The largest andmost famous cemeteryin the French capital is Père Lachaise, located in the eastern part of the city (20th arrondissement). Due to the large number of trees and other plants, this place is sometimes called “the largest green oasis of Paris”, and thanks to the huge number of sculptures made in different styles, the cemetery has the title of “open-air museum”. However, Père-Lachaise is most often compared to the city of the dead. Streets, alleys and neighborhoods are laid out across its vast 44-hectare territory. And numerous crypts and family tombs often very much resemble residential houses…
From the monastery park to the cemetery
The place where the cemetery now stands was notorious in the Middle Ages: criminals and robbers settled here, outside the city limits. This, however, did not prevent a merchant from building his estate here, which by will became the property of the monastery. After one of the abbots of the monastery, Father François de la Chaise, who was a confessor and friend of King Louis XIV, the site received its modern name Père (Father) Lachaise. The monks created a beautiful park, planting rare species of plants and decorating the area with artificial waterfalls and grottoes. Thanks to their efforts, the garden became popular with aristocrats, who loved to stroll along the lovely alleys, making appointments and dates here.
During the French Revolution, the park was abandoned and quickly fell into disrepair. This was taken advantage of by the city authorities, who were looking for plots to build new cemeteries in the capital. In 1804, the municipality bought Père-Lachaise from private owners and began to use the site for burials. Initially, this idea almost ended in failure: the new cemetery was far beyond the then boundaries of the French capital, and Parisians were in no hurry to bury their loved ones here. To raise the prestige of Père-Lachaise, an advertising campaign was conducted. As part of it, the graves of such celebrities as the comedian Moliere and the fable writer La Fontaine were moved to the necropolis. The transfer of the ashes of the legendary medieval lovers Eloise and Abelard, whose grave became one of the most romantic corners of Paris, caused a great resonance. After this, the popularity of Père-Lachaise began to grow rapidly; the cemetery soon became the most prestigious necropolis in the French capital.
The famous tombstones of Père-Lachaise
Hundreds of celebrities are buried in the cemetery – politicians, writers, scientists, musicians, artists, among whom there are not only French, but also residents of other countries.
Nineteenth century
Not far from the main entrance to Père-Lachaise stands one of the most romantic monuments – the tombstone of Polish composer Frederic Chopin, which is crowned by a snow-white sculpture of a sadly bowed musician. This tomb is always covered in flowers and is especially popular with Poles, who often leave flags and other symbols of their country here.
The tombstone of French artist Theodore Géricault, whose pedestal bears a relief copy of the painter’s most significant work, “The Raft of Medusa”, also attracts attention. Honoré de Balzac’s tomb, decorated with his bust, as well as a book and a quill, is located on the plot where the writer liked to walk during his lifetime. Under the same gravestone rests the ashes of Countess Evelina Ganska, who corresponded with the writer for many years and became his wife shortly before Balzac’s death.
The tomb of Oscar Wilde, on which a winged sphinx is carved, attracts a lot of attention from visitors. It is believed that here you can make wishes, and to make them come true you need to kiss the monument, which is covered with lipstick stains because of this tradition. This tombstone is also popular with advertisers and copywriters, who ask the famous Irish master of PR for success in their chosen activity.
Twentieth century
The necropolis also features many graves of celebrities of the past century. Among them are the simple and refined tombstone of the great French actress Sarah Bernhardt, made from her sketch; a monument to the writer Marcel Proust; and the double tomb of the painter Amadeo Modigliani and his lover Jeanne Ébuterne.
Many people come to honor the memory of the “Parisian sparrow” – the singer Edith Piaf, in whose modest tomb is buried her only daughter Marcelle, who died in infancy. The inscription on the tombstone reads “God unites all who love”.
One of the most visited tombs is the rather modest grave of Jim Morrison, the founder and leader of the rock band Doors, who died in a Paris hotel. His fans constantly organize noisy gatherings here, which are fought in vain by the cemetery administration.
The cult magila is the tomb of the famous occultist Allan Kardak, made in the form of a Celtic shrine. This is where followers of esoteric teachings come to charge various objects from the bust of their idol or the stones attached to it.
Columbarium
In the center of the cemetery is an impressive columbarium building, opened in 1887. Its halls contain the ashes of the dancer Isadora Duncan and her children, and the remains of the anarchist Nestor Makhno. Here you can also see the cenotaph (tombstone without burial) of the famous Greek singer Maria Callas, whose ashes were given to her relatives.
Practical information
- The cemetery operates without weekends. It opens at 8:00 a.m. on weekdays, 8:30 a.m. on Saturdays and 9:00 a.m. on Sundays. Closing time from early March through the first week of November is 6:00 p.m.; the rest of the time, 5:30 p.m.
- There are several entrances to Pere-Lachaise. The main gate of the cemetery is located near the Philippe Auguste metro station, while the secondary gates are located near Pere-Lachaise and Gambetta stations
- Visiting the cemetery is free of charge. For the convenience of visiting, it is better to use the plan, which can be printed out online or purchased at one of the kiosks located at the entrance
Interesting facts
- The official name of Père-Lachaise is Cemetière de l’Est (East Cemetery).
- Père-Lachaise is an active cemetery where residents of the French capital or persons who died in Paris can be buried.
- The necropolis contains about one million graves (not counting the columbarium) and is visited by approximately 3.5 million people each year.
- There are many trees in the cemetery, the oldest of which is a maple tree planted in 1832. It is home to many birds (over 40 species), squirrels, martens, and a large colony of cats.
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