Père Lachaise

Père Lachaise is the gateway to the world's most visited cemetery - a 44-hectare city of the dead on the slopes of the Ménilmontant hill where some of the greatest names in art, literature, music and philosophy are buried. Édith Piaf, Jim Morrison, Frédéric Chopin, Oscar Wilde, Marcel Proust, Honoré de Balzac, Eugène Delacroix, Isadora Duncan and the revolutionary Communards - the list is extraordinary. Beyond the famous names, the cemetery itself is one of the most beautiful green spaces in Paris, with ancient trees, cobbled avenues and funerary sculpture of astonishing quality.

Pick up a map at the main entrance on Boulevard de Ménilmontant - without one, finding specific graves is a genuine challenge in the 97 numbered divisions.

Station Overview

Zone 1. Lines 2 and 3. Step-free access available.

Travel Tips

• Jim Morrison's grave (Division 6) is one of the most visited - often crowded, always marked with flowers and notes
• Oscar Wilde's tomb (Division 89) has a sphinx sculpture traditionally covered in lipstick kisses - now protected by glass
• The Mur des Fédérés (Division 76) is where 147 Paris Commune fighters were shot in 1871 - a deeply atmospheric corner of the cemetery
• The cemetery closes at 17:30 (18:00 in summer) - time your visit accordingly

Nearby Attractions

Père Lachaise Cemetery - Directly accessible. 44 hectares, free entry. Open Monday to Friday 08:00–17:30 and weekends 08:30–17:30 (summer hours extended to 18:00).

Belleville - 5 minutes walk north. Multicultural neighbourhood with excellent street food and Parc de Belleville's panoramic views over Paris.

Timings and Best Time to Travel

Standard Métro hours. Visit on a weekday morning for the most peaceful experience - weekend afternoons attract significant crowds around the famous graves. The cemetery is most atmospheric in autumn when the leaves are turning.