France Burial Lottery: Win a Chance to Rest Near Icons
Paris has launched a unique lottery allowing residents to secure burial plots beside legendary figures in iconic cemeteries such as Père-Lachaise, Montparnasse, and Montmartre. Each plot is valued at €4000.
Opportunity for Parisians
The initiative gives Parisians the rare chance to rest near historic personalities like Jim Morrison of The Doors, writer Oscar Wilde, and beloved French singer Édith Piaf. Due to limited space and high demand for burial sites, the city council decided to allocate spots through a lottery system.
How the Lottery Works
- Ten graves are offered in each of the three cemeteries.
- Participants must restore the chosen gravestones before gaining burial rights.
- Applications are open exclusively to Paris residents.
Costs and Conditions
The burial plot fees range from €976 for a 10-year term to €17,668 for a perpetual right. Winners who fail to restore or maintain their gravestones forfeit both their plot and deposit. The lottery winners will be selected by January 2026.
“There is a finite amount of burial land and an infinite amount of dead people.”
Notable Influence
Hollywood legend Marilyn Monroe, whose grave remains a site of global fascination, helped inspire this tradition of resting near cultural icons despite the controversies she faced during her life.
Author’s summary: Paris introduces a burial lottery letting residents bid for limited resting places beside cultural greats, combining history, exclusivity, and urban necessity.