Preparing your visit to Père-Lachaise
Père-Lachaise cemetery is yours to explore freely, on foot, at your own pace. Before you push open its gates, here is what you need to know — and the ideal place to begin your audio-guided trails.
Before you set out Important
- Download the trail data in the app before you leave
- Charge your phone fully before the visit.
- Bring a power bank as a backup, if your phone's battery does not last long.
- Bringheadphones : the experience is far more immersive and comfortable with them.
What to take
- De Good shoes : the ground is often uneven and the cobbles can be slippery.
- A small folding umbrella , if the weather looks uncertain.
- A water bottle, essential in warm weather.
- A small snack for a pause halfway round.
- In summer, something to keep the sun off : a hat, sunglasses, a little sunscreen.
- A light bag to keep your hands free and take photographs at your ease.
Free admission and accessibility
Admission is free. Much of the cemetery is accessible to visitors with reduced mobility, though some sectors remain difficult, with steep or cobbled paths that are uneven in places. Wear comfortable shoes: Père-Lachaise is vast and hilly.
Opening hours
| Period | Mon – Fri | Saturday | Sun. & public holidays |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mid-March to October | 8am – 6pm | 8.30am – 6pm | 9am – 6pm |
| November to mid-March | 8am – 5.30pm | 8.30am – 5.30pm | 9am – 5.30pm |
How to get there
The cemetery lies in the 20th arrondissement of Paris. Its main gate opens onto boulevard de Ménilmontant, facing rue de la Roquette, and takes both pedestrians and vehicles. This is where the audio guide's trails begin.
Main gate — the starting point of your audio-guided trail. Once inside, the interactive map shows the 97 divisions and the graves worth seeing.
The rules, to protect the place
Père-Lachaise remains above all a place of remembrance. To respect its quiet, visitors may not:
- drink alcohol or picnic;
- feed the animals;
- bring dogs, even on a lead;
- ride bicycles or scooters, even wheeled by hand;
- take exercise, such as jogging.
Download the audio guide before you come: the moment you stand before a grave, its story begins to speak to you.
Buythe audio guidefrom€6.99