Cimetière du Père Lachaise

Closing time at Père Lachaise

does not mean a leisurely stroll to the exit... 

as the whistle bleats remind you.

(joyeux anniversaire, Alexa) 

Cimetière du Père Lachaise

75020, Paris

Tombant en ruines

In need of repair

but the ghosts are free

to come and go

What a beautiful tomb this 

once was

Père Lachaise

75020, Paris

L'or de septembre

September "gold"

There is something to look forward 

to with the changing of seasons

in Paris.

This is the first glimpse of gold.

It will be another month before the Ginko leaves turn.

Père Lachaise

75020, Paris

Allée d'arbres

A long row of trees

and dancing shadows

in Cimetière du Père Lachaise

(Joyeux anniversaire, Lisette!)

Cimetière du Père Lachaise

75020, Paris

Elle pleure

She cries

She has cried many times 

over the past century

for loss of innocent lives

She cried again 

on January 7, 2015

Cimetière du Père Lachaise

75020, Paris

Cimetière du Père Lachaise XIX

Cimetière du Père Lachaise

The sculpted paths in this old cemetery 

often feel like a rambling garden.  

In the summer, trees provide shade from the sun 

and the hilltop position lends itself to cool breezes.

Cimetière du Père Lachaise

75020, Paris

Cimetière du Père Lachaise

Père Lachaise Cemetery

Quiet walks, a few cats,

voices from the past,

and a cool spring breeze...

Cimetière du Père Lachaise

16, rue de Repos

75020, Paris

Père Lachaise en hiver

Père Lachaise

In summer these bare branches are filled 

with leaves making a canopy of shade from the heat and sun.  

In winter, the "tree bones" litter the narrow stone paths 

with a mosaic of shadows.

If you are a winter visitor, put Père Lachaise on your list.  

You can wander through the 110 acres 

and almost have the place to yourself, 

or you can get a map (here) and locate a specific grave.

The long shadows of winter will give you memorable photos.

le Cimetière du Père Lachaise

16, rue de Repos

75020, Paris

Père Lachaise - crossing

Crossing

Crossing the stone paths of Cimetière du Père Lachaise

perhaps a symbol for passing from this life to the next

Cimetière du Père Lachaise

75020, Paris

Joining the City Daily Photo Blogs

for April's Theme Day

"crossing"

Père Lachaise - la chouette et son ombre

A majestic tomb

Rising above most of the tombs in this area of the famed Père Lachaise, three mighty owls stand watch perched between stone garlands.  The crown supports a shield that surely identifies the family.  How could I have failed to note the name and the story.  Alas, a momentary lapse, but I will return for another look.  

The skies may never be this blue again

Cimetière du Père Lachaise

75020, Paris

 

Père Lachaise XII - les ombres

Père Lachaise

I have an affinity for photographing cemeteries and Cimetière du Père Lachaise is a favorite.  No matter the season, the weather, or the time of day, one finds interesting lines, reflections, shapes, and ghosts.   

Although one would think that a cemetery does not change from day to day,

 it is different on each visit.

 (No, I have not seen ghosts)

Cimetière du Père-Lachaise

Boulevard de Ménilmontant

75020, Paris

Métro Père Lachaise, or
Métro Phillippe Auguste