Paris Opens a Lottery for Burial Plots in Its Iconic Artists’ Cemetery
Paris has always been a place where art and memory sit side by side, and now the city is offering residents an unusual chance to share space with the legends who shaped its cultural story. A new cemetery lottery gives locals the possibility of securing a burial plot near icons such as Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, and Edith Piaf.
A Unique Blend of Heritage and Opportunity
The City Council has approved a major restoration effort for the historic cemeteries of Père-Lachaise, Montparnasse, and Montmartre. With space dwindling, the new lottery serves two purposes—preserving cultural heritage while giving Parisians a rare chance to be laid to rest among the artists and writers who helped define the city.
Under the initiative, ten aging gravestones at each cemetery will be restored and resold for €4,000 (around $4,250). The winners must commit to restoring the chosen monument and then acquiring a burial plot nearby. The council describes the program as a “balance between honoring the past and offering new life to the city’s resting places.”
Preserving the City’s Artistic Soul
Instagram | @thewanderingengineer | The lottery offers a solution for restoring Paris’s unremovable historic graves.
For decades, the upkeep of Parisian gravestones has rested with families, not the government. Over time, some graves fell into neglect, yet removing them is nearly impossible because these cemeteries are protected heritage sites. The lottery offers a creative solution, restore what once was, and keep history alive.
The program also reflects a practical challenge. Parisian cemeteries have been near full capacity since the early 20th century. Through this scheme, residents have a rare shot at burial within city limits while helping maintain one of Paris’s most treasured landmarks.
Resting Among Greats
The three participating cemeteries are more than burial grounds; they’re open-air museums of art and culture.
Père-Lachaise, perhaps the most famous, holds the remains of Jim Morrison, Edith Piaf, Oscar Wilde, Marcel Proust, and composer Frédéric Chopin. Montparnasse houses philosophers Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir, along with writer Samuel Beckett and musician Serge Gainsbourg. Montmartre is the final home of painter Edgar Degas, writer Émile Zola, and French filmmaker François Truffaut.
None of these iconic tombs is part of the lottery, of course. The available gravestones, many with weathered inscriptions, date back to the 19th century. Still, the symbolic value of resting near such legends is undeniable.
The Cost of a Legacy
Instagram | @thewanderingengineer | Blending heritage with modern needs, Paris celebrates art and history in new burial initiatives.
The council has limited participation to current Paris residents, and because of high demand, the process will be decided by lottery. The drawing is set for January. Winners will need to restore their chosen monument within six months and secure a nearby burial lease.
Leases range from €976 for 10 years to €5,260 for 50 years. Those seeking a permanent resting place can pay €17,668 for perpetuity. Failure to meet the restoration or purchase terms will void the agreement, ensuring only those committed to preservation move forward.
This initiative reflects Paris’s ongoing effort to blend heritage with modern urban needs. It’s not just about creating more burial space; it’s about celebrating art, history, and continuity. By linking the living with the legacies of cultural greats, the city ensures that its creative spirit continues long after the last brushstroke, lyric, or poem has faded.