Père-Lachaise Cemetery: A haven of remembrance and beauty in Paris

Nestled in the 20th arrondissement of Paris, the Père-Lachaise Cemetery is much more than just a final resting place.

With its 44 hectares of woodland, cobbled paths and thousands of tombs in a variety of styles, it has become one of the most visited sites in the capital.

Photo credit : Amandine Goetz

Inaugurated in 1804, the cemetery takes its name from Father François de La Chaise, confessor to King Louis XIV. Today, it has more than 70,000 plots and is the final resting place of many French and international personalities, including Molière, Balzac, Édith Piaf, Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, Simone Signoret and Yves Montand.

Photo credit : Amandine Goetz

A place for both strolls and contemplation, Père-Lachaise fascinates visitors with its unique atmosphere, combining funerary art, history and nature. It is a veritable open-air museum, where sculptures, Gothic chapels, imposing mausoleums and discreet tombs stand side by side.

Photo credit : Amandine Goetz

Visiting Père-Lachaise is like exploring a piece of French and world cultural history in a peaceful and emotionally charged setting.

 

Père-Lachaise Cemetery
16, rue du Repos, Paris 20th arrondissement
Free admission
Open 7 days a week / Monday to Friday 8am-8pm - Saturday 8.30am-6pm - Sunday 9am-6pm

Featured image: Amandine Goetz