Paris cemetery holds lottery for space near Jim Morrison and Chopin

Paris Cemetery Holds Lottery for Space Near Jim Morrison and Chopin

In Paris, admiration for cultural icons has reached new depths—literally. The famous Père Lachaise cemetery, home to legends like Jim Morrison of The Doors, writer Oscar Wilde, mime Marcel Marceau, and composer Frédéric Chopin, is offering enthusiasts a rare opportunity to rest beside their idols.

The organization overseeing the cemetery announced that a limited number of plots are available not only at Père Lachaise but also at other historic burial grounds, including Montparnasse—where Jean-Paul Sartre and former French President Jacques Chirac are buried—and Montmartre, final resting place of impressionist painter Edgar Degas and executioner Charles-Henri Sanson, known for executing Louis XVI.

Lottery for Restoration and Burial Rights

Thirty neglected gravestones across these cemeteries are now for sale at around €4,000 (approximately $4,500). Buyers must commit to restoring the damaged monuments and are then allowed to purchase the adjacent burial plot.

“Due to overwhelming demand, officials plan to run the sale as a lottery,” authorities explained. “The drawing will be held in January.”

City officials describe this initiative as a respectful solution that maintains the dignity of the deceased while offering Parisians the rare chance of eternal rest within city limits, where burial spaces have nearly vanished.

Legacy and Demand

Père Lachaise has long attracted visitors and fans seeking connection with their artistic heroes. This new program turns that devotion into an unusual opportunity—one that merges preservation, prestige, and public fascination with fame.

Author’s summary: Paris cemeteries now give admirers a chance to rest beside famous figures like Jim Morrison and Chopin through a lottery that funds monument restoration.

Quartz — 2025-11-06