Paris catacombs
 

We were hoping to visit the catacombs in a couple of weeks (end of March).
A friend told me that they're unlikely to be open because they flood in Winter. I tried to look it up on the web, but it looks as though entry, in general, is restricted and that we could be fined for going down there at all!
Anybody know the facts? Merci

I just looked at a site (in french) that show them open in March. I have been in the winter and they weren't closed, so I don't know where the friend got the info.

Thanks wanderlust!

In all my trips to Paris, I haven't been to the catacombs and would love to go. But, I have a slight heart problem that makes it difficult for me to climb a lot of stairs without resting or very steep inclines. I won't have a heart attack, but I can't catch my breath and have to stop. Because of this, I haven't tried the catacombs. I'm hoping someone who answers you will know if this would be a problem for me. Is there room to rest? I assume the way out is steep.

Whenever the Seine has high water, the catacombs are closed. This usually occurs in the early spring (if it occurs at all).

There are catacombs and then there are catacombs.
The ones that allow a visit are located at Denfert Rochereau. These tunnels are just a small part of the vast underground beneath Paris, the remainder of which is off-limits. Adventurous (foolhardy) types disobey the restriction and explore on their own, with the goal to avoid police and other officials. It is <i>these</i> catacombs that you read about on your web searches.

The website for the Paris Catacombs is shared with Musee Carnavelet at:
http://www.paris-france.org/musees/m...et/accueil.htm

The Catacombs are open year-round, but if the water table rises or there is heavy rain they may close temporarily, as they are about six stories underground.

The stairs into and out of the Catacombs are spiral stairways with no resting spots to speak of. It's not too bad going down but it's a hike to get back out. The current path itself is about 1.5 km long (1 mi). It is damp throughout most of the path. The path is roomy, although people 6'2&quot; or taller might have to dip their heads a lot. Thanks to recent renovation, the path is well lit and marked and one cannot get lost.

I find the Catacombes rather monotonous (endless corridors with bones stacked along the sites), but some people like it. Kids seem to like it because it's spooky enough to be exciting but it's not actually scary.

And it's the only place I've been to where they check your bags on the way out -- not on the way in. People used to steal skulls and bones and they want to prevent that.
I do recall squeezing past some people on the way out who had stopped to rest. You can't sit down, but no one's going to force you to keep moving if you need to stop and catch your breath.

Sounds like it would be difficult though to stop dead in the middle of the spiral stairs. And I don't want to be a nuisance or a hazzard. Thanks for the answers.

My motherinlaw struggled with the stairs on the way out. A nice guy from Ohio helped her (more likely pulled her) back up the stairs. She needed to use her inhaler afterward. While I'm not in bad shape, the stairs felt like they were going on forever! Maybe you can do some extra step/strengthening exercises before your trip. I did enjoy my Catacombs visit, probably won't go back again. On the way out some previous tourist tried to leave with a leg bone as there was a rather large bone sitting on the table beside the guard. It takes all kinds!

Regarding the &quot;off-limits&quot; catacombs : I don't think the main risk is to be caught by police/surveyors. But besides the fact that you might meet unsavory types (unlikely, but what are you going to do if confronted by someone in some tunnel or underground quarry?), you more likely might get lost. Also, what are you going to do if you have an accident down there?

Anyway, because visiting, throwing parties, etc... in the catacombs became trendy for a short while during the 80's most entrances have been sealed, so I doubt you'll be able to access them without someone to show you the way.

In case you would absolutely want to enter them, and somehow manage to do so, you should do so only with people who know them well. There are already enough skeletons down there, yours isn't needed.

Is this a spend an hour place to visit or something longer ?

Hi

There's this website as well - http://triggur.org/cata/index.html

Marko, it takes about a half to walk through.

Cchottel, there are 83 stairs upon exiting. Hope that helps!

OK, I will put it on the itinerary this time ! May be an effort to drag the spouse along....I will tell her its a <font color="pink">cultural experience ! ;)</font>

A waste of time!

Why drag the spouse? You two can do different things in Paris, you know...
or, while you're down in the depths, she can do some shopping an avenue du General Leclerc, which has a Sephora, a Marionnaude (perfume, cosmetics), a Petit Bateau (infant, children clothing), two Monoprix stores, and a pottery store. There is also rue Daguerre, which is a market street and has food products, book stores, etc.

&quot;Why drag the spouse? You two can do different things in Paris, you know...
or, while you're down in the depths, she can do some shopping...&quot;

Well - my husband would argue that our credit card would be rendered useless after such a &quot;compromise.&quot; :)

I have never been, is it worth all the steps?

Coccinelle, IMO I find it is worth it one time. I really wanted to see it and I'm glad that I did, but having gone the one time I feel no need to go back unless it's to accompany one of my kids.