The cemetery in eastern Paris commonly referred to as “Père-Lachaise cemetery” is the city’s most prestigious and most widely-visited. To date, one million people have been buried there, and it is visited by more than two million people annually.

 its tombs bear the names of major figures from the worlds of literature, theatre and music.

Enclosed by a massive wall and lined with 5,000 trees, the peaceful, car-free lanes and dirt paths of Père Lachaise cemetery (Cimetière du Père Lachaise) encourage parklike meandering. Named for Father (Père) La Chaise, whose job was listening to Louis XIV's sins, the cemetery is relatively new, having opened in 1804 to accommodate Paris' expansion. Today, this city of the dead (pop. 70,000) still accepts new residents, but real estate prices are very high.

The 100-acre cemetery is big and confusing, with thousands of graves and tombs crammed every which way, and only a few pedestrian pathways to navigate by. The maps available from any of the nearby florists help guide your way.