Friday, June 13, 2014

Paris A-Z: J is for Jim Morrison's Grave

Paris A to Z: J is for Jim Morrison's Grave
Photo credit: Terrazzo

The Sassy Guide to the City of Light


As an American living in Paris for nearly 9 years, I have plenty of words of wisdom to share about this glorious, yet sometimes frustrating, city. Each weekday this month I will share my thoughts on some of the best stuff to do in Paris. Today's letter, J, is for Jim Morrison's Grave.

Touristy as it may be, I still recommend a visit to the Père Lachaise Cemetery, not only to see the famed Doors frontman's tomb, but because it's a truly Parisian experience. The cemetery is quite lovely, which is not a word you'd normally use to describe a cemetery. It has little "streets" that even have names, and each resident has an "address". The style is very different from American cemeteries (with the exception of New Orleans, which took its style from - you guessed it - the French).

You can purchase a map or just wander around. Either way, you're likely to come across the final resting places of many other well-known people who were born in Paris, lived in Paris, or died in Paris (the criteria to be buried there). Some notable names: Oscar Wilde, Chopin, Marcel Marceau, and Edith Piaf.

Check out the full series:
Paris A to Z: A is for Pont Alexandre III
Paris A to Z: B is for Boulangerie
Paris A to Z: C is for Chateau de Vincennes
Paris A to Z: D is for Drinks
Paris A to Z: E is for Eiffel Tower
Paris A to Z: F is for Fondue
Paris A to Z: G is for La Grande Epicerie
Paris A to Z: H is for Haussmann Architecture
Paris A to Z: I is for Ile St. Louis
Paris A to Z: J is for Jim Morrison's Grave
Paris A to Z: K is for Kir Royale
Paris A to Z: L is for The Long Hop
Paris A to Z: M is for Métro
Paris A to Z: N is for Notre Dame
Paris A to Z: O is for Musée d'Orsay
Paris A to Z: P is for Promenade Plantée
Paris A to Z: Q is for Quaint Shops
Paris A to Z: R is for Romance
Paris A to Z: S is for Sacre Coeur
Paris A to Z: T is for Trousseau
Paris A to Z: U is for Un Reve
Paris A to Z: V is for Vin
Paris A to Z: W is for Walking
Paris A to Z: X is for Expats
Paris A to Z: Y is for Court Yards
Paris A to Z: Z is for Zen in the City

Escape to Paris

Vicki Lesage, Author