A Tranquil Oasis: History of Père Lachaise
Opened in 1804, Père Lachaise Cemetery became the first garden cemetery and offered an escape from overcrowded Parisian churchyards. Its design, inspired by English gardens, transformed burial practices by prioritizing scenic beauty and remembrance over strictly religious observance. Initially unpopular, the cemetery’s prestige rose after prominent figures like Molière and La Fontaine were reinterred within its grounds, creating a trend of memorial tourism which persists to this day.