Explore Père Lachaise Cemetery with a Self-Guided Audio Tour
Discover the stories behind the most famous graves in Paris - at your own pace, offline, and with expert narration.
Already explored by 5,000+ users
Why Visit Père Lachaise Cemetery?
At first glance, it’s a cemetery. But give it ten minutes - and Père Lachaise becomes something else entirely. A peaceful park. A sculpture garden. A time machine. It’s the largest cemetery in Paris, and the most visited in the world. A place where every corner holds a story, and every tombstone whispers something - if you listen closely. Stroll down its tree-lined avenues and you’ll see: this isn’t just where people are buried. It’s where they keep talking - in marble, bronze, and legend.
From Rejection to Icon
When it opened in 1804, no one wanted to be buried here. Back then, Père Lachaise was on the edge of the city - far from fashionable - and people were wary. So the city got creative: they reburied Molière and La Fontaine here to draw attention. It worked. Within years, Père Lachaise became the trendiest afterlife address in Paris. Today, being buried here is still a dream - but not an easy one. To qualify, you must have lived or died in Paris, and even then, plots are rare and expensive. It’s harder to get into Père Lachaise than some Paris apartments.
The Columbarium & Crematorium
Not all stories are carved in stone. In 1894, Père Lachaise opened Paris’s first crematorium. Below it, a vast columbarium hides thousands of urns. Some names are unforgettable:
🎭 Isadora Duncan, the dancer undone by her scarf
🎼 Maria Callas, whose ashes vanished and later were scattered in the Aegean
🔥 Nestor Makhno, anarchist and rebel
🎙️ Pierre Dac, master of absurd humor
Cooler. Quieter. Haunting in a different way.
Graves That Became Legends
Above ground, it’s a star-studded lineup.
🧪 Oscar Wilde, behind glass, once kissed with lipstick
🎸 Jim Morrison, adored, his grave marked with gum
🎤 Édith Piaf, buried with her daughter and last love
🎹 Frédéric Chopin, his heart resting in Warsaw
Over 70,000 graves. Some grand, some simple. Many are true artworks—carved angels, stained glass, surreal shapes. A walk here is like an open-air museum of beauty, memory, and grief.
Père Lachaise: An Intriguing Audio Tour in Paris
Discover the stories of the most famous residents of Paris’ legendary cemetery. Walk at your own pace, offline, with GPS guidance and real narration.
From €6.90
100% offline - no internet needed
GPS-based, auto-play at each location
English, French, German, Spanish etc
Works on iOS & Android
120 minutes & 33 stops
How to Visit Père Lachaise Cemetery
Address
16 Rue du Repos, 75020 Paris, France
Metro
Père Lachaise (Lines 2 & 3)Gambetta (recommended entrance)
Opening Hours
Entry Fee
Free for all visitors
Navigation Tip
Use Google Maps or offline GPS
Accessibility
What You’ll Discover on the Père Lachaise Tour
Oscar Wilde’s Tomb
Oscar Wilde’s glass-covered grave, kissed by thousands, symbolizes love, art, scandal, and Paris’s complex views on beauty and freedom.
Jim Morrison’s Grave
Jim Morrison’s grave, the cemetery’s most visited, is covered with fan notes, flowers, gum, and graffiti, honoring the mysterious rock icon.
Frédéric Chopin
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The Communards’ Wall
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Édith Piaf
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Héloïse and Abelard
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The Story of Père Lachaise
Who Was Père Lachaise?
François de La Chaise - or simply Père Lachaise - was the personal confessor of King Louis XIV. In the 1600s, the King gifted him a peaceful estate on the eastern hills of Paris. That very hill would one day become the world’s most famous cemetery. When Père Lachaise died, the estate passed to the Jesuit order. But in the 18th century, the order was disbanded, the mansion demolished, and the land abandoned… until Napoleon changed everything.
Marketing That Changed Everything
In 1804, Napoleon Bonaparte declared that cemeteries should be open to all - regardless of religion or class. The city founded several new burial grounds, including one on this very hill. Landscaped like a garden, it still didn’t attract mourners.
The Wall of the Communards
In 1871, Père Lachaise became a battleground during the brutal end of the Paris Commune. On May 28th, 147 captured Communards were executed by firing squad against a stone wall. Buried beneath it, their grave and memorial are one. Today, the Mur des Fédérés is a powerful symbol of resistance, freedom, and political sacrifice.
What’s Included in the Audio Tour
The TouringBee self-guided audio tour is the smartest and most flexible way to explore the legendary Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris. Just download the mobile app, plug in your headphones, and unlock the fascinating stories of 33 iconic graves, hidden alleys, and surreal sculptures - all at your own pace and fully offline.
Stops
33 locations
Languages
8 languages
Duration
~ 2-3 hours
Format
Mobile App
Offline mode
100% offline
Père Lachaise Audioguide
Feature List:
100% offline - no Wi-Fi, no data
GPS-based auto-play at each location
1 year access from purchase
Professional voice narration
Digital map & navigation tips
Available in 10+ languages
2+ hours of rich, real stories
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is buried at Père Lachaise Cemetery?
Père Lachaise is the final resting place of over 70,000 people - including Oscar Wilde, Jim Morrison, Edith Piaf, Frédéric Chopin, and Molière.
Why is Père Lachaise Cemetery famous?
It’s the most visited cemetery in the world - known for its famous graves, romantic alleys, dramatic sculptures, and historical depth.
When was Père Lachaise Cemetery created?
The cemetery was established in 1804 by order of Napoleon Bonaparte to allow equal burial rights for all citizens.
Is Père Lachaise free to enter?
Yes, entrance to the cemetery is completely free and open to the public daily.
Where is Jim Morrison buried?
Jim Morrison’s grave is located in Division 6. It’s one of the most visited (and hard to find!) spots in the cemetery.
Can I visit Oscar Wilde’s grave?
Yes - it’s in Division 89, behind protective glass, and part of our audio tour. Fans used to kiss the stone, which led to years of restoration work.
Are maps available at Père Lachaise?
Paper maps are available at entrances, but they’re often outdated or confusing. Our digital guide includes a built-in interactive map with GPS.
What’s the best way to visit Père Lachaise?
Start from Gambetta entrance and follow a self-guided tour to see the highlights downhill. It’s the easiest and most complete route.
Are guided tours available at Père Lachaise?
Yes - both live tours and self-guided audio tours are available. Ours works offline and is available in 8 languages.
How long should I plan for a visit?
We recommend at least 1.5 to 2 hours to enjoy the most important stops and atmosphere without rushing.
Is the audio guide available offline?
Yes. Once downloaded, the tour works 100% offline - no Wi-Fi or data required during your visit.