Père Lachaise Cemetery, Paris
So, a little unusual
Once again that slight obsession/fascination that I have with cemeteries reveals itself.
It’s the history, traditions, passion, designs, celebrations of life in death that I am intrigued with.
I struggle to walk past a cemetery or graveyard without strolling through it.
Gary has now got so used to this, that he has succumbed to my fixation and will actually track down, more unusual ones for me.
Birthday treat
We visited Père Lachaise Cemetery when we met up with my parents in Paris, for mum’s birthday.
What a treat for her strolling around a graveyard on your big day, when you could have been coiffing Champagne (she enjoyed it really).
Admired
Père Lachaise Cemetery is well known for being the final resting place of some famous people, including Jim Morrison, Edith Piaf, Chopin & Oscar Wilde.
Visiting
Père Lachaise Cemetery is free of charge to visit.
Remembering
However, within these peaceful walls, there are so many other stories being told.
Life-changers
Originally buried here was Victor Schœlcher.
A French statesman known for the abolition of slavery.
Schoelcher's remains were transferred to the Panthéon in 1949 as he wished to be buried alongside his father.
Get Lost
What intrigues me at times with cemeteries, is that these tranquil places have evolved and grown over time and there is often disorder and chaos about the layout.
For me just strolling along the cobbled tree-lined avenues appreciating the how each of us honours our loved ones.
Why not?
Visit something a little different during your trip to Paris, you’ll be surprised at the historical knowledge you’ll gain by taking a stroll.
We love traveling by Eurostar, but there are some great deals with EasyJet & British Airways.
Creators
Also within the lanes is the French Romantic painter, whose major work 'The Raft of the Medusa' is on display at Louvre.
A famous pioneer of his time was Joseph Spiess, a French inventor of the rigid airship.
He is buried here with other family members.
Find out a little more
The Père Lachaise Cemetery website, gives you some useful pointers.
Family Crypts
As with a lot of cemeteries, there are often family tombs or mausoleums, and at Père Lachaise there are some very grand ones.
Metro
The nearest Metro stops to the cemetery are Père Lachaise or Gambetta stations.
Texas
I love the history of the larger cemeteries, but equally, there is a certain intimacy with tiny ones. Weirdly we were on a safari in Namibia tracking desert elephants, and we came across a cemetery (now that was remote).
Then a chance meeting with a local guy in Marathon, Texas, suggested we take a wander to the local cemetery which clearly displayed the differences between protestant & catholic celebrations of the dead.
Normandy
I have lost count just in this year alone how many cemeteries we have seen, as we visited the Normandy beaches in July and paid our respects along the way.
Have You?
Explored Père Lachaise cemetery or would you like to share with me an interesting one you have visited. Highgate is still on my list.
Inspired to visit Père Lachaise ?
Well if you're in Paris, and you have the time, why not?
Why not check out the latest deals on Booking.Com?
(Why not Pin It for Later?)
