Cimetière du Père Lachaise - The World's Most Famous Cemetery
- Mika Vepsalainen
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
Join us and step into history and mystery at Père Lachaise, the most visited cemetery in the world with over 3.5 million visitors annually. A must-see in Paris, this legendary necropolis is not just a resting place but a cultural icon where the past comes alive.
Opened in 1804 and named after Père François de la Chaise, confessor to King Louis XIV, the cemetery began modestly with only 13 graves. Thanks to Napoleon’s progressive decree that all citizens, regardless of race or religion, deserve a dignified burial, Père Lachaise quickly grew into a symbol of inclusivity and reverence.
In 1817, a bold move brought fame to the site: the celebrated remains of Jean de la Fontaine and Molière were transferred here to elevate its prestige. It worked and today, Père Lachaise is the eternal home of some of the world’s most iconic figures in art, music, literature, and history, including Honoré de Balzac, Sarah Bernhardt, Maria Callas, Frédéric Chopin, Colette, Jim Morrison, Amadeo Modigliani, Édith Piaf, Gertrude Stein, Alice B. Toklas, Oscar Wilde ... and many more.
Each tomb tells a story — some romantic, some tragic, all unforgettable. Notably, you'll find monuments to a same-sex Napoleonic couple buried side by side, as well as LGBTQ+ icons like Isadora Duncan and Robbie Ross, Oscar Wilde’s devoted friend.
For Finnish visitors, don’t miss the grave of renowned composer Kaija Saariaho, a modern musical genius laid to rest here in 2023.
Spanning five major expansions and now home to over 1 million souls, Père Lachaise remains an active cemetery with strict criteria for new burials: the deceased must have lived or died in Paris.
You may recognize Père Lachaise from films like The Doors (1991), or literary classics such as Les Misérables and The Count of Monte Cristo. Today, a true testament to its lasting allure, it even appears in video games and popular TV shows.
Located in Paris’s 20th arrondissement, Père Lachaise is easily accessible via public transport: Métro line 2: Philippe Auguste station (main entrance) and lines 2 & 3: Père Lachaise station (500m to a side entrance).
While parts of the cemetery are accessible to visitors with reduced mobility, be mindful of cobblestone paths and uneven terrain. There are three wheelchair-accessible toilets at the main, east, and Gambetta entrances.
There is no café or gift shop on site. After your visit, hop back to the city centre for a café crème or a glass of wine and explore the many bookstores offering fascinating reads about Père Lachaise.
Cimetiere Pere Lachaise
75020 Paris, France
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