A Sunday afternoon stroll through a cemetery? It might seem a bit morbid to some, but when you’re in Paris and it’s one of the most beautiful cemeteries in the world, why not? Especially since it was just down the road from where we were staying. Père Lachaise Cemetery is the resting place to more famous and influential people than you can poke a stick at (but please don’t poke sticks at them because they’re dead and that’s disrespectful and if zombies really do exist then your brains will be the first thing on the menu). The most notable residents at this cemetery include Oscar Wilde, Edith Piaf, and Jim Morrison. Oscar Wilde’s tomb was relatively easy to find, but Jimbo’s proved to be a bit harder (we were navigating sans map and with a less than photographic memory of the bulletin board). In the end we had to stalk some old guy wearing a Doors t-shirt. Other people had the same idea – I wouldn’t be surprised if this guy basically spent his weekends leading stray visitors to Jim Morrison’s grave. I wouldn’t classify this as a ‘must see’ attraction, but it’s an interesting outing nonetheless.
ha i dont think its morbid, id go stalk jim morrison if i had the chance.
I bet you that guy really does lead people to jims grave. Thats one dedicated fan!
great post chicky, very different. love it! xo
I hadn't really thought of it as a place to visit in Paris, but it definitely would be interesting (and yes, morbid)!
I do not blame you for spending a day at a cemetary. I would, too. Mental bookmark in case I ever visit Paris.
oh, i'd love to visit! some people buried there have had such a huge influence on my own life that i think it makes more sense to go and pay respect rather than snub it as being "too morbid". but hooray for people with doors t-shirts! xxx
http://itscohen.blogspot.com/
2 trips to paris and I've still never been here. I think because I was with people when I was younger that might have assumed I wouldn't be interested.
Your photo of the tilted tombstone is gorgeous.
Cemeteries are some of the most beautiful places I've ever been! This one is wonderful!!
nice pics, so poetic.
xoxo
Great photos, I was there when I was 3 (apparently)- a return is more than due I think! x
These are beautiful photos. I think this has to be one of the most beautiful cemeteries in the world.
I LOVE these photos, esp Wilde's tomb.
I've always wanted to take photos in the old, old cemetery in my dad's village in the Philippines but he says I am not allowed because of the spirits. So I'm too scared to do it 🙁 🙁 🙁
I was a huge Doors fan when I was younger, so it was really amazing to see Jim Morrison's grave (as well as all the other famous ones like Edith Piaf and Oscar Wilde). The whole cemetery is so beautiful and peaceful, I'd love to visit again and spend more time looking around. I want to go to Montparnasse Cemetery next time I'm in Paris too, so I can see Sartre's grave.
Did you see the Heloise and Abelard graves? They were under construction when I went last year. I was really struck by how romantic it is that they were united after death and so beautifully cared for. Though whether or not their actual bodies lie in the tombs is another question altogether…
I'm going to Paris in Feb, this is definitely on my to-do list it looks beautiful 🙂
Oh hahaha. How funny would that be to wear a Doors t-shirt and just wander round like the Pied Piper never leading people where they want to go 🙂 Beautiful pictures, Soph. I love how empty this looks. Although I bet it wasn't!
this cemetary was the place i most wanted to visit when i went to paris! and i too spent far too long wandering around trying to find jim morrison's grave!
@alexis: pretty sure there were some groupies hanging around Jim's grave haha
@rebecca: paying respect is the perfect way to describe it. Although the herds of tourists around particular graves can be a bit offputting (but hey, I was one of those tourists so can't complain haha)
@KatherineJoan: It was really serene. The tree lined lanes were beautiful.
@BlithelyUnaware: I felt a bit odd taking photos, because it's not a typically 'touristy' place. Glad I did though.
@Lyndall: was it all cordoned off when you went? I was surprised at how out of the way his grave was. I'd love to visit Monparnasse too – I was nearby to see the catacombs but didn't go to the actual cemetery.
@kittenmasks: No I didn't. Or if I did it was only in passing and I didn't notice. I really wish I had researched more of the people that were buried there.
@Smellis: oh have fun on you're trip!
@anab: it was funny because he literally did just pick up people along the way, lead them to the grave site, and then disappeared again! I had to wait a while to grab that photo of the empty street – every time I went to take a photo someone would walk up from the hill haha
@Charlotte: It's such a lovely cemetery – I wish I had more time to just walk up and down all the lanes.
oscar wild should have been my teacher! so jealous right now!great pics!