We understand that while on vacation, the idea of going to a cemetery is not the most appealing of ideas. That is until you have seen this one! Père Lachaise cemetery is unlike any other cemetery you will ever see.  Gone is the idea of the dark cemeteries, gone is the depressing feel, and gone is the feeling of sadness. This cemetery is probably the most beautiful and relaxing place that you may even end up remembering as a park, rather than a cemetery.

Now we aren’t saying that there are no tombs. On the contrary, there are tombs everywhere, but some are almost historical. Under the shade of a beautiful maple tree, you can go for a stroll down the little alleyways where the dates on the tombs are so old they may even be illegible.

As you walk by the gravestones of such famous people as Jim Morrison, Frederic Chopin, and the French legendary singer Edith Piaf, you could get the feeling of being in a park that happens to house many famous people of long ago.

Take Metro 2 to PHLIPPE AUGUSTE. Once out of the metro station, you will be on the corner of two large boulevards. Walk up Boulevard Menilmontant and the entrance will be on your right hand side.

As you walk through the entrance, to your left will be a “Welcome Center” where they give free maps of the cemetery where you can see the location of where each famous person is buried.

Be aware though that the map of the cemetery is not to scale so if you do go out looking for a specific grave, don’t hesitate to ask people around you.


If you are looking for Jim Morrison’s grave, just stick you’re nose in the air and head toward that distinctive smell of “peace and love”.