Pere Lachaise, Paris – Is It A Cemetery Or An Open-Air Museum?

How Pere Lachaise became one of the most prestigious burial places?

Pere Lachaise cemetery is located on the hill where King Louis XIV’s confessor (known as Father – Pere - Francois de la Chaise) used to live. In 1803, Napoleon Bonaparte purchased the land and turned it into a cemetery the following year. The introductory years of the new graveyard were overly disappointing due to its remoteness from Paris – only a couple of burials took place here. Then, the administration came up with, as it turned out, an excellent solution. The remains of de la Fontaine (the 17th century poet) and Moliere (a comedy writer and actor) were transferred to Pere Lachaise, followed by other similar acquisitions. In no time, the cemetery became a prestigious burial place, attracting people to secure their resting place next to the famous personalities. The once rusty cemetery was expanded several times until 1850.

Since the demand overly surpassed the offer, the price had risen, making the burial available only for the rich. However, being buried here wasn’t enough anymore. Members of the upper social classes started to compete who can make prettier and more opulent tombstone for their deceased. And, not only the tombstone, as you are about to find out.

Tombstones, sculptures, grottos… even houses!!!

While making your way lengthwise and crosswise through Pere Lachaise, you’ll see various motifs decorating tombs, family mausoleums and memorials. Some of them illustrate heavenly creatures and biblical scenes, such as angels, nymphs, shepherds with lambs (probably symbolizing the crucifixion of Christ), etc. Next to one another, you’ll see a statue of a female person holding a laurel wreath (clearly symbolizing victory), an obelisk, a Gothic chapel, and so on.

The differences of styles aren’t the only thing that appeals to a visitor while walking the Pere Lachaise’s expansive grounds. Since the cemetery is pretty much crowded, it often appears that the tombs and mausoleums are literally placed atop one another, making the place a bit charming, cemetery or no cemetery.

Graves of famous people and memorials of Pere Lachaise

Famous personalities with the eternal resting places on Pere Lachaise are numerous. Every one of them either lived in Paris, or was drawn to it at some point in their lives. It’s why various worldwide famous artists, scientists, politicians, writers, musicians and other performers are buried here. Since the deceased were buried where it was possible at the time of their deaths, their graves are scattered throughout the cemetery.

Among others, here are buried Edith Piaf, a singer, Frederic Chopin, a composer, writers Honore de Balzac and Oscar Wilde, artists Delacroix, Modigliani and Pissarro, famous dancer Jane Avril who performed at the Moulin Rouge, Jim Morrison, another singer, etc.

Beautiful memorials are devoted, in general, to civil and military victims of the 20th century World Wars. The one in the photo commemorates the Italian volunteers that died on the French soil in the First World War (1914 – 1918). Other memorials honour the Greeks, whose memorial is recognizable by the statue of the Winged Victory of Samothrace, the Czechoslovakian victims and the Russians, to mention some. A memorial devoted to the French Jews taken to the German death camps during the Second World War is also present.