Balzac's grave (flickr @brighton)
Pere Lachaise was originally constructed in 1804 in the 20eme arrondissement of Paris. As it was on the outskirts of the city center, few people chose to be buried there until cemetery administrators decided to move in some famous remains starting in the 1820s. The rest… is history. After the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower, it is one of the most popular places to visit in Paris.
Covering a massive 44 hectares and containing over 100,000 burial places, Pere Lachaise is considered Paris’ most beautiful burial ground. At the cemetery’s main entrance from Boulevard de Ménilmontant, one can get a map listing the hundreds of famous remains within its walls. Traversing the maze-like paths and some of the steep climbs can take up a good portion of your day. In the summer, the best times to visit are in the morning.
Download a map of Pere Lachaise prior to your visit.
Here is a list of some of the celebrities buried in Pere Lachaise. Below are more pictures of famous resting spots.
Graffiti near Jim Morrison's grave
Modigliani's grave (flickr @alpha-kappa)
Baron Haussmann's tomb
Oscar Wilde's grave (flickr @davorg)
Chopin's grave (flickr @bruchez)
Edith Piaf's grave (flickr @bruchez)
Proust's grave (flickr @vivoandando)
Gertrude Stein's grave (flickr @nauright)
Tags: balzac, edith piaf, jim morrison, oscar wilde, pere lachaise
