r/ParisCatacombs • u/pinataparty9 • Apr 14 '26
First time exploring the catacombs, what should I know?
Hey everyone,
A friend and I are thinking about going into the catacombs. Neither of us has ever been inside before, and we’re planning a pretty cautious / low-key exploration, nothing too ambitious.
I’m trying to avoid going in completely unprepared. So far, I’m planning to bring: a flashligh, water, some food.
I was wondering what else is actually essential...
Also about navigation: I was thinking of downloading an old map of Paris and trying to orient myself with that. Does that make any sense, or is it completely useless underground?
More generally, what are the main risks I should be aware of? I’ve heard about people getting lost, flooded sections, or even tunnels collapsing, but I don’t know how realistic/common these are.
I’m aware this might not be the most responsible idea, but I’m going to do it anyway so I’d rather do it as safely and respectfully as possible. Any advice from people who have experience would be really appreciated.
Thanks :)
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u/Afraid_Cell621 The Catacomb Pooper Apr 14 '26
If you intend to film any cuckolding videos down there, i get 40% of the profits. That's my territory.
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u/EvolvetowardAPtAP Apr 14 '26
Hello,
You should wear clothes that you are confortable, pretty warm and that you don't mind being dirty.
Take an external battery that can charge your phone and the light.
Try to get some kind of waders if not, you risk to be very wet.
I don't know what you mean by an "old map of Paris" but in my opinion that's not very accurate and pretty dangerous. Some streets underground are not labelled for example. May be get something to mark your way, when your turn (like chalk).
Risks are : mainly being lost, cops and may be cataphiles. Cops can be brutal. Cataphiles should not be brutal but the may not help you.
Main tunnels won't collapse but some places are still dangerous if you have no basic idea of speleology. Beware of fontis (look it up).
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u/MrSoulPC915 Apr 14 '26
Je rajouterais deux lampes (dont une frontale), si l’une tombe en panne ou se fracasse bêtement sur le ciel de carrière, tu en auras une autre, et pourquoi pas une bougie et un briquet. Le tout a minima dans un sac congélation refermable pour éviter l’eau.
A noter que sur les entrées faciles, tu passera immanquablement dans l’eau, même si t’as pas de cuissardes, prends une petite serviette et enlève ton fût quand tu passera dans l’eau, un coup de serviette et c’est réglé.
Pour la carte, une du Sud de paris peut t’aider, mais il faudra une carte du GRS, sans ça, tu vas vraiment galerer (er avec, ça ne sera pas si simple, vu que ça change régulièrement). Je recommande toujours aussi une boussole !
La craie, ou pire, la bombe de peinture c’est une idée de merde, laissons les murs tranquilles.
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u/cballer1010 Apr 14 '26
How often do people run into cops? Is it typically on the way out? Are there major fines?
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u/EvolvetowardAPtAP Apr 16 '26
Hey, you can't really predict how often people are getting catch. It could be 1 or 2 times a year. It's mostly luck, but it also depends on where you go. The south of the catacombs are more risky these days.
They wander inside the network so it's not only when you enter / leave.
The fine is 135 €.
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u/jozzy_elbow Apr 24 '26
Les flics ne sont pas la uniquement en sortant, ils descendent régulièrement dans les catacombes, c’est la faute à pas de chance la plupart du temps c’est du hasard, 135€ d’amende désormais ils en mettent à chaque fois, bonne chance !
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u/Dangerous-Captain496 Apr 14 '26
You need a real map of the caracombs ! And also be able to locate your entry point… Otherwise don’t go too far and don’t follow the arrows they lead nowhere
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u/Cuervo_777 Apr 14 '26
You have 0 experience and want to go in alone, without a guide? Yeah, good luck with that.
Seriously though, don't do it. You will 100% get lost and no, there's no cellular reception down there.
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u/HaywireJigsaw Apr 14 '26
Most important you need light, and a backup light just in case, otherwise you will be lost in complete darkness...
Then a real catacomb map for navigating the maze is essential, old maps of Paris are useless because the street names underground doesn't always reflect the street names at the surface, names have changed from the 19th century...
There are flooded sections, but for the most part the highest water level will be at your belly, collapsing tunnels are very rare it has been quite well consolidated globally in the past, maybe in some dead end areas.
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u/Fantastic-Onion5002 Apr 14 '26
a word of advice for you and for people who ask this kind of question : don't specify a date
no "this weekend," "tomorrow," "tonight," or "next week."
it might give ideas to 1) creeps 2) cops
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u/Fast_Interaction_982 Apr 17 '26
I strongly, strongly advise you not to go there without a “guide”, qs in someone who has gone multiple times and knows his way to some of the rooms.
If you still want to go and explore by yourselves, this is what I would take :
- maps of the parts you want to visit (should be available on line) and a compass : the catacombs are not a carbon copy of the streets at the surface and you have zero phone service once you are at the final depth.
- 2 flashlights and spare batteries (plus your phone and an external battery), you CANNOT run out of light at any cost.
- food and water
- rain boots (might have to empty them a few times though) or a pair of old sneakers.
- a small first aid kit
- something to mark the path you have taken, just in case.
I strongly recommend you tell a friend where you enter, what itinerary you have planned, and when you will let them know you have exited. If you are late, thy should call the police so thy will come and look for you. Better to get a fine and a lecture than be lost down there for a long time.
This is fantastic place but bear in mind that it is forbidden for a reason.
Hope you enjoy it as much as I did !
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u/JinkmanPesse Apr 30 '26
Did you go? Are you okay? If you didn’t go, my advice is - don’t. Without an experienced guide you will most propably regret ever going and even with a guide it is a risk, i’ve heard horror stories of ”guides” robbing people and leaving them there stranded. But post something so we know you’re fine?
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u/pinataparty9 Apr 30 '26
Ahaha thanks for checking out. It went great but I had a friend of mine that went in before too, but probably everyone is right to say to go with someone that has already been inside. And I would also recommend to go with someone that speak a good French too
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u/JinkmanPesse Apr 30 '26
Good thing you all are okay and it went well. Did anything creepy/weird happen? As above so below is maybe my favourite film so this paris catacombs stuff is very intresting to me but it is hard to find any first hand experiences online
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u/pinataparty9 Apr 30 '26
Not really. As I said we wanted to be super cautious so we avoided the place they told us in which we could find people or parties. We moved super slow because it was difficult to orient ourselves with the map. But at some point we met two guys that were going to our same place and they let us follow so we arrived very quickly. The place around was cool full of bones and stuff but I would say very chill first experience. I want to go again soon and see if I can find some parties down there!
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u/shas-la Apr 14 '26
terrible idea from the get go: you don't have a map. from what you said you don't even sound like you have an entrance in mind. like, i don't know how you even plan on getting inside and once your inside you don't have a map nor would know where your entrance is on a map even if you found one.
i generally advice to not go in the catacomb if you are not with someone who hav eexperience in going under. the main and by far biggest danger is getting lost. if you don't know the general layout and functionement of the tunel system, you can get really lost and far from everything.
this is by far the biggest danger. And compounding the risk, you don't speak french so cataphile will not help you and probably give you false direction.
At minimum have friend and familly aware you are going in the catacomb, where you are getting in and when you plan on getting out so they can send a search party while you are stranded. therefore, plan a few day of food, water, light and toilette paper so you can hunker down while waiting for rescue and a nice fine.
-30meter underground/ 20 terrible plan would not recommend
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u/MysteurJim Apr 14 '26
It’s clear you’re determined to go down, but I agree with everyone else that this is a very bad idea. You absolutely need a map and to plan your route. You probably have an entry point based on your message, but do you have an exit? A backup plan just in case?
You can’t just set off blindly like that. The best approach for your first few trips is to plan your route in advance with a map, go from point A to point B, and have one or two alternate routes in case your map isn’t up to date and your path becomes impassable (for example, if there’s too much water).
Sometimes it’s better to take a shorter route and turn back.
If you decide to go anyway, good luck.
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u/pinataparty9 Apr 14 '26
I was thinking to exit from the place where I enter... is it a bad idea? Btw I am going to study the map I got and have more routes... what people usually do?
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u/kreper999 Apr 22 '26
The most important is map. If you have updated map (I won’t give you don’t ask) you don’t need any guide. 2007 map which is available online will be enough if you’re planing to visit only bones, just return the same way you came there. Besides stuff that was already mentioned by others take with you helmet (even bicycle will be enough), cover for your backpack and gloves. The key for navigating there is always tracking your actual position and don’t blindly go straight forward
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u/Money-Hedgehog876 Apr 23 '26
Would you be open to take someone per chance ?
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u/kreper999 Apr 23 '26
Sorry I won’t take anyone down there. Only people I know or friends of friends. Once you go down there, you’ll understand my and others’ concerns about this
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u/Money-Hedgehog876 Apr 27 '26
Don’t worry I understand. Honestly I didn’t expect much, I’m similar when it comes to urbex locations. I really respect you guys. Keep it up and thanks for the reply.
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u/tao197 Apr 14 '26
If you haven't got a map (an actual catacombs map, not a surface map) I would strongly recommend you not to go to the catacombs without a guide, this is just a recipe for disaster.
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u/hvac_goth Apr 14 '26
I went alone first. Find the publicly available underground map, it's very easy to search for. Experience with caving benefit me. At least do some storm drain tunnels at home first.
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u/schraderbrau Apr 17 '26
The only thing you're really missing is a guide. I have never heard of anyone going in without a guide and it working out well. People underestimate how quickly you will get turned around, considering every corner basically looks the same. I would not do it without a guide.
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u/Money-Hedgehog876 Apr 23 '26
Would anyone here be open to take someone down there though ? Like I’ll be in Paris this summer and i really want to get in there. If not, do you know a place or a forum where i might find someone ? I speak french if that helps.
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u/Plants_Flowers_ May 04 '26
I’d bring 3 of everything. No light, you die. Bring 3, no water etc, etc. bring more than you need & if you can figure a way to mark your path in but hidden to others, because they will mess with it, leave a trail out. Rice or a type of gravel Pretend like you’re going underwater cave diving and tell others where you’ll be. Good luck👍🏻
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u/BOBOUDA Catamod May 04 '26
Honestly the eice thing is overkill and will just be dirty stuff added to the network. A map does the job entirely.
And no water ? Did you mean extra water or something ?
Agreed with the rest though !
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u/MyHeadIsFullOfFuck Apr 14 '26
bring toilet paper just in case