The Famous Cemetery Parisians Love to Visit
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If you are visiting France this fall and coming to Paris, autumn is, without a doubt, the best time to visit the Père Lachaise Cemetery, the most-visited necropolis in the world. The light turns golden, the trees lose their leaves, and the small cobblestone paths become quiet carpets of orange and yellow. Everything feels peaceful, but also a little mysterious, especially when you hear the crows crying from the tall chestnut trees. Their sound echoes between the tombs, adding a strange, almost French cinema-like atmosphere.
The Pere Lachaise is Alive with Stories
Père Lachaise is not only a cemetery, it’s also a part of Paris life, full of stories, emotions, and sometimes a few surprises. Walking there is like opening a history book. You can visit the tombs of famous writers such as Molière and La Fontaine, who were moved here in the 19th century to make the cemetery more attractive. It was a marketing idea, and it paid off!
Edith Piaf’s Legacy (and a Small Misprint)
Then there is Edith Piaf. Her grave is one of the most visited, and on it is a small, moving plaque written by a fan. If you look closely, you will notice a funny spelling mistake in French: it reads “Édith, tes chansons sont toujours d’actualitées.” The extra “e” and “s” at the end of the word ‘actualitées’ have been there for years, untouched; maybe nobody dares to correct them, out of respect or maybe superstition.
A Rock ‘n’ Roll Pilgrimage
Jim Morrison, the legendary singer of the iconic rock band The Doors, is also resting here. His grave was once simple, but over the years it became one of the most famous in Père Lachaise. Fans from all around the world still come to leave flowers, notes, or sometimes a bottle of whiskey. Recently, his stolen bronze bust, which had been missing for decades, was finally found by the police in Paris, completely by chance, during a different investigation. It is very dirty and still has graffiti and damage. Now, people are discussing whether the bust will be returned to the grave. The cemetery has not confirmed this yet. The grave you see today is a simpler headstone, installed later by his family. The site still draws thousands of fans every year.
The Columbarium
Hidden in a quieter area, at the top of the hill, you can also discover the columbarium, one of the most interesting places in Père Lachaise. Part of it is underground, with long vaulted galleries where thousands of urns are kept. Another part is outside, under the open sky, with walls full of plaques, names and dates. It’s both intimate and immense, a modern continuation of the cemetery’s history, where the memory of the dead stays in peace with the sound of the wind and the city far away.
Beyond the Cemetery
Père Lachaise is located in the 20th arrondissement, a part of Paris still relatively unknown and away from the bustling tourist paths. This neighbourhood, often overlooked, is full of hidden gems, charming streets, small cafés, street art, and quiet parks. Check out Place Martin Nadaud and the nearby Place Gambetta, you will not be disappointed! This is the kind of place where true Parisians live. Visiting the cemetery is also an opportunity to explore a side of Paris that feels authentic and full of surprises.
A Walk Between Life and Memory
When you walk through Père Lachaise in autumn, you don’t only visit a cemetery, you enter a world between life and memory, silence and song. The colours, the crows, the old stones covered with green moss. Everything feels poetic, even a bit magical.
Top Tip: Visit at Dawn
If you come to Paris in the fall, go there early in the morning. Take your time, listen to the silence, and you will understand why Père Lachaise is still one of the most mysterious and touching places in the city.
Benoit Ochart, our English-speaking property manager partner in Paris, prepared this article. Thank you, Benoît, for your latest seasonal contribution. For more stories for visitors heading to Paris this autumn, follow the Emily in Paris favourite spots and discover the catacombs for a scary Halloween adventure in France.
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