A unexpected gratifying sight, The Père-Lachaise Cemetery in Paris.
I visited The Père-Lachaise Cemetery in September last year, it significantly defied my expectations. Tucked away in northeastern Paris this hidden gem is bursting with beauty. The elaborate structure and curved shapes of the columbarium which is surrounded by an array of trees and vivid flowers is just one of the first sights you experience when you enter the gates.
Each avenue was hidden down a different winding path, filled with orange and red crunching leaves; the air was crisp and light. It was the perfect stroll, with the cemetery spreading over 110 acres its hard to stay on track.
The tombs speak for themselves, adjacent to each other. The compact environment reminded me of a close neighbourhood or community. Many with stained glass windows and awe-inspiring metal doors, the family names engraved onto the front. Such grand buildings which could make a jaw dropping impact stood alone let alone in mass.
The Plaques on the wall of the crematorium each individually numbered and personalised, the abundance alone leaves a lasting impact.
With the Cemetery being the biggest in Paris and the most visited in the world there is no surprise of the demand to be buried there. With the most expensive option for buying a plot coming in at around 16,000 euros, and the strict rules around having had to have lived or died in Paris. Combined with the ongoing waiting list, I think I can safely assume this place of vision is definetly out of my reach.