Verdant Revival: Pere Lachaise cemetery embraces nature's embrace

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

Pere Lachaise cemetery, a final resting place for numerous celebrities, is reopening its gates to visitors following years of pandemic-related restrictions. The cemetery, home to the graves of icons like Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, Edith Piaf, and Frederic Chopin, offers a tranquil haven with a touch of nature that offers respite from the summer sun. With the return of sunny Parisian weather, tourists are streaming back to the cemetery, finding joy in wandering among the tombstones and grassy pathways.

The serene atmosphere is revitalizing the cemetery's usual daily average of 7,000 visitors. While most tourists are engrossed in their maps, locating specific graves, keen observers have noticed a distinct change: the cemetery has become significantly greener since the pandemic's onset, when visitors were restricted. The cemetery authorities, led by curator Benoit Gallot since 2018, have initiated a notable initiative to restore the natural balance of the site.

This endeavor has led to the growth of dandelions, wild orchids, and clover alongside the headstones and cobblestone paths. Areas once covered in gravel now boast patches of lush lawns. «There's now a lot more nature, more foliage and wild plants on the paths,» remarked Florence Masson, 44, during her first visit in two decades.

Gallot appreciates the slightly unruly appearance, as it captures the essence of the cemetery. In 2020, Gallot's social media fame surged when a family of foxes was discovered living within the Pere Lachaise grounds. Gallot highlights the significance of each added square meter of greenery, as the plants offer a cooling effect on hot days.