Père Lachaise Cemetery, Public cemetery in 20th arrondissement, France
Description
Père Lachaise is a public cemetery in the 20th arrondissement of Paris that stretches across roughly 44 hectares and was designed as a garden park. Winding paths run through the grounds among old trees, small chapels, and numerous tombs from different periods and styles.
History
Napoleon founded the cemetery in 1804 and commissioned architect Alexandre-Théodore Brongniart to design it as the first burial ground of this type in Paris. Initially, few Parisians wished to be buried here, but from 1817 onward the remains of famous figures were transferred here, which raised its appeal.
Culture
Many people come here to pause at the graves of writers and musicians, often leaving flowers or personal tokens. The resting place of Jim Morrison draws younger visitors who light candles and leave messages on nearby stones.
Practical
You enter the grounds through several gates, with the main access on Boulevard de Ménilmontant offering maps showing important graves. The paths can be uneven and slope upward in places, so sturdy footwear helps for longer visits.
Did you know?
The wall where 147 members of the Paris Commune were shot in May 1871 now serves as a memorial for left movements. Less known is that about a dozen feral cats live on the grounds and are cared for by volunteers.
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Oscar Wilde's tomb
287 m
Grave of Victor Noir
182 m
Communards' Wall
462 m
Frédéric Chopin's tomb
148 m
Crématorium-columbarium du Père-Lachaise
195 m
Théâtre national de la Colline
436 m
Héloïse and Abélard's tomb
270 m
Grave of Jim Morrison
207 m
Grave of Thiers
88 m
Main gate of the Pere Lachaise
375 m
Tombe du Dragon
252 m
Chapel of the Père-Lachaise Cemetery
96 m
Monument to the victims of the Bazar de la Charité
198 m
Monument to the Dead of Père Lachaise
164 m
MK2 Gambetta
552 m
Mémorial des victimes de la catastrophe aérienne du Vol Flash Airlines 604
365 m
Molière's tomb
94 m
AF 447 memorial
278 m
Jardin naturel
445 m
Square Samuel-de-Champlain
329 m
June Rebellion memorial
228 m
Monument aux disparus des Abdellys
311 m
Monument aux morts parisiens de la Première guerre mondiale
442 m
Memorial to the Soldiers and Sailors who died during the Siege of Paris 1870-71
353 m
Memorial for the victims of the fire at the Opéra-Comique
378 m
Monument aux victimes de l'OAS
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Rwandan Genocide memorial
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Monument aux morts pour la France en Afrique du Nord de 1952 à 1962
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