Père Lachaise Cemetery: Tickets and Tours

With over 40 hectares of land, Pere Lachaise is the largest cemetery in Paris. More than 800,000 people are buried here, including famous names like Frederic Chopin, Jim Morrison and Oscar Wilde.

Enjoy a stroll on a sunny afternoon or join a guided tour with Pere Lachaise Cemetery tickets to learn about its notable graves.

Read on for your guide to Pere Lachaise Cemetery, one of the most notable attractions in Paris.

How much are Pere Lachaise Cemetery tickets?

There is no entrance fee for Pere Lachaise Cemetery. Visitors can simply come and enjoy the day at this popular attraction in the heart of Paris.

You do not need to purchase tickets or worry about the price of visiting Pere Lachaise Cemetery, making it the perfect budget-friendly place to visit. Instead, invest the money into a guided tour which will be educational and make the day more memorable.

What are the most popular Pere Lachaise Cemetery tours?

Pere Lachaise Cemetery guided tour

A guided tour of Pere Lachaise Cemetery in Paris will take two to three hours. Your knowledgeable tour guide can point out famous graves and tell you anecdotes about the cemetery.

Entry to Pere Lachaise Cemetery is free for all visitors, but guided tours will considerably improve your experience there.

Pere Lachaise Cemetery self-guided audio tour

A quick and convenient way to see the cemetery is to join a self-guided audio tour. Walk through the rows of graves at your own pace and listen offline if needed.

There is no need to book a ticket for this guided Pere Lachaise Cemetery tour in advance, and prices are guaranteed to be low.

Pere Lachaise Cemetery English-only tour

While many tours in Paris are narrated in English, you might be paired with a group of French-speaking visitors. To guarantee you’ll have a good experience with an English-speaking guide, you can choose to book an English-only tour.

Pere Lachaise Cemetery small group guided tour

Get a more intimate tour experience at a low rate by joining a small group guided tour of Pere Lachaise Cemetery. You’ll be joined by six other visitors on a walk through the cemetery grounds. Your guide will be happy to answer any questions you have along the way.

Pere Lachaise Cemetery private guided tour

If you’re travelling with a larger group or want your guide’s undivided attention, a private tour will be the best choice. While the rate may be slightly higher, this experience of Pere Lachaise Cemetery is more than worth it, especially considering that you do not need to purchase tickets or worry about an entrance fee.

Should you buy Pere Lachaise Cemetery tickets in advance?

While you do not need a ticket to visit Pere Lachaise Cemetery in Paris, it is advisable to book any guided tours in advance, as the price may increase. Spots for the most popular guided tours sell out fast, so get ahead of the crowd and book online.

What will you see at the Pere Lachaise Cemetery?

It is difficult to say how many people are buried at Pere Lachaise Cemetery. Most estimates lie close to 800,000, but there could easily be more. While the graves are the main attraction, most visitors also love the quiet atmosphere and ancient trees that line the cobblestone walkways. Get lost in nature and enjoy this green space in the heart of Paris.

Some of the most famous tombs in Pere Lachaise Cemetery include:

The grave of Jim Morrison

The lead singer of the rock band The Doors is buried in Pere Lachaise Cemetery. Jim Morrison passed away in Paris in 1971 and his grave attracts thousands of fans to this day. It’s one of the more recent burial sites at the cemetery and also one of the busiest.

The grave of Oscar Wilde

The famous poet, novelist and journalist, Oscar Wilde, found his final resting place in Pere Lachaise Cemetery in 1900. His tomb is Egyptian-themed and the large statue is often kissed by tourists — some even apply lipstick to it. In an effort to protect the grave, it is now surrounded by a glass barricade.

The grave of Frederic Chopin

Just like Jim Morrison, the grave of Frederic Chopin draws crowds of fans to Paris’s most famous cemetery annually. The Polish pianist’s grave is decorated with an elaborate statue of Euterpe, a goddess of Music.

The grave of Marcel Proust

A classic author and iconic literary figure, Marcel Proust is still loved by many today, more than 100 years after his death. Those unfamiliar with his works might still know him for his passion for French madeleines. These small, buttery cakes are often left at his grave as a little tribute to him and his life.

The grave of Felix Faure

Faure is a former president of France who passed away in 1899 while he was still in office. His grave features a lifesize sculpture of him lying down and it is one of the most visited in the Pere Lachaise Cemetery.

The grave of Peter Abelard

Peter Abelard was a famous French philosopher, author and musician. This is one of the older graves in the cemetery, as Abelard passed away in the 12th century. Spot the intricately decorated tomb at Pere Lachaise Cemetery under the lush foliage of trees.

How to reach the Pere Lachaise Cemetery?

Pere Lachaise Cemetery is located in the heart of Paris and can easily be reached via public transport.

There is a Pere Lachaise metro station that is serviced by the No. 2 and 3 lines. The metro stations Phillippe Auguste and Alexandre Dumas are also located close by.

When is the ideal time to visit the Pere Lachaise Cemetery?

A nice, sunny afternoon will be the ideal time to visit Pere Lachaise Cemetery. It is most crowded on weekends and popular graves might be very busy during this time. However, luckily enough, the grounds are very large and you’ll be able to find plenty of quiet corners.

Since you do not have to buy tickets for Pere Lachaise Cemetery, you can visit spontaneously whenever the weather is nice and you need a break from the busy streets of Paris.

Which other attractions can be seen in Paris?

• Eiffel Tower
• Arc de Triomphe
• Notre Dame
• Sainte Chapelle
• Versailles
• Sacre Coeur

Top travel tips

• Wear comfortable shoes. Pere Lachaise Cemetery is very large and you’ll be walking around a lot during your visit.
• Be respectful of the graves at the cemetery. While this is a popular tourist attraction in Paris, it is also a burial place for thousands of people. Do not step on any graves or leave litter behind. Keep children close and do not let them run around. Keep noise levels to a minimum.
• Before you visit Pere Lachaise Cemetery, do some research on the people who are buried there. You’ll find a guided tour much more enjoyable if you have some basic knowledge of the famous people you’ll be told about during your tour. You might even come across some names that specifically interest you and you can ask your tour guide to tell you about them.
• The cemetery is open from 8 AM to 6 PM. During the summer months, the sun can set very late in Paris and 6 PM can feel very early. Keep an eye on the time to make sure your visit to Pere Lachaise Cemetery is not cut short.
• Plan enough time to visit this attraction. The cemetery is much larger than most people anticipate and you might want some time to sit on a bench or just enjoy a sunny day. Don’t rush your visit and take a moment to reflect.