The East Chapel
This point of interest is available as audio on the tour: Visit Paris, Père Lachaise : The Cemetery of the East
In front of you stands the East Chapel, a memorial dedicated to the victims of the 1871 Paris Repression. At just 14 metres long and 12 metres high, it’s not particularly striking, and some say it’s rather austere. Inside, you’ll find a modest space, used for religious ceremonies such as funerals and commemorations. The chapel is only open to the public on All Saints’ Day and Day of the Dead. It belongs to the parish of Saint-Germain de Charonne, and honours the insurgents who died against the Versailles troops. Just like the rest of the Père Lachaise Cemetery, it’s a significant place of remembrance and reflection. If you continue down Avenue Saint Morys, you’ll arrive at Victor Schœlcher’s tomb. Today, his name still echoes through France’s overseas territories. This 19th-century French journalist and politician is best known for his leading role in the abolition of slavery in France. He was also elected deputy for both Martinique and Guadeloupe, which are overseas departments of France located in the Caribbean and hold the same political status as regions in mainland France. During his youth, he travelled to the Caribbean, visiting Cuba as a representative of his family’s business. There, he was appalled by the reality of slavery. For him, it was a moral outrage that had to end. As a journalist, he used his career to expose and condemn the horrors of slavery. Among his most famous works is the book “On the Slavery of Black People and Colonial Legislation”—a title that speaks for itself. Schœlcher dedicated his life to human rights and social justice, making him a significant figure in French history. Let’s move on to the right of the chapel, to find the Thiers Monument. This is the tomb of politician and historian Adolphe Thiers. Known for his determination, he was a well-known anticlerical journalist and liberal patriot. He played a key role in the 1830 July Revolution, held office as a deputy, then as a minister, before being elected President of the Council twice. Quite the political journey.
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