Cimetiere du Pere-Lachaise, Paris
Cimetiere du Pere-Lachaise
Address: 16 rue de Repos
Arrondissement: 20th
Hours: March through November 8:00am – 6:00pm; November through March 8:00am -5:30pm
Tickets: Free
WWW: Pere-Lachaise or for panoramic views go here.
About the Cimetiere du Pere-Lachaise
Cimetiere du Pere-Lachaise is one of the most legendary cemeteries in the world. It is an extremely popular tourist attraction and draws in one some of the largest crowds of any cemetery.
In France a temporary ban was placed on cemeteries, deeming them a health hazard. Once Napoleon Bonaparte lifted the ban in 1804, construction on the 109 acres began. Named after Pere Francois de La Chaise, Louis XIV spiritual advisor, the cemetery was seen as too far outside of the city and was considered inconvenient… at first. Olden marketing tactics were used and the bodies of writers Moliere and La Fontaine were moved here to attract plot buyers attention. Afterwards, popularity and population quickly increased because even then it was attractive to be buried amongst the rich and famous.
The cemetery also features beautifully built sculptures and structures throughout. Wealthy families often tried to out do the plots around them by having exquisite monuments erected for their dead. This competition resulted in some of the most spectacular gravesites on the planet.
Although not all of the deceased are French, the roll call is quite impressive at that. Great writers such as Honore de Balzac, Victor Noir and Oscar Wilde reside are buried here. World renown musicians from the likes of Bizet and Chopin all the way to rock star Jim Morrison rest their bones in this cemetery. Perfomrance artists such as opera singer Maria Callas and dancer Isadora Duncan can also be found among the gravesites along with artists such as Pissaro, Max Ernst, Delacroix and Cartellier and cinema stars like Sarah Bernhardt, Yves Montand and Simone Signoret.
The Cimetière du Père-Lachaise is as eerie as it is enchanting. It is advised that visitors get a map if there are specific headstones that you would like to see.
Getting to Cimetiere du Pere-Lachaise
Visitors can find the cemetery by way of metro lines 2 and 3, Pere Lachaise station.
Cimetiere du Pere-Lachaise Hotels
Here is a short guide to hotels near Cimetiere du Pere-Lachaise
Located at 132 Boulevard Voltaire, the 2 star Residence Voltaire offers a great price for travelers on a budget. It is near attractions such as the Pere Lachaise cemetery and the authentic Parisian atmospheres of the Bastille and Nation district. Rates start at a low 32EUR per night for a standard room.
The 4 star, Les Jardins Du Marais, is located near the cemetery. Completely renovated, the property consists of 9 buildings which date back to the 18th and 19th centuries. One of the buildings houses the authentic workshop of Gustave Eiffel and is deemed a historical structure. All of the 265 rooms have beautiful views of Paris or the private gardens. Rates start at 94EUR for a single room.
The 3 star property Classics Hotel Bastille is located at 131 rue de Charonne. The hotel sits smack dab in the middle of Place de la Bastille and the Pere Lachaise cemetery, which makes for an ideal sight seeing location. Each room is modern yet relaxing with soft lighting and current amenities. Rates start at 121EUR per night for a superior room.
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia.org
