| Cemeteries tips and photos posted by real travelers and Paris locals. • 344 Photos
• 204 Reviews
See all Paris Things To Do |
 | Paris Cemeteries Reviews | 1 - 10 of 204 |  |
 Oscar Wilde's Final
Resting Place by Lady_Mystique
It is located on one of the seven hills of Paris, the Field-the-Bishop, and gets its name from Louis XIV's religious advisor, who previously owned the property.
In 1804, the city decided to turn the land into a cemetary.
Some of the most famous people buried here include authors Marcel Proust and Honore de Balzac, and singers Edith Piaf and JIM MORRISON (whose grave is one of the most visited).
Opening times: Daily 8 am -7 pm.
No admission charge.
A good map of the cemetery is available for a very small fee at the newsagent and flower shop on avenue Pere-Lachaise and at outlets near the main entrance on Bd. de Menilmontant.
NB It's best not to bypass the person selling the maps outside the walls of the cemetary, thinking you could find places on your own...big mistake!
There are signs inside, but you would have to memorize the locations.
And, as popular as Morrison's site is, it is sooooo hard to find.
Interesting bit on Wilde's grave:
"The sculpture on Oscar's headstone was carved by Epstein, an artist from England.
Before its official installation, the custodian of the cemetary, took exception to the uncovered figure and had part of it smothered under a kilo of plaster.
Naturally, the artist and his friends protested so the entire memorial was covered in a heavy tarpaulin until things were sorted out.
Later, after an organized protest, the cover was removed and a bronze plaque was fastened over the offending portion of the statue. But, not long after, a literary gentleman appeared in the Café Anglais wearing the plaque around his neck!
The tarpaulin was replaced, and stayed there until arguments about it were ironed out sometime after the last war." Leave a Comment Address: 16, rue de Repos, ParisPhone: 33-1-55-25-82-10Directions: In the 20th Arrondissement. Nearest metro train: Pere-Lachaise, Philippe Auguste
|
 | |  |
Visiting Paris?
Read reviews about Paris Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
A saying in French goes as follows: "dis moi qui tu hantes, je te dirai qui tu es"
(Tell me whom you spend time with and I will tell you who you are).
It could be applied to the Père Lachaise cemetery under the form of: "Tell me what tomb you visited and I will tell you who you are".
Did you visit the tomb of Jim Morrison or the one of Frédéric Chopin? No need to explain the contrast between the two styles of music. We visited both as our son wanted a photo of Morrison's (rather untidy) tomb (division 6). The Chopin's tomb (division 11) is the most decorated with flowers we saw at Père Lachaise showing that "la beauté est éternelle".
Did you visit the tomb of Oscar Wilde or those of Molière, La Fontaine, Balzac, Proust or with other words are you an Anglophone or a Francophone? Actually we met an Anglophone desperately in search of Balzac (div.48).
The search for the tombs of celebrities becomes a recreational part of the visit to this cemetery. But the layout of the cemetery is erratic, if not chaotic. Every square inch is occupied by some tomb, often in a bad state when not hauling over under the pressure of roots from the trees.
Best is to buy a map at the entrance, the one you can load on the web is not precise enough. Address: Père Lachaise, Bvd de Ménilmontant, Paris 20eDirections: Métro Père Lachaise, ligne 2 & 3
|
| | |
 "Mur des Fédérés" (Tr. Wall
of the Federalists) by tiabunna, 1 more photos
This marked the end of the 1871 uprising, where the last 147 battered Communard (NB not ~ist) fighters held out in the cemetery for some days against the government forces until they fought to a stop on 28 May: then were lined up against the wall, summarily shot, and dumped into a common grave. Yes, those are real bullet holes you see in the photo. We were there the day following the anniversary which still is commemorated, so there were flowers.
My new friend then helped me find Frederick Chopin (second photo) before we parted, each planning to seek places in Paris which the other of us already had visited. Time was running out on my visit, and further searching in the cemetery seemed too time consuming. So Molière, Oscar Wilde, Modigliani, Marshall Ney, former President Faure who expired while indulging in a “Clintonesque” activity in 1899, not to mention Jim Morrison and many others, will have to await further visits. Directions: Take Métro line 3 dir Gallieni, or line 2 dir Nation, to Père-Lachaise. The cemetery is directly across the road.
|
| | |
This cemetery of 44 hectares surprised me by its aspect of an "English garden" with uneven alleys, ways and paths intermingling in an inextricable labyrinth.
Nothing is to be found at the Père Lachaise of the usual geometrical layout of most cemeteries of our regions.
The vegetation, more than 5.000 tall trees of all species, dominates everything, even the highest monuments. The hilliness of the cemetery, the roots of the trees destabilized many monuments which lean towards their neighbours. The Père Lachaise is known as the largest garden of Paris, but it is an almost wild garden. The cobblestones of the alleys do not facilitate walking. Put on good shoes.There are approximately 70.000 monuments of all styles: antique, gothic, haussmannien or simple tomb stones. From these more than 200 belong to celebrities.
The shape of funeral monuments mostly met is that of a “little house” serving for all the family (photo 1) what explains why there are approximately 300.000 bodies buried here.
The accumulation of the tombs is considerable, it is necessary to slip between the tombs to reach those of the second or third lines. Here and there emerge a large monument (photo 2). In the high part (div.87) is the neo Byzantine style crematorium whose black chimneys at the top are impressive (photo 3).
Open: 8 - 18 h (16/03 - 5/11); 8 - 17.30 h (6/11 - 15/03)
Saturday open at 8.30 h, Sunday at 9 h.
===========================
Styles funéraires.
Ce cimetière de 44 hectares m'a surpris par son aspect de jardin à l'anglaise dont les allées, chemins et sentiers accidentés s'entremêlent en un labyrinthe inextricable. On ne retrouve rien au Père Lachaise des plans géométriques des cimetières "habituels" de nos contrées.
La végétation, plus de 5.000 grands arbres de toutes espèces, domine tout, même les monuments les plus élevés. Le terrain en pente, les racines des arbres ont déstabilisé nombre de monuments funéraires qui penchent vers leurs voisins. Il est dit que c'est le plus beau et le plus grand jardin de Paris, mais c'est un jardin presque sauvage.
Les gros pavés des allées ne facilitent pas la promenade. Mettez de bons souliers de marche.
Il y a environ 70.000 monuments funéraires de tout styles: antiques, gothiques, haussmannien ou simples pierres tombales. La forme de monument la plus rencontrée est celle d'une "maisonnette" qui sert pour toute la famille (photo 1) ce qui explique qu'il y a environ 300.000 corps enterrés au Père Lachaise. L'entassement des tombes est considérable, il faut se glisser entre les tombes pour atteindre celles des deuxième ou troisième rangées. Par-ci, par-là émergent de grands monuments (photo 2). Dans la partie haute (div.87) se trouve le crematorium de style néobyzantin dont les cheminées noires au sommet sont impressionnantes (photo 3).
Address: Bvd de Ménilmontant, Paris 20eDirections: Métro Père Lachaise station in front of entry 'Porte des Amandiers". Line 2 & 3
|
| | |
 Saint Denis by Jeca011
In 1793, revolutionnaries attack the symbol of monarchy. The tombs are disurontled, some destroyed. Exhumed bodies are thrown into common graves. The Basilica escapes total destruction. In 1806, Napoleon I ordered the rehabilitation of the edifice. Then Louis XVIII handed back its necropolis function to the Abbey church.
Some of notables buried here:
French Queens - Blanche de Navarre, Anne de Bretagne, Isabell d'Aragon, Jeanne de Bourbon, Louise de Lorraine, Catherine de Medici and Marie Antionette.
French Kings - Pepin "the Short", Philippe VI, Louis XII, Philippe III, Charles V, Henry III, Henry II and Louis XVI. Leave a Comment Address: 2, rue de Strasbourg
|
| | |
Visiting Paris?
Read reviews about Paris Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
Two of the most popular French singers of the second half of the 20th century are buried in this cemetery and continue to receive the visit of their admirers.
The tomb of Edith Piaf can be found at division 97. She had a very beautiful voice full with passion combined with beautiful texts and melodies. It is beside the tomb of Edith Piaf that we saw the only cat of the cemetery. It is true that the cats like harmonious sounds.
The other successful singer/composer is Gilbert Bécaud (div.45) called “Mister 100.000 volts”.
We have on our walk met the tombs of the singer Henri Salvador, the actor and very good singer Yves Montand (div.44) known in the USA for his affair with Marilyn Monroe, and the tomb of the tragic actress Sarah Bernhardt. But the latter was well from before my generation!
=======================
Deux des chanteurs français les populaires de la seconde moitié du 20e siècle sont enterrés au Père Lachaise et reçoivent encore journellement la visite de leurs admirateurs. Il y a celle que je considère comme la meilleur chanteuse francophone Edith Piaf (div.97. Une très belle voix pleine de passion, de très beaux textes et mélodies. C'était le paradis bien avant l'enfer du Rap. C'est à côté de la tombe d' Edith Piaf que nous avons vu le seul chat du cimetière. Il est vrai que les chats aiment les sons harmonieux.
L'autre chanteur/compositeur à succès est Gilbert Bécaud surnommé "Monsieur 100.000 volts". Sa tombe se trouve dans la division 45.
Nous avons au hasard du chemin rencontrés les tombes du chanteur et comique Henri Salvador, l'acteur et très bon chanteur Yves Montand (div.44) connu aux USA pour sa brève liaison avec Marilyn Monroe, et dans la même division la célèbre tragédienne Sarah Bernhardt. Mais cette dernière est d'avant ma génération!
Address: Bvd de Ménilmontant, Paris 20eDirections: Métro Père Lachaise, ligne 2 & 3
|
| | |
The Montparnasse cemetery was created in 1824. It is different from some of the other famous Parisian cemeteries (Pere-Lachaise, Montmartre...) in that it is much more flat and straight (and thus easier to get around). The main entrance is located on boulevard Edgar-Quignet, and plans of the cemetery are available at the guarding post. There are several graves worth seeing in the cemetery, including that of French poet Charles Beaudelaire, who wrote "Les Fleurs du Mal" and who unfortunately got buried with his in-laws whom he detested, Irish playwright Samuel Beckett (Waiting for Godot), French singer Serge Gainsbourg, as well as Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir, whose tomb was covered with metro tickets for a reason which I have yet to figure out. But my favorite one of all was that of French inventor Charles Pigeon, who is represented lying in bed next to his dying wife.
Another interesting little fact about this cemetery is that the street that divides the small from the big cemetery (rue Emile-Richard) is the only street in Paris where no houses have been built and therefore it's the only street that doesn't have one single living resident.
And on a completely different note, if you haven't yet had the chance to try one of those old squat toilets (toilette turque), you can use the restrooms that are located next to the guarding post. One word of advice: watch your feet when you flush!! Leave a Comment Address: 3 boulevard Edgar-QuignetPhone: 01 44 10 86 50Directions: Metro Edgar Quignet, in the Montparnasse area
|
| | |
 Tomb of Oscar Wilde by kenyneo
Celebrities buried here includes
1) Edith Piaf ( famous for the famous La Vie En Rose , famous as the French Sparrow ...)
2) Oscar Wilde ( if you dont know who he is , try reading one of his book before you come to Paris , that way , the experience will be much more special )
3) Victor Noir ( whose statue brings fertility !! so you will notice that the most interesting part ( should I be specific ? ) looks extremely shining after being molested by thousands of curious tourist, horny ladies ( or perhaps guys ) and hopeful women...
4) Jim Morrison
5) Chopin , the great Polish composer
Its a big place , so make sure you get a map before you come in !!!!! Leave a Comment Address: Metro Line 11 , Pere Lachaise Station.
|
 Jim Morrisons final
resting place by easyoar
Jim Morrisons grave is decidely low-key, and seems to always have people around it.
Whilst in the cemetery, check out the grave of Victor Noir, a journalist who was shot by a cousin of Napoleon. If is a life size statue that is believed to have fertility powers - which is evident from the shiny groin which seems to receive a lot of rubbing...
If you visit. the first thing I would recommend you do before going in to this cemetery is to buy a map (which are sold near the entrances). It is a big place and if you are looking for a particular grave, you will stand little chance without one. Leave a Comment Address: Metro Pere Lachaise (16 Rue du Repos)
|
| | |
 Oscar Wilde's tomb at
Pere-Lachaise Cemetery by Jefie,
3 more photos
You should probably allow 2-3 hours to visit the cemetery, depending on how many graves you wish to see. There are a lot of twists and turns and the maps aren't perfect so chances are that even the best navigators will get a bit lost from time to time. Among Pere-Lachaise's most famous residents are French singer Edith Piaf, French writers Moliere, Lafontaine, Arago, Balzac and Marcel Proust, French actors Simone Signoret and Yves Montand, and musical composers Chopin and Rossini.
But perhaps the two most visited tombs are those of American singer Jim Morrison (The Doors), who died in Paris in 1971, and Irish writer and playwright Oscar Wilde (The Picture of Dorian Gray, The Importance of Being Earnest), who died in Paris in 1900. While Morrison's grave is rather simple, Wilde's is ornated with a large modern-like angel that was sculpted by Sir Jacob Epstein. The sculpture originally came complete with male genitals, but these were broken off because they were deemed too obscene. The story goes that the broken piece was used as a doorstop and a paperweight by the cemetery keeper, but it has now been misplaced. Oscar Wilde's tomb is also covered with lipstick marks that countless admirers have left when kissing his tomb.
Pere-Lachaise Cemetery is open daily and admission is free. You can pick up a map at the guarding post, next to the main entrance, where you will also find restrooms. The cemetery is only a little over 200 years old, but many parts have already fallen into disrepair. After a while, the subtle but distinct smell of the cemetery might get to you and it becomes easier to understand why they had to shut down the overcrowded "Cimetiere des Innocents" at the heart of Paris... Leave a Comment Address: 16 rue du ReposPhone: 01 55 25 82 10Directions: Just outside of Le Marais, withing walking distance of La Bastille (metro Pere-Lachaise).
|
| | |
More Paris Tips Overview
| Hotels and Accommodations
Tips: 2,053 - Photos: 1,652 | Things To Do
Tips: 10,145 - Photos: 17,346 | Nightlife
Tips: 873 - Photos: 806 | Transportation
Tips: 1,633 - Photos: 1,378 | Restaurants
Tips: 2,625 - Photos: 2,535 | Shopping
Tips: 827 - Photos: 938 | Off the Beaten Path
Tips: 1,801 - Photos: 2,714 | Tourist Traps
Tips: 502 - Photos: 330 | Warnings or Dangers
Tips: 812 - Photos: 408 | Local Customs
Tips: 833 - Photos: 736 | Packing Lists
Tips: 274 - Photos: 157 | Sports Travel
Tips: 110 - Photos: 130 | General Tips
Tips: 2,457 - Photos: 2,445 | Flights
Tips: 110 - Photos: 0 |
 |
|
- Mercure Paris Ivry Seine 3
5 Allee de la Seine, Paris - Cordelia Hotel Opera Paris
11 Rue de Greffulhe 8th Arr., Paris - Ibis Paris Gonesse
RN 17 La Patte d'Oie de Gonesse, Paris - Les Jardins du Marais
74 rue Amelot (formerly Home Plazza Bastille), Paris - Best Western Anjou Lafayette Opera
4 Rue Riboutte 9th Arr., Paris - Hotel des Batignolles
26-28 rue des Batignolles 17 Arr., Paris - Exclusive Hotel Jardin de Villiers
18, rue Claude Pouillet 17 Arr., Paris - International Hotel Paris
6 rue Auguste-Barbier 11 Arr., Paris - Hotel Saint Paul Le Marais Paris
8, rue Sévigne, Paris - Hotel Pas De Calais
59, Rue des Saint-Peres 6th Arr., Paris - Mercure Paris La Sorbonne
14 rue de la Sorbonne, Paris - Pierre & Vacances Bercy Residence Paris
1-7 Cours du Minervois, Paris - Adagio City Aparthotel Le Parc Paris
1 rue des Lilas d'Espagne, Paris - Chateau Villiers Le Mahieu
, Villiers le Mahieu, Ile-de-France, 78770, France, Paris - Hotel St. Georges Lafayette Paris
11 Rue Victor Masse, Paris
|
