Paris Catacombs reopen, what does the new route look like?

After months of closure, the Catacombs of Paris are finally gearing up to reopen to the public. The iconic Paris site unveils its new updates starting from April 8, 2026. The ticket office is already open. Tickets are expected to sell out quickly, as the ticketing system only offers slots for the next seven days to curb fraud. For pricing, expect between €31 (full price) and €25 for the reduced rate.

The Catacombs of Paris attract many tourists and the curious every year: in the basements of Paris lies a gigantic ossuary where the remains of millions of Parisians are preserved. This unique site, with its rich history, is a curiosity to be visited at least once during a stay in Paris. However, the Catacombs are deteriorating over time.

In 2023, the City of Paris therefore launched a major restoration program, scheduled to last until spring 2026. The underground museum is benefiting from renovation work at several points along the route, modernization of facilities and a new scenography for visitors.

The City of Paris explains: " These works will be carried out with a dual objective: to ensure better conservation of the remains, and to improve visitor comfort, thanks to a completely renewed scenography, articulated around a new narrative project highlighting the entire history of the site ".

Here are the key points of this ambitious project:

• Restoration of the "Hague des Martyrs de septembre": launched in autumn 2023, this restoration is the first stage of the program. It highlights the fragility and historical importance of these bone structures, right in the heart of the Catacombs.
  
  
• Renovation of two other hagues (2024-2025): work continues with the restoration of two other hagues, scheduled for 2024 and 2025. These restorations are part of the long-term preservation of the ossuary.
  
  
• Modernization of technical installations (2025-2026): this crucial part of the program aims to renew the Catacombs' technical installations. The aim is twofold: to improve conservation of the remains, and to offer an enhanced visitor experience, with a completely revamped scenography and narrative trail.

The"Hague des Martyrs de Septembre" is a poignant witness to the French Revolution, recalling the tragedies of September 1792, when many political prisoners were executed.

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The Catacombs mediation trail has also been enhanced. Since September 2023, visitors have benefited from new explanatory panels, improved signage and interactive digital devices. A multilingual audioguide guides visitors through the 1.5 km-long historical and geological trail.

The modernization work continues in 2025 and 2026 to transform the Catacombs experience. The technical facilities are being upgraded to offer a more immersive and informative visit, highlighting the site's full history and heritage. To complete this final phase, the Catacombs had to temporarily close their doors to the public: from November 3, 2025, until spring 2026, the historic site was inaccessible.

The Catacombes de Paris, an integral part of the City of Paris's 14 museums and sites, stands as a cornerstone of Parisian heritage. This restoration program offers a unique opportunity to discover or rediscover this historic site, a living testament to Paris's history and a tribute to past generations.

So, what exactly has changed since the reopening?

The reception area has been completely redesigned, and the huge ticketing hall is a thing of the past as reservations are now mainly online: at the last minute, the catacombs are often sold out.

The staging remains the same, but what really changes is the new lighting: it helps visitors better grasp the space by spotlighting details that might have gone unnoticed. The bone gallery benefits too, while preserving that subdued ambiance that fuels the mysterious atmosphere some visitors expect from a site like this.

Speaking of scenography, the audio headsets available in four languages (French, English, Spanish and German) are included in the ticket price and bring a touch of theatricality to the route. The story of the catacombs is narrated to you by Louis-Etienne Héricart de Thury, the Inspector General of Quarries, accompanied by fictional characters. In total, around twenty sequences unfold automatically as you progress through your visit. These headsets are suitable for all audiences, ages 8 and up, and visitors are free to decide whether to experience the tour with or without them. They are not recommended for visitors who walk quickly, as they may malfunction if you rush through the steps. On the other hand, if you’re willing to take your time and let this narrative carry you, it can add a meaningful extra dimension to your visit.

As always, taller visitors will often have to duck due to the cramped spaces: the ceilings aren’t very high. In certain areas, specifically in the bone gallery, the formerly earthen floor has been covered with a concrete slab, making the tour more comfortable. That’s not the case everywhere, and despite these renovations, the site remains inaccessible to people with reduced mobility: the site is too delicate to permit the installation of the necessary infrastructure.

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