About Denfert-Rochereau
Denfert-Rochereau is the gateway to the Paris Catacombs - the vast underground ossuary containing the bones of approximately 6 million Parisians, transferred from overflowing city cemeteries between 1786 and 1860. The Catacombs are among the most extraordinary and genuinely unsettling experiences available in Paris: kilometres of quarry tunnels lined with carefully arranged bones and skulls, created with a peculiar aesthetic sensibility by the quarry inspectors who arranged them. Book tickets well in advance - they sell out weeks or months ahead in peak season.
The RER B from Denfert-Rochereau provides direct connections to both CDG Airport (about 30 minutes) and Orly Airport (connection at Antony for OrlyVal), making this an important transport node for south Paris residents.
Station Overview
Zone 1. Lines 4 and 6, plus RER B. No step-free access on Métro; RER B has step-free access.
Travel Tips
- Paris Catacombs tickets sell out weeks or months in advance - book online immediately upon planning your trip
- The official Catacombs entrance is a 5-minute walk from the station on Avenue du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy
- RER B from here to CDG Airport takes approximately 30 minutes, running every 10–15 minutes
- Parc Montsouris (10 minutes walk south) is a beautifully designed Haussmann-era park with a lake - excellent for a post-Catacombs recovery walk
Nearby Attractions
Paris Catacombs - 5 minutes walk. The world's largest ossuary - 6 million remains in quarry tunnels beneath Paris. Admission charged; book online months in advance. Open Tuesday to Sunday.
Parc Montsouris - 10 minutes walk south. A 15-hectare park with an artificial lake, waterfalls and extensive lawns. Free; open daily.
Timings and Best Time to Travel
Standard Métro hours. The Catacombs open at 09:45 Tuesday to Sunday. Arrive exactly at opening time for the shortest wait even with a booked ticket. The underground temperature is a constant 14°C - bring a layer regardless of the outside temperature.
Nearest Metro to Paris Catacombs
If you are heading to Paris Catacombs, Denfert-Rochereau is your closest metro stop on the Ligne 4. It also gives easy access to Lion de Belfort sculpture and Parc Montsouris. Use the fare calculator to plan your journey cost before you travel.
Stations on This Line
Traveller Tips
- 1Paris Catacombs entrance is a 5-minute walk (book online well in advance - often sold out weeks ahead)
- 2RER B from here goes direct to CDG Airport (~30 min) and connects for Orly
- 3The Lion of Belfort sculpture in the square is a 1/10th scale replica of the Belfort original
- 4Parc Montsouris (lovely Haussmann park with lake) is a 10-minute walk south
Accessibility
Step-free access information is limited for this station. Contact the Paris Metro helpline for assistance planning your journey.