Visiting Pere Lachaise Cemetery - maps & tours

Here is a map in PDF format (paper copies available at the cemetery entrances)

https://cdn.paris.fr/paris/2022/08/24/2cf3d51cf65c4c28e8f52bcd9b08de0d.pdf

And here is an interactive version:

https://pere-lachaise.plan-interactif.com/en/#

There is also an online list of famous people with quite a bit of information and showing the locations of their graves in the cemetery:

https://pere-lachaise.com/graves-and-celebrities-at-pere-lachaise-cemetery/

I see what you mean about the guides, but I can't help with that.

We did Pere Lachaise on our own with the maps linked above + some reading up. There's really no need for a tour. I will say that we spent considerable time there (it's BIG) and my DH finally threw in the towel and wandered off for a beer somewhere off the grounds while I finished up with the camera. Honestly, I don't know as there's much information you couldn't find by yourself, given so much has been written about it.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Père_Lachaise_Cemetery

We were on a mission to pay respects to Stéphane Grappelli, among others. Mission accomplished. :O)

I have used the official PDF map JoLui links. In the times I've visited I never saw maps available at the entrances so save this to your phone in case there are none available.

Rick Steves also has an audio guide and map of the cemetery which is pretty good but just takes you down one side of the area. Be sure to take your ear buds or whatever.

I also printed out his map so I was juggling the Official map which I'd printed out, Rick's map (there are slight differences) and trying to play the audio tour, watch my step on the uneven pavement and look around. Take your time!

I've always wanted to take the very occasionally offered Paris Walks walk of the cemetery as I know it would be by trained, quality guides. It looks like for now they are offering it on the 4th Wednesday of the month.

https://paris-walks.com/wa_res/files/2026_SEPTEMBER_WALKS.pdf?t=4eca3a8d_0e6c_4537_89a5_c642a0d2cefc

BTW, there are free and fairly nice bathroom facilities in the cemetery!

I prefer to do as Rick suggests and come in the Gambetta entrance and work my way downhill.

We visited Père LaChaise on a gray, drizzly day which set the perfect mood for a cemetery.

A shabbily dressed gentleman sidled up to us and began to show us around. He probably spent most of his days wandering through the cemetery and he really did know the location of about every grave and well as stories about the people buried there. He was a bum, of course, but heck - he was a bum just trying to hustle a few euros for his next meal or bottle of wine. We enjoyed our "tour", and tipped him a few euros and everybody was happy.

No, he wasn't an official tour guide, but we enjoyed the little extra local color and were happy with our impromptu tour.

(generally, we NEVER hire tour guides, because I prefer to wander and explore on my own, but sometimes like this it just happens!)

@StellaB - Your experience made me laugh out loud! It made me recall visiting Stonehenge in the early 80's before there was a big Visitor Center. This guy in an overcoat sidled up to us, opened his coat and had postcards and trinkets hung inside!

Thanks very much everyone for the very helpful information. You've given me everything I was hoping for including a truly excellent map which seems to show everything I could need, including the Pere Lachaise monument which I'm particularly wanting to see. And that once in a month English language guided tour, if I opt for it, is actually during my stay.