Père Lachaise–Paris’Famous Cemetery

Pere La Chaise

On a visit to this incredible place, you must disregard all of the connotations of a graveyard that you may have, as this is a place of serenity and of peace. If you need time for reflection, what better way to do so in a place so beautiful and in the open air? Père Lachaise is one of the most famous cemeteries and tourist attractions in Paris – it is even said to be the most visited cemetery in the world. It’s also a place to pay respects to all the great celebrities of the past buried here, many of whom have had an enormous impact on French history – singer Edith Piaf and artist Eugène Delacroix, for example.

Some may find the idea of visiting a cemetery for leisure a very strange one, which indeed I did at first. That was until recently, when I made my way over to the 20th arrondissement one afternoon, for this very purpose of passing a relaxing afternoon and discovering this spot for myself. There are three entrances into the cemetery, but the one I recommend is located by the Gambetta metro station. From here your visit is mainly downhill and I can tell you, the hills are not too kind on the leg muscles should you choose the main entrance! From here you also have easier access to the great writer, Oscar Wilde’s, grave – one of the most popular reasons that people visit Père Lachaise.

Information:
Address: 16, rue du Repos, 75020 PARIS

Opening hours : Mon – Fri: 8am – 6pm, Sat: 8.30am – 6pm, Sun: 9am – 6pm
Metro : Gambetta (Lines 3, 3bis), Père Lachaise (Lines 2, 3), Philippe Auguste (Line 2)