Visit the World’s Most Famous Cemetery, Père Lachaise in Paris

Although it might seem inappropriate to visit a cemetery with other purposes than visiting a loved one, the worldwide know Père Lachaise Cemetery is an exception.

It is in fact the most visited cemetery of the world and belongs to the long list of the best Attractions to do in Paris.

Called just Père Lachaise by the locals, this mystical place spread over 43 hectares is the largest green space of the French capital and contains more than 70 000 burial plots, including many celebrities who inspired the world with their works or inventions.

In this article, we will guide you through all the useful information to know concerning the Père Lachaise Cemetery.

What can I do at Cimetière du Père Lachaise ?

Walking in the largest park and largest cemetery of Paris under more than 5 000 trees is not just a walk but an inward journey. It gives an open-air museum feeling to visitors with charming sculptures on the tombs. There are many different funerary art styles like gothic tombs, ancient mousoleums , Haussmanian style vaults.

Being so close to final resting place of these people who have left so much valuable works to the world in different fields, makes one think of life, death, creation, inspiration. This visit can be a good opportunity to meditate, pray, send intentions, draw something, write a poem or reflect on your life...

If you are "lucky", you might witness one of the 3000 burial operations happening each year in this active cemetery.

Which Famous People are Buried in Père Lachaise Cemetery ?

• The famous writers and poets like Oscar Wilde, Marcel Proust, Moliere, Victor Hugo, Allen Kardec, Apollinaire, La Fontaine, Balzac, Colette
• The preminent academics such as Pierre Bourdieu, Auguste Comte,
• The renowned musicians : Frederic Chopin, Edith Piaf, Jim Morrison, Emmanuel Cabut, Gilbert Becaud
• The master of painting including Camille Pissaro, Jacques-Louis David, Eugène Delacroix and Modigliani,
• The film makers like Claude Chabrol... are among the renowned people resting here.

Check here for the long list of famous burials in Pere Lachaise

The Ancient Greek inscription on the plate at Jim Morrison's tomb "Κατά Τον Δαίμονα Εαυτού" can be translated as "true to his own soul / spirit). This inscription was prepared upon the request of the singer's father who had great intrest in Ancient Greek language and textes. 

Entrance, Tickets and Tours to Père Lachaise Cemetery

How to get to Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris ?

Cimetière du Père Lachaise is located in the 20th arrondissement of Paris.

• Metro : The closest metro station is Philippe Auguste on the line 2. Another option is Gambetta station on the line 3. If you get off at Gembetta station, you'll walk downhill for the entrance which is rather easy.
• Bus : You can take number 26, 60, 61, 69 and 102.

History of the Cimetière du Père Lachaise

The cemetery spreads on the slope of a hill once known as Champ Evêque. There lived a prosperous merchant during the 15th century. The house posessed by the Jesuits and served as their shelter in the 17th century. 

The name of the cemetery was given by Nicolas Frochot, Prefect of the Seine, as "Père La Chaise" who resided at this area. Father La Chaise was a Jesuit royal confessor to the Sun King, Louis XIV.

Napoleon the Great ordered the construction of the cemetery in 1804 and 17 hectares of the hill were purchased by the city of Paris. The urban planner Alexandre-Théodore Brongniart became the winner of the competition by bringing the best plan to solve overcrowding graveyards in the city center.

At first the citizens were unwilling to bury the dead into this cemetery on this silent hill far from eye. It was hard to convince Parisians, especially the upper class to be buried here. They made an excellent PR by raising the price of the plots here so only the wealthy could afford them. The efforts of the governor Nicolas Frochot paid well and the public interest increased with the entombing of noble people in a short time. Napoleon had the remains of Louise de Lorraine, wife of Henri III transferred to the new cemetery. 

Currently there are over 1 million bodies buried in Père Lachaise . Also there are remainings of many people in the columbarium. The crematorium section has its own administration.