Cimetière du Père-Lachaise — Attraction in Paris

Pere Lachaise is one of the most famous cemeteries in the world. It is situated in the eastern part of the capital and is officially called the Eastern cemetery. Among other things, Pere-Lachaise cemetery, perhaps, is the largest green oasis in Paris and one of the largest museums of gravestones, covering an area of approximately 48 hectare.

Pere Lachaise Cemetery in Paris, known to locals as the "City of the Dead," and it can really be called a city - without a map here difficult to navigate. Frankly, see this famous cemetery was among the main attractions I wanted to visit, once in France. And as strange as it may be, Pere Lachaise literally mesmerizing steep hills, numerous trees, passing lanes and here, of course, unusual stone tombstones. By the way, many Parisians come to this place to tune in to a peace footing. For residents of Paris's Pere Lachaise cemetery - it is also a great place for a relaxing stroll. To some extent, it has already turned into a kind of park.

Once at the Pere Lachaise cemetery for the first time, to understand what and where it is very difficult without a map. And if you look, for example, a tomb, you can literally knock his feet. Free guides give more input.

When the history of the Pere Lachaise just beginning, this place has not bore its present name, and was a poor man with gray inconspicuous area streets that literally swarmed with criminals. In 1430, a rich merchant, decided to build a house here, over time, become the property of the monastery. Subsequently, the hill where there was a cemetery, was owned by the Jesuits, and the terrain itself has retained the name of Francois de la Sheza - one of the fathers of the Order.

Monument — Appeared in 1804, Pere-Lachaise was not as popular as it is today, because there has been no more of his stories, and was located at a distance from the borders of the then Paris. Therefore, almost no one was willing to bury their loved ones here. Any way to correct this situation, the authorities have decided to add the Paris cemetery Pere Lachaise popularity here reburied the remains of Molière and Jean de La Fontaine, and after a few years here and moved the remains of Pierre Abelard.

This event gave the results: by the 1824 number of "clients" Père Lachaise has increased to 33 million. Throughout the whole two centuries buried in the cemetery's most famous figures of culture and science, who have made a significant contribution to the history of France. At this point in the Pere Lachaise cemetery in Paris, buried more than a million people, not including those whose ashes are stored in the...

The morning chill began to lift as we reached the gates, bookended by medallions and the eternal flames. Hades himself would be impressed. Stucco boundary walls over ten meters high, prison-like at the same time a sacred French provincial style. Perhaps to keep all the souls within its keep. Pere Lachaise. A path cut through the maze of green, the main artery weaved into the undulating landscape. I took a pamphlet blueprint from the plastic container bolted to the inner wall. Eagerly I opened each end, unfolded to full size. The position of Jim Morrison’s grave sat east near a corner. The extent of the garden beauty hits me. Sunlight breaks overhanging canopies, highlighting the reds, blues, yellows, oranges. Add everything in between. The spectrum. I tramp the uphill turn, searching the headstones, too many colors to process. Warrens of unmade trails recede into the brush. For twenty minutes I examine the names. Unable to make head or tail of the mini paths that appear and disappear with another dead-end. I stumble over the same lot that I’ve circled three times before. Frustration not far away. Try to find inspiration. I glanced at the map and back at the headstones. Suddenly, there it is, tucked behind a larger grave, hidden from view and crammed between two plots. Jim Morrison’s headstone. Worth the trouble to find. Simple plaque. Flowers lay in the dirt. Candles new and used sit atop the square stone. A photo portrait in a frame. I take a minute to examine the words, think about the impact of the lizard king on culture. Counterculture. Heading due north, I seek the world’s greatest poet. Oscar Wilde. Sun comes in flashes, a brilliant twenty-eight degrees. No need for the jacket. Spring gives the most specular show as midday approaches. I won’t have as much trouble finding this huge monument. The cemetery middle passes, monuments and statues to war veterans and heroes alike stand proud in bronze and stone. Wilde’s massive art deco monument does not disappoint. Majestic and unique on a corner. I take in the splendor, an art deco marvel. It reaches up into the sky. The only blemish is the kisses many have felt necessary to place. May Jim, Oscar and all the residents rest in eternal peace. I go on in search of more wonders, to enjoy the marvelous day in this historic site. This is not a place or a destination: it is an experience. Once in a lifetime: a must see and more...

Although it’s far from the city, it’s definitely worth the visit to pay your respects to some of the most talented people that have existed. The best and most affordable way to go there is by metro which is very near the cemetery. And once you enter there will be a map but I personally used Google maps for it was very useful, and it takes you directly to the person you want to see. Although many people like to visit Jim Morrison I’m personally not a fan, so I skipped him and the first person I went to pay my respects to was the great chanteuse Édith Piaf, who was quite easy to find for there were people around her tomb and many flowers and pictures. On the way to Édith Piaf’s tomb there are many tombs with highly beautiful sculptures, almost all of them you might want to take a look at. I took random pictures of random ones because they were so interesting looking, and when I went back home I found out many of those tombs were of influential people such as Miguel Angel Asturias who had a Mayan stone on his tomb. Near Édith Piaf’s tomb was the former tomb of Ettore Bugatti as it’s indicated online that it was moved, who founded the automobile company Bugatti. The next person I went to pay my respects to was the Irish playwright Oscar Wilde who after being convicted in England of “gross indecency” and sentenced to two years in jail fled to France where he died. On his tomb he had a statue of an angel that was inspired by his story The Sphinx and by the winged Assyrian bulls. Due to some people who started kissing the tomb and putting graffiti, Irelands Office of Public Works which considers the tomb an Irish monument, paid to have it cleaned up and put a glass barrier. Now people kiss the glass barrier and throw flowers and pictures over it. Afterwards, I paid my respects to Sarah Bernhardt one of the first prominent actresses and Frédéric Chopin, one of the best composers who wrote mostly for the piano and had the statue of Euterpe, the Muse of Music, on his tomb. There were many other great people I didn’t get a chance to see such as: Marcel Marceau, Maria Callas, Yves Montand, Molière, Honoré de Balzac and more. Don’t forget to make a list and go pay respects to your favorite people, as it is a very...