Dead famous: Paris puts heritage graves up for grabs

For many decades, the idea of being laid to rest alongside some of Paris’s most celebrated cultural figures has felt nearly impossible for ordinary residents. The iconic Père-Lachaise cemetery, home to the grave of Jim Morrison of The Doors, and the Montparnasse cemetery, where the writer and philosopher Simone de Beauvoir rests, have long been admired not only as burial grounds but as historic landmarks that draw millions of visitors every year. However, both cemeteries, along with the Montmartre cemetery, have been effectively full since the early 20th century, leaving very few opportunities for new burials.

This year, however, the city of Paris has launched an unusual initiative that could offer locals the rare chance for a final resting place in one of these storied locations. The municipality has opened a special lottery, offering residents the possibility to acquire abandoned heritage graves—under one important condition: the winners must commit to restoring the gravesites at their own expense.

Thirty monuments in total are being offered, divided among the three cemeteries: ten in Père-Lachaise, ten in Montparnasse, and ten in Montmartre. According to Paul Simondon, the deputy mayor responsible for funeral affairs, interest has been immediate and enthusiastic. “Within the first 24 hours, we received around 1,000 clicks on the application forms,” he told AFP.

To ensure that applicants are fully aware of the financial responsibilities involved, the city requires them to provide quotes from certified stonemasons before being considered for selection. This requirement is meant to prevent any misunderstanding regarding the cost and complexity of restoring the old monuments. Should a buyer fail to complete the restoration work or meet the terms of purchase, the sale will be canceled, and the individual risks losing the investment they have already made, city officials cautioned.

Simondon described the initiative as an opportunity for families to consider, perhaps for the first time in generations, the possibility of securing burial space in central Paris. Beyond the practical benefit, he noted that the project also reflects an ecological and cultural purpose: reusing burial plots helps preserve historical heritage while reducing the need for new land or construction.

For now, the lottery is being run as a pilot program, but if successful, city officials say it could be expanded to include more historic graves in the future.