Discovering the Père Lachaise Cemetery Activity

Created in 1804 to relieve the capital's dangerous cemeteries, the "Eastern Cemetery" was installed outside the city walls on Charonne Hill by decision of the prefect Frochot. Brongniart was commissioned to redesign the plans for what had once been a country residence for various wealthy owners who had succeeded one another.

Although its privileged and exceptionally wooded site was not successful at the outset, within a few decades it was coveted by the greatest representatives of its century, who jostled each other to rest beside Jean de La Fontaine, Molière and Heloise and Abelard...

Commonly known as the "Père La Chaise", former confessor of the Sun King who had elected his residence there for some time, this romantic and distinguished place takes us back in time.

• Guided tour