Père-Lachaise Cemetery
16 rue du Repos, 75020 Paris
Metro: Philippe Auguste (Line 2) or Père Lachaise (Lines 2 and 3)
Website – Tel: 01 55 25 82 10.
Open every day:
From mid-March to October:
Monday to Friday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday: 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
November to mid-March:
Monday to Friday: 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sunday: 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Free admission
Interactive map of the cemetery on MyParisjetaime
Nestling in the 20th arrondissement, Père-Lachaise cemetery is much more than just a place of rest. It is a veritable open-air museum, a green setting steeped in history, art and emotion, where great French and international figures are laid to rest.
A little history
Inaugurated in 1804, the cemetery owes its name to François d’Aix de La Chaise, the confessor of Louis XIV, who once lived on the estate. Initially not very popular, the site’s reputation soared when the authorities had the remains of Molière and La Fontaine transferred there, attracting the Parisian elite. Today, it is the largest intramural cemetery in Paris (43 hectares), with over 70,000 tombs.
An architectural masterpiece
Père-Lachaise is also a marvel of funerary art: Gothic mausoleums, neo-classical chapels, moving statues… Each grave tells a story. Lovers of sculpture will find it a fascinating place to explore.
A peaceful, poetic stroll
With its winding paths, century-old trees and secret nooks and crannies, the cemetery offers a timeless interlude. It is particularly popular with walkers, artists and history buffs.
A pantheon of celebrities
Strolling through its shady alleys is like leafing through a history book. Among the celebrities buried here are Chopin, composer of genius, Marcel Proust, author of ‘À la recherche du temps perdu’, Colette, novelist and journalist, and :
Jim Morrison, legendary singer of The Doors
Oscar Wilde, Irish writer
And many other figures from the worlds of art, politics, theatre and philosophy…
