Père-Lachaise Cemetery

Map & Directions
Photos & Video

The Père-Lachaise Cemetery is one of the most renowned cemeteries in the world

Tree lined walkway through the Père-Lachaise Cemetery cc licensed photo by extranoise

The Pere-Lachaise Cemetery is the largest cemetery in Paris. This does not include the suburbs though, just the main city. It is also known as the East Cemetery or cimitiere de l'Est. It is said to be the most frequently visited cemetery in the world and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year as they come to view the final resting place of those who have impacted France over the years in ways great and small.

The cemetery is on the property of Pere Francois de la Chaise, the confessor to king Louis XIV. The property was bought in 1804 by the city and laid out by Alexandre-Theodore Brogniart under the orders of Napoleon. The first person to be buried here was a five year old girl, Adelaide Pailliard de Villeneuve.

The cemetery was not very popular as it was not on consecrated ground and was situated far from the original city of Paris. This was remedied by the transfer of the remains of La Fontaine, Moliere, Pierre Abelard and Heloise. This caused a sudden rise in popularity as people wished to have their remains rest in the vicinity of these much loved and respected personalities. The population of the cemetery has risen from 13 in the first year to over a million, not counting those who were cremated and their remains held in the crematorium.

The cemetery is still in operation today however you have to meet a number of criteria if you wish to be buried there. You have to pass away in the capital city and you have to be at the top of the waiting list as there are not many plots still available in Pere-Lachaise Cemetery. In many instances the remains of family members are interred in the same grave or tomb to save space.

There is no admission fee for those who wish to come to pay their respects. Many people like to enter via Oscar Wilde's tomb and then visit the rest of the cemetery from there. You will also be able to see the final resting place of Chopin, Rossini, Proust, Colette and Jim Morrison.

Facts For Your Visit

Fee: No

Currently Closed

Hours This Week:

Monday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Address: 16 Rue du Repos, 75020 Paris, France

Phone: 01 55 25 82 10

Official Website: Père-Lachaise Cemetery

Directions

Metro / RER Line	Nearest Station	Walking Time
M2 or M3	Père Lachaise‎	0 minutes

How to get to Père-Lachaise Cemetery by Metro / RER

By Metro: Take Metro Line 2 or 3 to Père Lachaise‎ Station; take the Menilmontant exit and look for the entrance through the stone wall directly across the street. (0 minutes).

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Reviews

Rated 4.5 out of 5 Père Lachaise Cemetery Star Rating

Very, very beautiful and calm place. I came to see Chopin grave but there's so much more!

Malgorzata - 1 month ago

We were staying nearby so thought we'd visit the cemetery for a walk on our last day in Paris - it's not a typical tourist site but makes for an interesting trip. We bought a map at the entrance for 2.50 euro and only covered the north west quadrant in the time we were there. It is large and you could spend all day there if you're really keen. It was interesting to see the grave sites of some famous historical figures and also just to wander around and look at the variety of stones and adornments.

Clare Milford - 2 months ago

My wife and I love touring cemeteries wherever we travel and I think this has to be our favorite cemetery. This was our second trip to the cemetery and we listened to the Rick Steves walking tour of the cemetery. That proved to be very helpful in finding all of the famous grave sites we wanted to see.

Robert Ryan - 2 months ago

The world’s most visited cemetery was founded in 1804, and initially attracted few funerals because of its distance from the city centre. The authorities responded by exhuming famous remains and resettling them here. Their marketing ploy worked and Cimetière du Père Lachaise has been Paris’ most fashionable final address ever since.

Mahter Bilişim - 2 months ago

I never thought visiting the cemetery could such be a wonderful experience of my life. It was nice and beautiful to see the century old history at one place. It was very peaceful, the air was fresh and looking the tombstones, it's dates was really fascinating... Highly recommended!!

vanita tripathi - 4 months ago

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Video

Video about the history and some interesting facts about the Pere-Lachaise Cemetery

Photo Gallery

Grand monumental markers at Pere-Lachaise Cemetery in Paris cc licensed ( BY ND ) flickr photo by NatalieMaynor
FRANCE cc licensed photo by WeVe1
DSC_8922 cc licensed photo by HockeyholicAZ
Paris SEPT2011 Pere Lachaise Cemetary Oscar Wilde detail 1 cc licensed photo by Mark B. Schlemmer
Paris SEPT2011 Pere Lachaise Cemetary Oscar Wilde detail 2 lipstick cc licensed photo by Mark B. Schlemmer
Paris SEPT2011 Pere Lachaise Cemetery gate door cc licensed photo by Mark B. Schlemmer
Tree art by Jim Morrisons grave cc licensed photo by Andy Hay
Graffiti and Jim Morrison's grave at Père Lachaise Cemetery cc licensed photo by sarahstierch
Tree art by Jim Morrisons grave cc licensed photo by Andy Hay
Paris PERE LACHAISE cc licensed photo by Nine LaMaitre
Oscar Wilde at Pere Lachaise cc licensed photo by Andy Hay