One Hour Père Lachaise Cemetery: A Self-guided Audio Tour

Key Points

• Affordable and convenient: Priced at $8.99 per person with lifetime access, allowing flexible exploration.
• Short but rich experience: Designed to last about one hour, perfect for a quick yet engaging visit.
• Guided by a local voice: The VoiceMap app uses GPS-triggered audio and theatrical storytelling by The Chairfather.
• Major graves included: Highlights include Oscar Wilde, Edith Piaf, Modigliani, Sarah Bernhardt, and Yves Montand.
• Not a comprehensive tour: Some reviews note that important graves, such as Chopin, are not included.
• Ideal for tech-savvy visitors: Requires a smartphone, offline access, and self-navigation—no physical guide needed.

Exploring Père Lachaise with the Self-Guided Audio Tour

The One Hour Père Lachaise Cemetery tour is a budget-friendly way to experience one of the world’s most visited cemeteries in about 60 minutes. Priced at $8.99 per person, this tour offers the convenience of lifetime access via the VoiceMap app, making it easy to explore offline at your own pace. It’s especially suited for those who want a guided experience without the crowds or the expense of a full in-person tour.

This tour takes place at the Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris, covering one-third of its 44 hectares. Starting at 56 Rue des Rondeaux, it guides you through famous graves and memorials, with stories narrated by The Chairfather, a local author with theatrical storytelling flair. The tour is designed to be fun and engaging, using sound effects, music clips, and humorous gags to bring the past vividly to life.

From the Meeting Point to the First Grave

Starting at 56 Rue des Rondeaux, the tour begins by leading visitors through a set route that covers key resting places of notable personalities. The guided audio plays automatically via GPS, ensuring you visit each stop at the right moment without needing to check your phone constantly. While the route is set, some users report that initial instructions and navigation can be a bit confusing, so paying close attention to the downloaded instructions helps.

The route includes about one-third of the cemetery’s area, focusing on famous graves and hidden monuments. For example, you encounter the resting places of Oscar Wilde, Edith Piaf, Modigliani, Sarah Bernhardt, and Yves Montand. The narration discusses their lives, love stories, and political intrigues, adding a theatrical touch that makes the stories more vivid.

Notable Graves and Stories Included in the Tour

The tour highlights fifteen personalities, including Ettore Bugatti, Henri Salvador, Anna de Noailles, and the Carton family. Visitors will find the stories of forbidden love, political intrigue, and sex woven into the narration. Graves of Victor Noir and Stéphane Grappelli add to the cultural richness, along with monuments to Holocaust victims that some reviews mention as missing from the tour.

While the tour covers many famous figures, some reviews note that important graves like Chopin’s are not included and that certain memorials are skipped, suggesting that advance research or a map can supplement the experience. The route intentionally skips some graves, such as Jim Morrison’s, which requires visitors to visit separately if they are interested in specific individuals.

The Theatrical and Entertaining Voice of The Chairfather

A key feature of this tour is The Chairfather’s storytelling style. The narration combines theatrical representations, citations, and sound effects to create an entertaining and lively experience. The stories are full of humor and touching details, making history feel vivid and accessible. Reviewers describe the commentary as engaging, rich with detail, and sprinkled with humorous asides.

This storytelling approach makes the tour more dynamic than a plain audio guide, with music clips and surprises that keep the experience light and fun. However, some users find that directions can be delivered too quickly, leading to occasional difficulty in locating graves like Sarah Bernhardt’s.

Practicalities of Using the Tour

The tour starts at 12:00 AM and runs until 11:59 PM, offering flexibility to fit into most schedules. Since it is self-guided, it requires no transportation, tickets, or in-person guides. Most travelers will find the downloadable audio, maps, and geodata sufficient for navigation, although some reviews suggest that having a basic map could improve the experience.

The meeting point is accessible via public transportation and the activity is private, meaning only your group participates. It’s suitable for most travelers, including those with service animals, but does not include entrance fees to other attractions or museums.

Pacing, Navigation, and User Experience

Most reviews praise the GPS-guided navigation for allowing a fun and flexible stroll through the cemetery. The audio plays automatically at each stop, enabling a self-paced experience. Some users mention that directions are sometimes too fast, making it tricky to locate certain graves, especially Sarah Bernhardt.

The initial setup involves downloading instructions and entering a redemption code, but some reviews note that finding the start point can cause initial confusion. Overall, once underway, the tour offers a smooth, enjoyable walk with informative and humorous commentary.

Limitations and Areas for Improvement

While many find this tour value-packed and entertaining, others mention that the content can be superficial, with some important graves omitted. Holocaust memorials are notably absent from the tour, which some users find disappointing given the cemetery’s historical significance.

A few reviews suggest that visual aids, such as a simple map, could make navigation easier, especially for visitors unfamiliar with the cemetery’s layout. The set route means that some graves might be missed entirely, so preparing by researching graves online can help craft a more complete visit.

Who Will Love This Tour?

This self-guided audio tour is perfect for tech-savvy visitors who want a cost-effective, flexible way to explore Père Lachaise. Those interested in famous personalities like Edith Piaf, Oscar Wilde, and Modigliani will enjoy the engaging stories and theatrical narration.

It’s also well-suited for short visits or those who prefer walking at their own pace, avoiding the crowds and expense of guided tours. However, history buffs seeking a comprehensive, detailed account may prefer to supplement this tour with additional research or local maps.

Final Thoughts on the Père Lachaise Self-Guided Tour

The One Hour Père Lachaise Cemetery offers a budget-friendly, engaging way to experience a vast cemetery filled with stories and history. While it does not cover every notable grave and sometimes delivers directions too quickly, its theatrical narration and GPS-guided route make for a fun, memorable walk.

Most visitors will appreciate the easy-to-use app, the flexibility of timing, and the entertainment value of The Chairfather’s storytelling. It’s best suited for those who want a light yet informative introduction to Père Lachaise, especially if they are comfortable with self-navigation and using their smartphone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this tour suitable for all ages?
Yes, the tour is suitable for most travelers, including those with service animals. It’s easy to follow and self-paced, making it accessible for many.

Do I need a smartphone or special equipment?
Yes, a smartphone with offline access to the VoiceMap app is required. The app provides audio, maps, and geodata without internet.

How long does the tour last?
The estimated duration is about one hour, but since it’s self-guided, visitors can pause or extend their exploration as desired.

Are all the graves included in the tour?
No, some notable graves like Chopin are not part of the set route. The tour covers about one-third of the cemetery and highlights many key personalities.

Is it easy to find the starting point?
The tour starts at 56 Rue des Rondeaux, with instructions provided after purchase. Some reviews mention initial confusion, so paying close attention to downloaded directions helps.

Can I do this tour offline?
Yes, the VoiceMap app allows offline access to audio, maps, and geodata once downloaded, making it ideal for mobile use during the visit.

What if I want to visit specific graves not included?
Since the route skips some graves of interest, it’s recommended to research additional graves online and visit them separately.

Is this tour worth the price?
At $8.99, it offers good value with lifetime access and a fun, theatrical narration. Reviews highlight its entertainment and educational aspects.

Are there any other attractions included?
No, the tour does not include access to other museums or attractions, nor transportation or food. It’s a focused cemetery walk.

Can I cancel or change the booking?
This experience is non-refundable and cannot be altered after purchase, so plan accordingly to ensure it fits your schedule.

Would you recommend this tour?
Yes, especially for those wanting a self-paced, affordable, and entertaining way to learn about Père Lachaise’s most famous graves. However, supplement with further research if a more detailed exploration is desired.