A 1,500-meter visitor route that reaches 20 meters underground and an observatory with a history dating back to 1667 give Paris 14 two very different cultural perspectives. There are also green spaces that differ in size and design. The way to visit and the specific conditions vary by location.

The Paris Catacombs: stairs and an underground route

The Paris Catacombs can only be accessed by stairs: 131 steps lead down, and 112 lead back up. The visitor route is 1,500 meters long and reaches 20 meters underground. For planning your day, two specific factors are therefore important: the stairs in both directions and the underground distance. Check the latest practical visitor information before your visit, as details may change.

Green spaces with different features

Parc Montsouris is a 15-hectare green space with an artificially created hilly landscape on the site of a former quarry. The Cité internationale campus is set in a 34-hectare park managed ecologically. These offer different features for comparison: at Parc Montsouris, the shaped hilly landscape and former quarry use are the main features, while the campus park stands out for its size and ecological management. If landscapes are among your travel interests, this distinction can help you identify what each place has to offer.

The Observatory: institutional history and architecture

The Paris Observatory combines institutional history with architecture. Founded in 1667, it has been in continuous operation for more than 350 years. Its historic building is aligned with the four cardinal directions and was designed by Claude Perrault. The founding date and continuous operation relate to the institution’s history; the alignment and design describe the building. This lets you focus your visit on either its long institutional continuity or its specific architectural features.

Cimetière du Montparnasse and Moulin de la Charité

Cimetière du Montparnasse opened on July 25, 1824. The grounds contain 1,200 trees representing 40 different species; the cemetery is also the resting place of numerous figures from politics and, in particular, the arts. Here, a precise opening date, the tree population and a cultural dimension come together. If you would like to consider historic sites for more than just their architecture, these different features offer further ways to guide your choice.

A visit to Moulin de la Charité is clearly limited in scope: it can only be viewed from the outside. Bear this in mind if visiting interior spaces is important to your trip. Here, an exterior visit is the only option.

Guided tours of the Cité internationale

The Centre du patrimoine offers themed guided tours of the Cité internationale throughout the year for groups and individuals. Reservations are required. This makes it possible to plan the visit as a guided activity; the theme and the need to reserve are important when planning your schedule. Booking conditions may change, so check them before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Paris 11, 7th Arrondissement, Paris 8, Gobelins, 18th Arrondissement, Ménilmontant, L'entrepot, 1st Arrondissement

For the broader travel overview: Paris.