Catacombs of Paris — reopened visit

The City of Paris reopened the Paris Catacombs to the public on April 8, 2026, after a five-month closure for renovation and technical upgrades. The work capped what city and site officials described as the most significant renovation program since the monument opened to visitors in 1809. The updated visit combines restored underground spaces with new lighting, audio material and exhibition elements designed to guide visitors through the site’s history. Timed-entry tickets are now the standard way in, and the official site says online booking is strongly recommended. ### When did the Catacombs reopen, and who runs them? April 8, 2026 was the reopening date announced by the City of Paris and the Catacombs’ official site. The monument had been closed since November 2025 to complete final technical installations tied to a broader renovation program that began in 2023, according to the city. Paris Musées, the public institution that manages the City of Paris museums, presented the reopening in an April 2026 press dossier with Isabelle Knafou, administrator of the Catacombs, and Anne-Sophie de Gasquet, director general of Paris Musées, named among the project’s senior officials. (paris.fr) The dossier said the work was aimed at preserving the site while improving visitor reception conditions. ### What changed underground after the renovation? The renovation focused on conservation, safety, air quality and lighting in the galleries, according to the official press dossier. The City of Paris said the new route also adds a more immersive exhibition design intended to help visitors better understand the site’s layered history. The city said visitors now receive a personal audio guide for an immersive visit through 11,000 square meters of underground galleries. (catacombes.paris.fr) The narration is available in four languages and is framed around the voice of Louis-Etienne Héricart de Thury, the early-19th-century inspector general of quarries associated with the Catacombs’ development. (paris.fr) Temporary exhibitions are also part of the new setup. The City of Paris said the Catacombs will host shows on historical, artistic or scientific themes, along with commissions for contemporary artists. ### What should visitors know before booking? The official visit page says timed tickets are available online and that booking in advance is strongly recommended. (paris.fr) The site says the average temperature underground is 14 degrees Celsius and conditions can be very humid. The Catacombs require a physically demanding route. The official site says visitors descend 131 steps and climb 112 more on the way out, for a total of 243 steps. (paris.fr) The route itself extends 1.5 kilometers, according to the Catacombs’ official materials. ### What are the current hours and where is the entrance? The City of Paris lists the Catacombs at 1 Avenue du Colonel Rol-Tanguy in the 14th arrondissement, near Denfert-Rochereau. (catacombes.paris.fr) The same city listing shows the site closed on Mondays and open from 9:45 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. from Tuesday through Sunday for the current reopening period running from April 8 to December 20, 2026. The official English-language site directs visitors to the Catacombs’ own booking platform and says online purchase shortens waiting time. The city listing also provides a public contact number and email for visitor inquiries. ### What else is coming after the reopening? May 2026 is the target for the reopening of the Catacombs bookshop at 21 bis Avenue René Coty, according to the official press dossier. (paris.fr) The dossier says the retail space is being relaunched with Arteum and positioned as an extension of the visit at the exit. The same dossier says future programming will include scientific and cultural events beyond the core underground route. (catacombes.paris.fr) For visitors planning a trip this week, the next practical step remains the same: check the official Catacombs site for timed-entry availability and confirm the posted opening hours before going. (catacombes.paris.fr)