Paris: Père Lachaise Cemetery Walking Tour & Famous Graves

Summary

Stories of love, loss & music among the tombs of Paris

You’ll wander stony paths beneath ancient trees at Père Lachaise Cemetery with a local guide, hearing stories of Paris’s most famous artists and lovers. Expect laughter by Oscar Wilde’s lipstick-marked tomb, quiet moments at Jim Morrison’s grave, and unexpected details only locals share. This is where history feels personal—and you might leave changed.

What’s the experience like?

We were already weaving between the mossy stones when our guide, Camille, paused by a crooked angel statue and told us how Edith Piaf used to sneak in after hours. I could smell wet leaves and old stone—there’s something about cemeteries in Paris that makes you whisper without meaning to. Someone behind me muttered “wow” under their breath when we saw Chopin’s grave, all covered in fresh flowers even though it was early morning. I guess people still come here just to say thanks.

I didn’t expect to laugh as much as we did. Camille had this way of making even the most tragic stories feel close—she joked about Oscar Wilde’s lipstick-covered tomb (“the French can’t resist a kiss”) and pointed out the little pebbles left on Gertrude Stein’s grave by visitors. The paths twist everywhere, so I kept losing my sense of direction, but that felt right somehow. Every turn brought another name I recognized from books or old records. Jim Morrison’s spot was quieter than I thought it’d be; there was a single cigarette tucked into the fence and someone had left a note in Spanish.

The whole day trip to Père Lachaise from central Paris only took a couple of hours, but it felt like stepping into another world for a while. We ended near the Philippe Auguste metro stop, blinking back into city noise after all that silence and history. I still think about those stories—how love and art just linger here longer than anywhere else.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Guided walking tour of Père Lachaise Cemetery

• Meet at Alexandre Dumas metro station
• Enter Père Lachaise Cemetery
• Hear about famous artists and writers
• Wander labyrinth of graves and paths
• Visit tombs of notable figures
• Learn tragic and historic stories
• Conclude tour at Porte du Rèpos

Top questions

How long is the Père Lachaise Cemetery walking tour?

The guided tour lasts approximately 2 hours from start to finish.

Which famous graves are included on the tour?

You’ll visit graves of Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, Chopin, Edith Piaf, Gertrude Stein, Colette, and more.

Where does the Père Lachaise tour start?

The meeting point is at Alexandre Dumas metro station in Paris.

Is this tour suitable for all fitness levels?

Yes, the walking tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The tour runs only in English according to current information.

Does the tour include entry fees or tickets?

Père Lachaise Cemetery has free public access; your booking covers guided narration throughout.

Is public transportation nearby for this cemetery tour?

Yes, both Alexandre Dumas (start) and Philippe Auguste (end) metro stations are close to the cemetery entrances.

What’s included

Your day includes a small-group walking tour through Père Lachaise Cemetery with an English-speaking guide who shares stories behind famous graves like Jim Morrison and Oscar Wilde; meet at Alexandre Dumas metro station and finish near Philippe Auguste metro stop—public transport options are nearby for easy return.