The first image that flashes through your mind when someone says ‘Paris’ might very well be the Eiffel Tower, the Seine River, or the charming Montmartre neighborhood. But there’s more to Paris than just the attractions visible on the surface: cities have their secrets, and some of the most interesting stories Paris has to offer are buried in her stunning cemeteries.
I was able to visit Paris recently and decided to broaden my horizons and delve into these interesting cemeteries, most especially the famous French cemetery in Paris.
As I walked aimlessly around these peaceful places, I was overwhelmed by the history, the art and beauty that was present. It was like entering a different universe where each element had a tale waiting to be told or discovered.
So, let us get straight into it as I take you through my journey in seeking out the different cemeteries present in Paris, focusing on my preferred sites, astonishing stories, and offering a few tips as well.
Best Cemeteries to Visit in Paris
- Père Lachaise Cemetery
- Montmartre Cemetery
- Montparnasse Cemetery
- Cimetière de Passy
- Cimetière des Innocents
About the Parisian Cemeteries
Visiting the cemeteries in Paris can be more than just a notch on your travel bucket list; it can be an experience that can bring peace. Each cemetery has its own distinctive personality and deep-seated history that makes them worthwhile during your trip. For people who don’t think highly of graveyards, going there can feel like strolling through a beautiful sculpture garden with captivating landscapes.
1. Père Lachaise Cemetery
Location: 16 Rue du Repos, 75020 Paris
Description: Père Lachaise, which is situated in Paris, is best known for its prominent figures such as Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde and Édith Piaf among other famous personalities. The site spans across an area of 44 hectares and has meandering pathways, dense trees and beautiful mausoleums.
My Experience: The entire ambiance of the cemetery was pristine, and it felt almost like a movie while I walked about the area. The intricate designs of the tombs made the setting even better. Seeing fans surround Jim Morrison’s grave leaving flowers and notes felt surreal.
2. Montmartre Cemetery
Location: 20 Avenue Rachel, 75018 Paris
Description: This cemetery is located in Montmartre, which is an artistic area, and has a smaller number of people than Père Lachaise which means it is a tad more personal. It is where famed artists and writers such as Alexandre Dumas and Edgar Degas found eternal rest.
My Experience: The Montmartre Cemetery was beautiful as well as alluring which to me was surreal. Sparkling tombstones along with calm and deserted paths seemed like a hidden gem in the heart of the city. I couldn’t stop thinking about the artists who used to live on those very streets.
3. Montparnasse Cemetery
Location: Boulevard Edgar Quinet, 75014 Paris
Description: This is the final resting place of famous 20th-century figures such as philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre and modern feminist writer Simone de Beauvoir. Interesting designs are clear in the construction of the cemetery that combines contemporary and traditional styles.
My Experience: It was quite astonishing how artistic the grave markers were throughout Montparnasse. So many times I was able to wander in circles, exploring the stories each tomb told across hours, einfach memories which created a feeling deep inside me as one part of the intellectual history of Paris.
4. Cimetière de Passy
Location: 2 Rue du Colonel Combes, 75016 Paris
Description: Such places not only offer web-aided knowledge but reality-focused pictures in the head of a person since its view is undisputedly breathtaking especially when coupled with hearing silence. Here also rest many eminent people like the composer Gabriel Fauré and the painter Paul Signac.
My Experience: Oh, how pleasantly naive and beautiful fisherman painters would feel if Passy Cemetery could tell them of her calmness that tower of Eiffel blooms from through the trees, a simple spot to warm before diving deep into the chaos of Paris.
5. Cimetière des Innocents
Location: 20 Rue du Jour, 75001 Paris
Description: Cimetière des Innocents which was known as one of the biggest cemeteries in Paris has lost its charm to serve as a gravesite as now it turns out to be a historical site. It was closed in the 18th century over health threats but it indeed has a rich and robust history in France.
My Experience: Exploring Cimetière des Innocents was quite interesting for me even though it is no longer an active burial site. The remnants of the graves and the park that surrounded them were an indispensable part of the history of the city.
My Overall Reflections
Their great experience of sightseeing was able to connect with my inner being as I strolled around these cemeteries in Paris. With each grave, I turned out to embellish a story and invariably constructed a narrative pertaining to the graves of people buried there in my mind.
The ambiance was indeed calm though interrupted now and then by leaves rustling or laughter coming from the neighboring cafes.
I vividly recall hovering before the tomb of the writer Oscar Wilde at the Père Lachaise, where followers had kissed the tomb and left lipstick on it. It was nice seeing how people still cared about his legacy today.
Both residents and tourists embraced the silence while engaging in conversations about their favorite tombs that they had visited, enabling them to feel a sense of quietude and closeness.
My Recommendations
Here’s a list of accommodations near these beautiful cemeteries to make your visit comfortable and convenient:
| Hotel Name | Location | Type | Price Range (per night) | Standout Features |
| Hôtel Le 20 Prieuré | Near Père Lachaise | Budget | €100 – €150 | Charming decor and close to the cemetery |
| Hôtel Montmartre Mon Amour | Montmartre | Mid-range | €150 – €250 | Romantic atmosphere with Montmartre views |
| Hôtel Montparnasse | Montparnasse | Mid-range | €120 – €200 | Easy access to Montparnasse Cemetery |
| La Maison de la Luz | Near Cimetière de Passy | Luxury | €300 – €500 | Elegant rooms and a relaxing garden |
| Hôtel d’Aubusson | Near Cimetière des Innocents | Luxury | €400 – €600 | Historic charm and close to major attractions |
As visiting Parisian sites goes, visiting the beautiful Parisian cemeteries was rather unexpected but appealing. Each cemetery formed part of a different narrative about the history and culture of the area and merged with the stories of the prominent persons who influenced it.
If you are a history buff, or if you appreciate art, or even if you just want to have a peaceful place to access your mind, these cemeteries are indeed worth visiting. They tell another story about Paris and about the richness of other stories filled with beauty.
My Additional Reminder
- Plan for the Time: Make sure you find out what their opening hours are as well as whether special events or tours are available.
- Always Have a Map: This is essential especially for Père Lachaise as it is vast and it is too easy to get lost!
- Be Considerate: Please it must be remembered that a lot of people regard these places as their homes now and rest places.
- Make Sure To Take Pictures: Make sure to take your camera in order to take pictures of breathtaking designs and temples in the gardens.
I’d like to suggest that you give some thought to including these renowned burial grounds in Paris in your list of places to visit. They provide peaceful relief from the busy city life as well as the opportunity to appreciate the great history of the Parisians.
FAQs:
1. Are the cemeteries in Paris accessible without restrictions?
The majority of cemeteries in the French capital are indeed accessible to the general public and do not require any payment for entry.
2. What is the holiday season like around cimetiere du père lachaise?
If you are looking to escape bustling crowds and have a more serene experience, I suggest going to the shrine of Cimetiere du Pere Lachaise either very early in the morning or later towards the evening when the sun is beginning to set.
3. Is it permissible to use my camera in the cemetery?
Yes, you may bring a camera along, but only in a responsible manner, refraining from using it in spaces where mourners may pay their respects.
4. Using what transport modes do people travel to Pere Lachaise?
Easily reachable by metro, if you wish to use a different method, you may travel to the wider circle of a terminal, which includes Pere Lachaise and Philippe Auguste cemeteries.
5. Do organizations offer specific guided tours?
Yes, most of the well known organizations have on offer specific cemetery tours centered around famous tombs or related to the history of such burial places.
