Historic Paris Cemeteries Open Lottery for Rare Burial Plots
Paris has launched an innovative lottery system that offers residents the chance to secure burial plots in three of the city's most iconic cemeteries: Père-Lachaise, Montparnasse, and Montmartre. This unprecedented initiative makes 30 heritage graves available through a raffle system, allowing ordinary Parisians the opportunity to rest eternally alongside cultural legends like Jim Morrison, Édith Piaf, Oscar Wilde, and Frédéric Chopin.
The Cemetery Space Crisis
The program addresses a critical shortage of burial space in Paris, where cemeteries within the city walls have been essentially full since the early 20th century. 'Many graves have fallen into disrepair because there are no longer family members to maintain them,' explains Paul Simondon, the deputy mayor responsible for funeral affairs. 'Due to their historical value as heritage sites, these graves cannot simply be cleared away.'
The situation at Père-Lachaise, which opened in 1804 and spans 44 hectares, is particularly acute. As the world's most visited necropolis with 3.5 million annual visitors, it contains approximately 30,000 monumental burial sites but has been unable to accommodate new burials for decades.
How the Lottery Works
For a 125 euro registration fee, Paris residents can enter the lottery until December 31, 2025. The city is offering 10 graves at each of the three historic cemeteries, with winners announced in January 2026. However, there's a significant catch: successful applicants must purchase and fully restore their chosen gravesite.
'This is essentially a test run,' Simondon told reporters. 'We're considering expanding the system if it proves successful. It's ecologically important that these funerary monuments be reused rather than left to decay.'
The Financial Reality
While the lottery entry fee is modest, the real costs come afterward. Winners must purchase the existing tomb for approximately 4,000 euros and then fund its complete restoration, which can cost thousands more. Additionally, burial rights must be acquired separately - 976 euros for a 10-year concession or approximately 18,000 euros for perpetual rights.
The response has been overwhelming, with the city receiving about 1,000 applications within the first 24 hours of the lottery's announcement. 'We've been inundated with interest,' a city official confirmed. 'People understand this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to become part of Parisian history.'
Preserving Cultural Heritage
The initiative represents a creative solution to multiple challenges: preserving deteriorating heritage sites, addressing burial space shortages, and maintaining the cultural significance of these historic cemeteries. Père-Lachaise alone contains the graves of numerous cultural icons, from musicians like Jim Morrison of The Doors and French chanteuse Édich Piaf to literary giants like Oscar Wilde and Marcel Proust.
Montparnasse Cemetery hosts philosophical power couple Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir, while Montmartre is the final resting place of singer Dalida and numerous artists. The program ensures these cultural landmarks continue to tell Paris's rich history while accommodating new generations.
The Paris city council unanimously approved the plan in April 2025, recognizing both the practical necessity and cultural importance of maintaining these historic sites. As one council member noted, 'This isn't just about burial space - it's about preserving our collective memory and ensuring these sacred spaces remain vibrant for centuries to come.'
For more information about the lottery and application process, visit the official Paris city website.