Welcome To Paris’ Most Famous Cemetery…
I’ve been to Paris at least a dozen times – yet this was the first time I’d ever set foot inside the iconic Père Lachaise Cemetery, which is the largest cemetery in Paris. With more than 3.5 million visitors annually, it is also the most visited necropolis in the world.
In 2019, before the world shut down, I got the chance to explore – and yes, get lost – inside the most star-studded cemetery in the world.
I was surprised with how packed it was, yet how well laid out as well – and any smart person would buy a map to find all of the famous graves there….of course, I didn’t…
Still, the Cemetery is beautifully laid out, with nice cobblestone roads and well-maintained paths along the grave sites:
Here’s a bit of history before we go exploring:
The cemetery of Père Lachaise opened in 1804, and takes its name from the confessor to Louis XIV, Père François de la Chaise (1624–1709), who lived in the Jesuit house rebuilt during 1682 on the site of the chapel.
Callas, Colette and Chopin Too…
As I said, this cemetery is filled with famous people….Singer Marias Callas is buried here, as is the iconic French Author Colette as well as Polish Composer/Pianist Chopin:
I found the grave for French Novelist Marcel Proust – as well as fellow Author Honore de Balzac:
I also shot a short video of the cemetary as I walked among the tombstones and shrines, with one specific grave site in mind:
Edith Piaf was a French national treasure, and I wanted to pay my respects before heading for perhaps the most famous gravesite here – that of The Doors Lead Singer and Songwriter, Jim Morrison…here is what it’s like to approach it…
As you saw from my video, the location is very nondescript – no special signs of any kind, and the site itself is modest, with the exception of the material left by fans:
People were quiet and respectful here – just as they were in all parts of the cemetery.
Père Lachaise is still an operating cemetery and accepting new burials – as you can see, Composer Michel Legrand was just buried here a few years ago:
The grave sites at Père Lachaise range from simple headstones to oversized monuments. Remember I shared this one with you:
It’s the “fertility” gravesite in the cemetery, and I you click on my story you will find out why!
Wikipedia notes that many of the tombs are the size and shape of a telephone booth, with just enough space for a mourner to step inside, kneel to say a prayer, and leave some flowers.
The cemetery combines the remains of multiple family members in the same grave site. At Père Lachaise, they often reopen a grave after a body has decomposed and inter another coffin – of course, when it’s the same family.
According to wikipedia, one million people have been buried at the cemetery. Along with the stored remains in the Aux Morts ossuary aded in, the number of human remains exceeds 2–3 million!
I had a fascinating visit to this incredible cemetery – and I recently shared another great Paris site I had never visited before:
Vincennes Castle was awe-inspiring – if you want to see more pictures and some videos as well, click here:
If you have any plans to visit Paris, here’s the best tip I can offer:
Eat At The Eiffel Tower!
That’s us with the iconic Eiffel Tower behind us – and you see that glassed in area on the lower right? It’s a restaurant!
Not only is the food delicious, but there’s a secret way to get to it that saves you a ton of time in line!
Click here for the details:
Let me know if you’ve visited Pere Lachaise…
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Categories: Art, Exotic Travel, Memoirs, Paris, Pop Culture, Real Estate, Talent/Celebrities, Travel, Travel Adventures, Travel Memoir, Uncategorized
Very interesting post, John. This cemetery reminds me of the Lafayette Cemetery we visited in New Orleans back in 2017. I found Phil Lynott’s grave in Dublin, which is even more nondescript than Jim Morrison’s, as is John Bonham’s grave in a churchyard in Rushock.
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Thanks for sharing that!
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You’re welcome.
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Hi John, a very interesting cemetery to visit. I could spend hours there.
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Robbie, it’s so full of history – they give you a map so you can find them all! Thanks for the comment!
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A map would be vital. What a great experience.
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A great virtual tour.
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Wow, what an experience.
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what a cool cemetery, filled with so much talent that once was. it must be amazing to walk through
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It’s so massive they offer a map!
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I find this type of old cemetery interesting. Our claim to fame in Renton, is having the gravesite/memorial of Jimi Hendrix.
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Morrison was a talented young man indeed, but there are many non-addicts that deserve this sort of attention.
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I am fine with your comment but perhaps if you had read the article you would have seen that he is one of many that I reference in the story – and pint out that he is known to be a magnet for people going there…
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I know, but I don’t see the others with as many flowers and memorabilia.
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Good to see this again. That cemetery is star-studded indeed!
Best wishes, Pete.
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Thanks John.
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You saw these Old CEMENTARY’s in Paris . Those images are amazing. Anita
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It is truly a walk thru history…thank you so much for the comment I love your travels!
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