I love Halloween – it’s my favourite holiday. But being a Halloween enthusiast in France is a difficult feat because Europeans do not harbour the same love for the holiday as North Americans do. Basically, they don’t celebrate All Hallows’ Eve (gasp!). I decided to embark on my own spooky adventure by spending the big day at Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris, where the likes of Oscar Wilde, Édith Piaf, and Jim Morrison are buried.
Getting to the cemetery by metro is easy. Depending on which side of the park you wish to start on, you have the choice between Station Père Lachaise, Philippe Auguste, or Gambetta. Once inside, take a look at the map as the park is separated into several divisions. Here’s a look into the cemetery’s highlights:
As I walk into the cemetery, I can smell fall for the first time since my time in Paris this autumn – it’s a peaceful and welcome change from the Parisian hustle and bustle. I start my visit at the entrance close to Jim Morrison’s tomb, so I decide to follow the crowd. I specifically follow a group of tourists armed with six packs – they look like they know where they’re going.
Jim Morrison’s grave
Once there, they pay tribute to the Doors singer by cracking open their beers. Not far, a group of students visiting the tomb are getting schooled on Morrison’s life – they have no idea who he is, nor do they appear to be dazzled by the sixties. Candles and flowers surround the grave while fans have left their personal items all around (including chewing gum on the infamous “gum tree”).
Édith Piaf’s grave
I then walk to Édith Piaf’s tomb, which is another popular site (the demographic of fans is quite different here!). The space is tight and a little difficult to maneuver. The La Vie en rose singer’s grave is adorned with beautiful flowers and the lyrics to one of her songs: “Dieu reunit ceux qui s’aiment.”
Gertrude Stein’s grave
I continue my visit by making my way to Gertrude Stein’s grave, which was hard to spot at first – I’m one of her only visitors that day, it seems. I pay my respects to the Paris-based American writer and head to see Molière’s, which again, is tucked on a small street and hard to find at first glance.
Oscar Wilde’s grave
I end with Oscar Wilde, which unfortunately now has that glass barrier covering it. This hasn’t stop devoted fans from adding their lipstick-stained kiss to the site. It isn’t too crowded when I arrive, but then again, the cemetery is about to close. I leave as the sun starts to go down which adds to the cemetery’s eerie atmosphere.
While it does feel strange to gawk and snap photos of the graves of those who once lived, there’s also a sense of “paying your respects” that comes along with it. In other words, this adoration becomes proof that their influence lives on.
Have you been to Père Lachaise? Let me know below!
Happy Halloween!
This is a beautiful cemetery! Thank you for sharing pictures. The architecture on some of those graves looks amazing!
I’m glad you enjoyed them! The architecture was indeed stunning – I just scratched the surface with these photos.
Wow your storytelling words and photos captivated me until the very end! I’d love to visit.
Thank you! That’s so kind of you 🙂 Hope you get to visit soon.
What a great way to celebrate Halloween, very old and beautiful place.
Agreed! It was totally in the spirit of the holiday 🙂
How very cool! My fiance thinks I’m weird because I love to tour through old graveyards! 🙂 These are very exquisite and beautiful place to spend eternity!
Yes! And it was so peaceful 🙂 I love it here.
Can’t think of a better way to celebrate Halloween 🙂 Beautiful photos!
-Clarissa @ The View From Here
Thank you – agreed 🙂
Absolutely beautiful! I’m not a huge cemetery person but I think this would be one worth explore.
I wasn’t either – but it was so peaceful (it’s especially hard to find calm in Paris)!
Your photos are gorgeous. I felt like I was visiting Pere Lachaise, too. It also looks as if fall has truly arrived in Paris. 🙂
Thank you, that’s so kind of you! Yes it has 🙂
I visited an old cemetery in Boston and I took pictures too but I did question myself at some point if that was okay. I liked Oscar wilde’s grave.
So did I – it also felt very different to visit the graves of artists like Oscar Wilde vs the graves of modern artists that we lost not too long ago…
Well done on celebrating the spirit of Halloween in a less than traditional Halloween spot! Cemeteries are such interesting spots (even in the daylight) and they contain such amazing history. Your photos here are gorgeous!
Thank you! I tried 🙂
Wow, that’s a gorgeous cemetery! I’ve never seen one quite like it. Very interesting headstones. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for reading 🙂
When I was a teen I was obsessed with the idea of going to Jim Morrison’s grave. A bit macabre, I know. I still plan on making a trip to France eventually and I will define stopping at this cemetery!
There are so many fans that come and visit – you definitely should!
Love this – I’ve not been, buts it’s definitely on my travel wish list (even more so after reading your post). I loved visiting the cemeteries in New Orleans which are very similar. If you haven’t been to those, I’d definitely recommend.
I heard they’re very similar – that’s now on my bucket list 🙂
Love your photos! I live in London and There are few very cool graveyards ! You would love them !
Nice! Didn’t know that – will check it out.
Love this! Many people find this eerie, but it’s a great way to remember the dead.
Thanks – agreed!
These are such beautiful pics! How perfect and fun for Halloween! Thank you for sharing!
Thanks for reading 🙂
These photos are gorgeous. They capture the feel of actually being there.
Thanks 🙂
Wow, what a beautiful cemetery. I had no idea these famous figures were buried here. Such a cool post!
Thank you! Yup, it was a fun discovery.
What an amazing cemetary, I personally love Halloween and the history you found was beautiful.
Thank you! Halloween is my favourite holiday 🙂
I really wanted to go to a cemetery when I was in Paris but didn’t get a chance. So much history!
xo Jen
http://www.asipofbliss.com
Hope you get to visit next time – it’s definitely a must!
wow I feel truly inspired and I want to visit all those places. The photography on this blog is breathtakingly beautiful.
Thank you, Pamela!!! That’s so sweet
Parisian cemeteries are such beautiful and oddly peaceful places to visit. I visited the one at Montparnasse a couple of years back – it was my Dad’s pick and we all thought it was an unusual choice until we arrived. I love seeing the family sites and the love that goes into creating a lasting monument for loved ones. I have not been to Pere Lachaise but would love to do so on my next visit to Paris! I did not know Gertrude Stein was buried there in addition to the well known likes of Jim Morrison and Oscar Wilde.
They are something! I haven’t been to the Montparnasse cemetery yet, although many of my favourite artists are buried there – if you loved that one, you’ll definitely love Père Lachaise 🙂
Such a beautiful cemetery. Never seen this whilst I lived in Paris. Great post
Thanks! Hopefully, you’ll get to visit next time 🙂
I was JUST there. I almost took the exact same first two photos, haha. What a wonderful place…
Haha, awesome! Isn’t great in autumn?
Thank you for your great photos and tour. I think some of the best photography in Paris can be at one of many of the most amazing cemeteries in the world!
Thank YOU for reading 🙂 Totally agree!
I always feel weird when I admit I like to visit graveyards. But looking at old gravestones and reading inscriptions just makes me feel a part of the history of the earth, I guess.
Totally agree! Plus, this one is so peaceful.
That’s so cool. I love looking around old cemeteries. I haven’t made it to this one yet, though I’ve meant to every time I’ve gone to Paris. I need to go pay my respects to Oscar Wilde!
Same and I finally found Halloween as a good excuse to visit!
What an incredible experience. All the history and architecture. I can feel the peacefulness through the images. It seems like it was a surreal experience.
It really was! Thank you!
Your photos are stunning. This is one of my favorite spots in Paris. Thanks for sharing and happy travels 🙂
Thanks for reading! Happy travels to you too 🙂
I live by a cemetery in Tel Aviv and people keeps asking me if I don’t get freaked! It’s so refreshing that places like this are also becoming travel destinations!
Ahh, that must be so interesting! Yes, it’s strange yet enticing at once 🙂