Celebrating New Year in Paris – Père Lachaise Cemetery

🌳Père Lachaise Cemetery (Cimetière du Père-Lachaise), located in the 20th arrondissement of Paris, resembles a timeless garden that has flourished for over 200 years. Quietly nestled in a corner of the city, it has become the final resting place for generations of Parisians. In Europe, cemeteries often resemble open-air art museums, where people walk their dogs, stroll, bask in the sun, and even fall in love. 🌳In winter, Père Lachaise exudes a serene and solemn beauty. Sunlight filters through the sparse branches, casting a soft golden glow on the rows of tombstones and the moss that clings to them. The smooth stone paths reflect the shadows of tree trunks, while withered vines entwine ancient burial niches. The occasional flapping of pigeon wings breaks the silence. 🌳We walked slowly along the main path, searching for familiar Chinese names. Unfortunately, the inscriptions on the stones were all in French, and without my daughter's help, even standing before a grave, I wouldn’t have recognized it. 🌳The first grave we found was that of Balzac. His tombstone features a bust of him, a cross, and a quill pen. It was with such a pen that he brought characters like Eugénie Grandet and Père Goriot to life. #WinterParks #France #Paris #PèreLachaiseCemetery #TracesOfHistory #Balzac