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To unlock the door to the Catacombs of Val-aux-Tombes on Elden Ring, you must pull a lever hidden deeper inside the dungeon.

This lever is located at the base of a statue of a hooded skeleton, after you've made your way past the first blocked room. Once pulled, the door opens and grants you access to boss.

These catacombs are located in the The Weeping Peninsula, south of Necrolimbe. From the nearest Site of Grace, head toward the Pilgrims' Church. The entrance to the dungeon is right nearby, along the path.

Complete Walkthrough for the Catacombs of Val-aux-Tombes on Elden Ring

Here is the complete walkthrough for the Catacombs of Val-aux-Tombes, step by step, to unlock the door, make your way through the dungeon, and defeat the boss.

Location and Access to the Dungeon

The Catacombs of Val-aux-Tombes are located on the Weeping Peninsula, south of Necrolimbe. It's an optional area that becomes accessible very early in the game.

From the Pilgrims' Church sanctuary, follow the cliff westward. The entrance to the keep is carved into the rock and is easy to spot on the map. If you haven't unlocked this area yet, check out our guide to unlock cards on Elden Ring.

This dungeon is available on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series. The walkthrough is the same regardless of your platform.

How do you unlock the door to the Catacombs of Val-aux-Tombes?

The closed door of the catacombs is unlocked by a hidden lever located further down in the dungeon. Here is the step-by-step walkthrough:

Enter the catacombs from the Site of Grace, south of Necrolimbe.
Go down the corridors to the deeper chambers of the dungeon.
Look for the lever hidden at the very bottom, at the base of a statue of a hooded skeleton.
Pull the lever: the door unlocks and the path to the boss opens.

These Val-aux-Tombes Catacombs These areas are optional, but you'll have to use this lever to complete the dungeon walkthrough. Be sure to pick up the items along the way before facing the boss.

Items to Collect in the Catacombs

Several useful items are located in the catacombs before you reach boss. Take the time to explore each corridor so you don't miss anything. These resources will help you as you continue your progress through Elden Ring.

Take the time to explore the corridors to gather useful resources, such as the Nomadic Warrior's Manual and various Sepulchral Lilies, which are essential for upgrading your spiritual ashes.

Keep in mind that there are no NPCs or merchants in this dungeon. No side quests here—just exploration and a boss battle.

Enemies Found in the Catacombs of Val-aux-Tombes

The dungeon is mainly populated by skeletons (warriors and archers) and goblins. The skeletons are the most persistent enemies: don’t forget to strike their remains on the ground to prevent them from getting back up.

Use a fast weapon, because the skeletons will keep getting back up until you destroy their leftovers on the floor. Finish off every soldier or skeleton on the ground to prevent them from returning to battle in the narrow corridors.

Here are a few tips for getting through the dungeon without losing too many lives:

Hit the skeletons on the ground after defeating them to prevent them from getting back up.
Fire is particularly effective against certain dungeon enemies.

Tips Before Taking the boss Exam

A few tips on keep in mind Before walking through the door of boss:

Pick up all the items along the way before entering the arena.
Make sure your bottles are full.
Prepare a spiritual ash capable of attracting the attention of the boss.

Walkthrough for boss in the Catacombs of Val-aux-Tombes

At the end of the dungeon, behind the door you need to unlock, you'll find the’Graveyard Shadow or (Cemetery Shade). This ghostly boss teleports constantly and strikes with lightning speed. It is one of the most agile bosss on the Weeping Peninsula.

Strategy for Defeating the Shadow of the Cemetery

This boss moves quickly and often catches the unprepared players. Here are some tips for defeating him:

Stay active and dodge to the sides when he disappears: he often reappears right behind you.
Keep going with the hits as soon as he is vulnerable, to end the fight quickly.
A spiritual ashes Something that catches his attention gives you time to strike from behind.
L'Graveyard Shadow is vulnerable to fire damage: exploit this weakness.
Stay close to him so that limit the number of times he teleports and maintain control of the fight.

The Key : Press your back against it as soon as possible.

boss Award

As a reward, you receive the spiritual ashes of Lhutel the Headless. This is one of the best early-game spiritual ashes for absorbing and deflecting boss attacks. It excels thanks to its shield and its ability to teleport, making it difficult for boss to ignore.

Guide to the boss and NPCs Associated with the Weeping Peninsula

The Weeping Peninsula is an area packed with content for the walkthrough Elden Ring. Several NPCs and boss intersect there. Here are a few highlights you won't want to miss in this region.

NPCs and Quests You Won't Want to Miss

Kenneth Haight, Heir to Necrolimbe : This NPC gives you a quest related to the fortification of Necrolimbe, not far from the catacombs. The quest for Kenneth Haight, heir to Necrolimbe is linked to the game's overall progression.
Sire Gideon Ofnir the Omniscient : It centralizes information on the boss and the areas to be explored in the Cité Ronde d’Or. Gideon Ofnir the Omniscient is an essential NPC for the main walkthrough.
Hyetta, the Seeker of Light : NPC associated with the "Law of the Glowing Ones" quest. Hyetta the Seeker appears several times in the northern region.
Ranni the Witch : A key NPC in one of the game's longest and most rewarding quests.
Latenna the Albinauric : An NPC whose quest leads to a powerful spiritual ash.

Notable DLC Bosses

If you're playing DLC Shadow of the Erdtree, there are several boss challenges waiting for you in addition to the main walkthrough:

Rellana, Knightess of the Twin Moons : boss from the DLC Shadow of the Erdtree, a formidable dual-sword-wielding knight. The Divine Rellana, Knight of the Moons is one of the most technically challenging boss levels in the downloadable content.
Romina, Saint of the Bud : boss from the DLC, guardian of a corrupted forest area.
Bayle the Terrible : Dragon boss from the DLC, among the most formidable opponents to face.
the Dancing Lion of the Divine Beast : Spectacular boss from the DLC. the Dancer of the Divine Beast, Rellana the Knight is often cited as one of the most memorable battles.
the Lord of the Exalted Flame : boss related to the end of the DLC, guardian of a destructive power.
The Priestess of the Draconic Communion : boss Mid-Term Report on the DLC. Igon, Priestess of the Communion precedes the final showdown in this section of the content.
the Knight of the Black Prison : boss, a recurring element you come across in several areas of the DLC. the Knight of the Prison Test your skills at dodging and blocking.

Other important areas to explore in Elden Ring

To help you make further progress, here are some other key areas covered in the walkthrough Elden Ring will ask you to cross:

The Peaks of the Giants : a snowy area in the north that comes just before the end of the game. The snow-covered fields set aside are located in this same northern region, beyond the Peaks of the Giants.
the Manoir du Volcan : a hideout for the murderers' faction, equipped with its own boss tanks.
The The Depths of Fonderacine : An underground area packed with boss and loot.
Nokron, the Eternal City : available after defeating Radahn, which has won numerous awards. Nokron the City is home to, among other things, the Dragon Forge and boss related to dragon hearts.
The Ruins of Farum Azula : one of the game's final areas, reserved for well-equipped players. The Ruins of Farum lead to several major boss moments before the climax of the walkthrough.
L'Miquella's Sacred Tree, Elphael : hidden area accessible at the end of the game. The’Miquella's Sacred Tree features some of the most challenging boss levels in the base game.
the DLC Shadow of the Erdtree : a major expansion featuring new areas, boss, and a brand-new walkthrough. The expansion Shadow of the Erdtree is available on PC and Xbox.

If you want to progress further in the game, areas like Necrolimb, Liurnia, and the Lake District await you after you've completed the Weeping Peninsula. This path Liurnia Necropolis, Lake Region is the main part of the walkthrough.

Other catacombs and dungeons to explore

The Catacombs of Val-aux-Tombes are just one dungeon among many in the walkthrough Elden Ring. If you want to explore other similar catacombs in the game, here are some helpful guides:

Guide to the Catacombs of the Valiant Dead : a nearby dungeon with its own walkthrough. The Catacombs of the Valiant Dead are also located in the northern part of the Peninsula.
Guide to the Catacombs of Caelid : a tougher challenge featuring formidable boss tanks.
Guide to the Wyndham Catacombs : same door-lock mechanism.
Catacomb of the Black Knives : There are two boss to face in this dungeon.

And if you don't have a bike yet, be sure to unlock the mount in Elden Ring to move faster between dungeons.