Perhaps this is a morbid subject, but I was browsing through some of my photographs and I came across a series of pictures that I took of Pere Lachaise cemetery, on the outskirts of Paris, and I thought I’d share them.
Opened in 1804 it is now one of the most visited destinations in Paris. It’s a truly unique place, with a calm and peaceful atmosphere. The Bloke and I visited on a glorious sunny day, and I was astounded by how beautiful it was.
There are lots of famous graves that are situated around the cemetery. Here are just a few of them…
Sarah Bernhardt
Edith Piaf
Marcel Marceaux
Chopin
Oscar Wilde
Jim Morrison (my friend visited the week before and said that a large bottle of Jack Daniels had been left there)
If you ever get the opportunity to go, I would highly recommend it. It’s certainly an unusual and beautiful experience…
Suzie Speaks 
That wasn’t morbid at all. It was really interesting. I never knew that was where Oscar Wilde was buried. Thank you.
You’re very welcome! Thanks, as always, for your lovely comment!
No problem. I really enjoyed it. I hope others do too.
Chopin’s is just beautiful. What was written on Wilde’s grave? Just names or quotes? Whatever they are I like the way it looks.
People’s names, quotes, messages of love etc. someone had drawn a heart around one of the letters of his name in lipstick…
Jim Morrisons favorite wash it down drink Jd. They all pass away at 27.
It’s sad isn’t it! I was gutted when Amy Winehouse joined the ’27 club.’
They flame out too soon! Their hearts and souls are filled with turmoil. He broke on thru to the other side to soon.
I find these types of graves very interesting; where the dead aren’t buried in the ground. While I have never been to France, I have seen these when I was in New Orleans a couple years ago. Supposedly they bury their dead like this due to the shifting, swampy ground, but it could also just be a cultural thing.
I find cemeteries one of the most peaceful and powerful places on earth … and such history they represent! Your photos of famous names’ graves takes us to their brief moment on this earth.
In my travels, seeing the names and years of anonymous/not-so-famous people – and knowing that THIS PERSON was real and loved – makes the visit to their part of the world so much more personal and meaningful.
They are a reminder that even after we are gone, we were here; we mattered to someone.
Thank you for sharing your photos of Père Lachaise. I hope to visit myself one day soon.
I absolutely agree – although Pere Lachaise has also become a little bit of a tourist destination now too. It’s a beautiful place -hope you get to go sometime soon!
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