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Opening Times
November to mid-March:
8:00 am – 5:30 pm Monday to Friday
8:30 am – 5:30 pm on Saturdays
9:00 am – 5:30 pm on Sundays and public holidays
Mid-March to October:
8:00 am – 6:00 pm Monday to Friday
8:30 am – 6:00 pm on Saturdays
9:00 am – 6:00 pm on Sundays and public holidays
Please note: last admission is 15 minutes before closing time.
Admission is free.
The 5 entrances to the cemetery
Père-Lachaise Cemetery, located in Paris’s 20th arrondissement, can be accessed through five distinct entrances. Each has its own characteristics in terms of accessibility and proximity to public transportation. Here’s an interactive map to help you choose the most suitable entrance for your visit:
1. Main Entrance (Boulevard de Ménilmontant)
Access type: Pedestrians and vehicles.
Approximate address: Located on Boulevard de Ménilmontant, opposite Rue de la Roquette.
Public transportation:
- Metro Philippe Auguste (line 2).
- Bus 61, 69.
Highlights: This is the most imposing entrance to the cemetery. It features a monumental neoclassical gate designed by architect Étienne-Hippolyte Godde, inaugurated in 1825. The gate is adorned with winged hourglasses, torches, and floral garlands, and is closed by a heavy double-leaf door. Two biblical inscriptions in Latin are engraved: Left pillar: “Sapientia vincit malitiam” (Wisdom prevails over malice) and Right pillar: “Ego sum resurrectio et vita” (I am the resurrection and the life).
Accessibility: Vehicle access available.
2. Porte du Repos (16 rue du Repos)
Access type: Pedestrians.
Address: 16 rue du Repos, 75020 Paris.
Public transportation:
- Metro Philippe Auguste (line 2).
Highlights: This entrance leads directly to the cemetery’s administrative office, located about 20 meters to the left. It is also the cemetery’s official mailing address.
Accessibility: Step-free entrance, suitable for visitors with reduced mobility.
3. Porte des Amandiers (Boulevard de Ménilmontant)
Access type: Pedestrians (with stairs).
Approximate address: Located on Boulevard de Ménilmontant, opposite Père Lachaise metro station.
Public transportation:
- Metro Père-Lachaise (lines 2 and 3).
- Bus 61, 69.
Highlights: This entrance features Doric pilasters and a pediment, opening onto a staircase of about thirty steps.
Accessibility: Due to the stairs, this entrance is less suitable for visitors with reduced mobility.
4. Porte Gambetta (Rue des Rondeaux)
Access type: Pedestrians and vehicles.
Approximate address: Located on Rue des Rondeaux, opposite Avenue du Père-Lachaise.
Public transportation:
- Metro Gambetta (lines 3 and 3bis).
- Bus 26, 60, 61, 69, 102.
Highlights: This is the closest entrance to the cemetery’s crematorium-columbarium.
Accessibility: Vehicle access available.
5. Porte de la Réunion (131 rue de la Réunion)
Access type: Pedestrians (with stairs).
Address: 131 rue de la Réunion, 75020 Paris.
Public transportation:
- Metro Alexandre Dumas (line 2)
- Bus 76.
Highlights: Access to the cemetery from this entrance is via a staircase.
Accessibility: Due to the stairs, this entrance is less suitable for visitors with reduced mobility.
Accessibility at Père Lachaise Cemetery
Père Lachaise Cemetery, with its 44 hectares of winding paths and historic tombs, offers a unique experience for visitors. While many main avenues are paved and relatively flat, some areas feature uneven cobblestones and steep inclines, which may pose challenges for those with mobility issues. Visitors using wheelchairs or strollers are advised to enter via the Porte du Repos (16 Rue du Repos), which provides step-free access and is closest to the administrative office. For a more accessible route, consider entering through the Porte Gambetta and proceeding downhill towards the main entrance, as this path offers a gentler slope. It’s recommended to wear comfortable footwear and allow ample time to navigate the expansive grounds.
Visitor Guidelines and Prohibited Activities
As an active burial site and place of remembrance, Père Lachaise Cemetery maintains certain rules to preserve its solemn atmosphere:
- Silence and Respect: Please maintain a quiet environment to honor those interred and fellow visitors.
- Prohibited Items and Activities:
- Consumption of alcohol and picnicking within the cemetery grounds.
- Use of sound equipment or musical instruments, unless previously authorized.
- Feeding animals or leaving food, except by special arrangement.
- Bringing dogs, even on a leash.
- Using bicycles, scooters, or similar devices, even if not ridden.
- Engaging in sports activities, such as jogging or running.
- Photography: Personal photography is permitted; however, please avoid using tripods or other professional equipment without prior authorization.
- Stay on Designated Paths: To protect the integrity of the gravesites and for your safety, please remain on the established walkways.
- Facilities: Public restrooms are available near the main entrance on Boulevard de Ménilmontant and by the Porte Gambetta entrance.
By adhering to these guidelines, visitors contribute to the preservation of this historic site and ensure a respectful experience for all.
✅ For a DETAILED MAP of Père Lachaise Cemetery, including the locations of notable graves and accessible routes, you can purchase one on Amazon.
Cycle stations
Station n°20131: 41 rue du repos
Station n°20030: 52 boulevard de Ménilmontant
Station n°20010 : 46 rue Sorbier
Station n°20024 : 11 rue Malte-Brun
Station n°20106 : 46 avenue Gambetta
Station n°20015 : 44 bis rue de Bagnolet
Station n°11021 : 212 boulevard de Charonne
Station n°11110 : 52 rue de la Folie Regnault