Hey there, travelers! Today, we want to share with you a not so hidden gem in Paris – the Père-Lachaise Cemetery. It’s not your average graveyard; it’s more like an open-air museum and a top tourist spot. Can you believe it attracts a whopping 3 million visitors every year? That’s insane!
Let’s take a stroll through history, shall we? Back in 1804, this cemetery was set up on a hill called “Mont-aux-vignes,” far away from the city walls. Before it became a cemetery, it used to be a vineyard, and later, the Jesuits turned it into a convalescent place. One of the Jesuits was Louis XIV’s confessor, François d’Aix de La Chaize, and that’s how the cemetery got its name.
It was a crucial solution to address the unsanitary and dangerous state of Parisian cemeteries that were more like charnel houses. Remember the mess at the Cemetery of the Innocents? Yeah, it was a disaster waiting to happen! Bonaparte stepped in and issued a decree that everyone, regardless of race or religion, had the right to be buried. So, new cemeteries sprouted up outside Paris, like Montparnasse, Montmartre, and our star, the Père-Lachaise.
At first, Parisians were a bit snobbish about resting here, but a clever PR campaign changed their minds. They placed Molière and Jean de La Fontaine side by side, and even the doomed lovers Héloïse and Abélard got some attention. Now, the cemetery boasts an eclectic mix of tomb styles, from antique to gothic and neoclassical to Haussmannian.
Oh, but the real magic lies in the company here! You’ll find famous names like Signoret, Montand, Chopin, Piaf, and many others resting alongside ordinary folks from different faiths and beliefs. It’s a poetic and bucolic place for eternal rest.
And let me tell you, it’s not just about the dead, but also the living! Père-Lachaise is a haven for biodiversity – a whopping 400 trees, some over a century old, and nine remarkable ones. Wild and domestic animals coexist peacefully, with foxes now calling this place home.
Now, get ready for some quirky and eccentric stories! People leave all sorts of offerings on the graves, like noodles for Asian origins, madeleines for Proust, and potatoes for Parmentier (you can’t make this stuff up!). And don’t even get me started on the chewing gum near Jim Morrison’s grave or the thousands of kisses on Oscar Wilde’s tomb. Oh, and Allan Kardec’s tomb – you touch it, apperently your wishes might come true!
Visiting Père-Lachaise is a unique experience every time. Just remember, it’s an active cemetery, so let’s be respectful during our visit. They have daily ceremonies, so keep that in mind.
Anyway, folks, if you’re ever in Paris, make sure to swing by the Père-Lachaise Cemetery. It’s a fascinating place where history, nature, and eccentricity come together in a delightful mix. Plus, it’s free to enter, so what’s stopping you? Happy exploring!