stairs to climb on the way out.

Byrd

The pasages are a fun way to do a an unexpected view of Paris - I thank Michael Osman for showing us several.

I see on the Paris.fr website that it's 7 € regular admission and an additional 4,50 € for guided tours.

Have any of you done the 11am "VISITES CONFÉRENCES," and are they more interesting than just exploring on one's own?

There's really not much in the way of exploring, as you just follow the path.

My question was about the guided tour-- are the guides interesting and informative enough to be worth getting there at 11am?

We were there in August. Glad we went but unlikely to go again.

As others mentioned, a flashlight would be useful... we forgot ours and there are many areas that are very dim.

One piece of advice ...
when you leave, you will be about 1.7 km from where you entered and it's a bit disorienting after twisting and turning underground... turn right when you hit the sidewalk and you're about 3 or 4 blocks from
where you started at Place Denfert Rochereau.

Rob