With over three million annual visitors the Pere Lachaise cemetery in Paris is by far the world’s most visited. For me, it is one of the most fascinating things about a city that is renown for fascination. At over 110 acres the park is vast and is much like a city within Paris. There are wide boulevards and alleyways, and everywhere you turn there is something mesmerizing.
Many famous people are buried here, the most popular gravesites are that of Oscar Wilde and Jim Morrison. The cemetery has a large share of writers, musicians, and artists such as Edith Piaf, Moliere, Chopin, Maria Callas, Marcel Proust, Sarah Bernhardt, Isadora Duncan, among many others. One thing that is odd about Pere Lachaise is that the plots are leased. If the lease is not renewed by family or friends, the remains are removed to an ossuary or cremation.
Many of the graves contain statuary art, so much so that the grounds are a walking art museum.
The two most visited residents of Pere Lachaise are Oscar Wilde and Jim Morrison. Here’s a Pro-Tip when you visit. The Phillipe Auguste Metro station is by the main entrance, but if you exit at the Gambetta Station on line 3, you will come in very near Wilde’s grave and will have a downhill walk.
Pere Lachaise is much more than the graveyard of the rich and famous. It is a work of art, a poignant reminder of the brevity of our existence and a beautiful way of honoring the many talented artists who have the grieving an eternal treasure to remember those they have lost.
Cemeteries are usually peaceful places. There were cherry blossom petals flying in the spring breeze when we buried my grandmother years ago and it comforted me to have her laid to rest amidst such beauty. But then I guess these places are more for the living than the dead.
I think we do have to pay a maintenance fee for the landscaping, but if we defaulted, they wouldn’t dig her up. The plot is bought and paid for…how strange that this place does that.
Interesting post! And that one sculpture with the corpse climbing out of the headstone is creepy…perfect for Halloween
Thanks. I am glad you were able to lay your grandmother to rest in such a peaceful place. It does help I think to have somewhere peaceful to go.
One of the highlights of my first trips to Paris. Beautiful place. Thx for covering.
Thanks Jerry
Very good that You knew this cemetery. We have been there thrice and visited the tomb of Jim Morrison, of course.
such an amazing place.
Such pretty photos.. I was in Gambetta last autumn but I didn’t have time to visit.. perhaps next time…
Oh no! you were so close. Hopefully you can see it on a return visit. It’s definitely worth it.
You have at least one photo here that is not in Pere Lachaise, but in Montparnasse across town. The couple in Bed (Pigeon Family)
The little girl seated may also be from there, not sure on that.
Thank you, I got my pics scrambled. I have since edited the post