directions to catacombs

My granddaughter and I will be in Paris on September 3rd and want to see the catacombs. Can anyone tell my how to get from the Gare de Nord to Denfert-Rochereau Metro station. Can we get a metro station near the train station? Do the open buses go past the catacombs? We really want to do the hop on hop off bus so we can see some sites so what does anyone think. All help is appreciated

Thanks

Ginny

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At the gare du Nord, there is a metro and RER station directly in/under the railway station, just follow the signs.

You%26#39;ll need 1 (zone 1-2) metro ticket (€1.60 or cheaper if you buy a %26quot;carnet%26quot; of 10 tickets), hold on to it until you%26#39;ve left the station at your destination.

You can just take the RER - line B in the direction of Massy-Palaiseau will bring you to Denfert-Rochereau in 12 minutes.

When you exit the station (main building), the catacombes are in the first building you see (opposite side of the road).

The Paris OpenTour buses have 4 routes - one of them passes Denfert-Rochereau, and another one passes the Gare du Nord. So getting from GdN to DF by OpenTour buses isn%26#39;t simple. But OpenTour is not the only company doing hop on/hop off bus tours, I think.

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Thank you for your prompt response. Looks like we should get off the train and go straight to the Catacombs and then find a hop on hop off bus to go

to see the Eiffel Tower and whatever else we can squeeze in. What do you think of that plan?

Thanks again

Ginny

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Make sure you bring a flashlight and wear a sweater. No heels as the stairs to the underground maybe slippery or wet.

I find some people if they are going to walk alot thru it will also bring an umbrella so whatever drips from the walls and ceilings doesn%26#39;t get on them.

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Thanks Discover for your prompt reply. Do you think we should do the Catacombs first before the Eiffel Tower or vise versa? We will only be here for 1 day and going back to London the same day.

Thanks

Ginny

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Kids seem to love the catacombs. Anyway, here is something you should know: When you exit the catacombs you will not be anywhere close to where you entered. Take a good street map and be prepared to ask for directions!

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So I have heard. Can I send away for a Paris street map or just buy it there?

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1. whichever activity is the MOST important is the one you do first.

2. If you are exiting the RER station, the entrance to the catacombs is not really the first building you see across the street (if you are exiting the Denfert-Rocherea METRO station, then it is).

An easy way to find the entrance is to go to Google Maps. Enter %26quot;place denfert rochereau, paris%26quot;. Change to Satellite view. Zoom in. The RER station is a curved building at the corner of avenue Rene Coty and blvd St Jacques. You can even see the white marks of the cross-walks. Cross ave Rene Coty, then right to cross place Denfert Rochereau, then turn to the left and go to the corner(bldg w/brown roof), turn to the right (see the Lion of Belfort?) - walk toward the lion but keep your eyes on the walls at your right and find the entrance.

You come out of the Catacombs onto rue Remy Dumoncel, further south of Denfert Rochereau (between metros Alesia and Mouton Duvernet).

The metro line 6 runs between Denfert Rochereau and Bir Hakeim (by the Eiffel).

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You can find all manner of Paris maps in the travel section of your local bookstore, or look at Amazon.com, even buy a used one for %26#39;cheap%26#39; there. (but don%26#39;t pay more than $8. including s/h, or it isn%26#39;t worth it).

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Thanks.. With all the help I am sure I will do fine. Hopefully with doing the Catacombs and the Eiffel Tower (if we have time we can walk around a bit) we should be able to make it to the train station.

Thank you again for all your advice

Ginny

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Hi, I went twice last year once with my daughter, then my friends daughter wanted to go after hearing all about it, there was a guy as we exited, he was there to give directions and spoke excellent English. I got the feeling he%26#39;s a there all the time at the exit.

Having said this the first day I only half listened to his instructions and we went miles off the beaten track.