A Unique Opportunity to Be Buried Among Legends
Paris, known for its rich cultural heritage and iconic landmarks, has introduced a novel initiative that allows residents the chance to be laid to rest among some of the most celebrated figures in history. This unique lottery offers Parisians the opportunity to own a burial plot near famous names such as Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, Simone de Beauvoir, and Édith Piaf.
The initiative involves ten abandoned heritage graves in each of the city’s historic cemeteries: Père-Lachaise, Montmartre, and Montparnasse. These graves are being raffled as part of a plan aimed at restoring 30 tombs that have fallen into disrepair. According to the Paris council, this scheme represents a balance between honoring the deceased and providing locals with a chance to be buried within the city limits.
Restoring History with Responsibility
Cemeteries within the city walls have been nearly full since the early 20th century. The process of clearing abandoned tombs has been complicated by local regulations, making it difficult to manage the space effectively. However, the recent interest from cemetery visitors across France in restoring historic funerary monuments has led to this innovative approach.
Under the new conditions, lottery winners must restore the ancient funerary monument they acquire within six months. The restored design must remain faithful to the original. Once the monument is restored, the winner can then obtain a burial spot located close to the famous names.
Candidates are required to provide quotes from specialized stonemasons to demonstrate their understanding of the renovation costs. This ensures there are no unexpected expenses during the restoration process. Paul Simondon, a deputy to Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo, emphasized the importance of this step.
If the restoration and purchase conditions are not met, the sale of the monument is canceled, and the buyer loses their investment. Authorities have warned that this is a serious commitment.
Costs and Commitments
The financial aspect of this initiative is significant. Each existing tomb will be available for purchase at €4,000, plus additional restoration costs. Burial plots can be leased for a fixed term or in perpetuity. The leasing options include:
- A 10-year lease costing €976.
- A 30-year lease costing €3,354.
- A 50-year lease costing €5,260.
- A perpetual lease costing €17,668.
Despite these hefty price tags, the response from Parisians has been overwhelming. Within the first 24 hours of the application opening, there were over 1,000 clicks on the application forms, according to Simondon.
A Chance to Be Remembered Among Icons
For anyone currently living in Paris, this initiative presents a unique opportunity. Applications are open only to residents of the French capital, and they are accepted until 31 December. All Parisians need to do is select which cemetery they wish to be associated with.
Père-Lachaise Cemetery is home to some of the most famous names in history, including Jim Morrison, Sarah Bernhardt, Molière, Oscar Wilde, and Édith Piaf. Montparnasse Cemetery houses notable figures like Charles Baudelaire, Serge Gainsbourg, Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, Susan Sontag, and Agnès Varda. Meanwhile, Montmartre Cemetery offers the chance to be near Edgar Degas, Henri-Georges Clouzot, Alexandre Dumas, François Truffaut, and Émile Zola.
The 30 winners of this lottery will be announced in January 2026, marking the beginning of a new chapter for those who wish to be remembered among the legends of Paris.
