Père-Lachaise Cemetery
The Père-Lachaise Cemetery is one of the most renowned cemeteries in the world
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: NoPère-Lachaise Cemetery Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays
- Monday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 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: 75020 Paris, France
Phone: 01 55 25 82 10
Official Website: Père-Lachaise Cemetery
Père-Lachaise Cemetery Reviews
Rated out of 5
I love exploring old graveyards & Père-Lachaise Cemetery is peaceful, full of history & one of the most beautiful graveyards I’ve seen. The graveyard was clearly busy with lots of people also checking it out but it was quiet & peaceful. Walk among the trees & witness beautiful old tombs. So many fine details to see. Each tomb was like a work of art. Many famous people such as Marcel Proust, Oscar Wilde & Jim Morrison are resting here. It’s a maze to find everything so plan ahead, take your time, & be respectful to all the graves you visit.
Heather Boswick - a month ago
A peaceful yet powerful place in the heart of Paris 🕊️. Walking through this historic cemetery feels like stepping into a world frozen in time ⏳. It’s the final resting place of icons like Frédéric Chopin 🇵🇱 and Jim Morrison 🎤, whose graves draw visitors from around the world.
The cemetery is massive and hilly, so wear comfy shoes and get ready for a bit of a climb! 🥾⛰️ The cobbled paths shaded by tall trees create a serene and contemplative vibe, perfect for slow wandering under the Parisian sky ☀️🌳.
Patrycja Julia - 2 months ago
Père-Lachaise Cemetery is peaceful and full of history. Walking through its paths feels like exploring a quiet, open-air museum with beautiful old tombs and famous names such as Marcel Proust and Oscar Wilde.
Oldouz Shirinzadeh - 2 months ago
Really amazing cemetery. Best I’ve ever seen. Totally varied crypts and tombs and very maze like so you can always explore in a new direction. Fun to explore when you’ve done everything else in Paris. Look carefully from the top and you can even get a glimpse of the Eiffel Tower.
Jeff Hawthorne - 4 months ago
Old cemetery in the heart of Paris that is the final resting place of some interesting historical figures. Tombs and crypts that vary in age from really, really old to just buried. Very large with some rocky and hard to access areas. Seating areas throughout.
The K Green Show - a month ago
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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Photo Gallery
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Grand monumental markers at Pere-Lachaise Cemetery in Paris cc licensed ( BY ND ) flickr photo by NatalieMaynor -
Photo Credit: dbaron - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Jannis_V - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: string_bass_dave - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: claudia.schillinger - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Jeanne Menjoulet - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Dmitry Djouce - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Dmitry Djouce - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Dmitry Djouce - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Jeanne Menjoulet - cc license via Flickr
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