Photo : Monument à la mémoire des enfants juifs déportés de France © Mémorial de la Shoah
Your memory is their only grave: the monuments of Père-Lachaise
Hidden behind the ornate tombs of famous icons lie somber monuments dedicated to the victims of forgotten genocides. Take a reflective walk through this labyrinth of history to explore the profound art of collective memory and commemoration.
Mémorial de la Shoah (Paris 4th)
About
Join us on November 8, 2026, for a guided exploration titled Your Memory Is Their Only Grave, focusing on the monuments of Père-Lachaise Cemetery. During this two-hour session, you will examine how we commemorate victims of genocide and crimes against humanity, reflecting on the challenges of collective memory when physical burial sites are absent. This tour is free of charge and open to attendees aged 12 and older, offering a thoughtful perspective on hidden memorials. Fully accessible to wheelchair users, this event provides a unique opportunity to engage with history in a meaningful way. Please note that booking in advance is mandatory to secure your attendance.
A peaceful place, it is also the guardian of the final resting place of the victims of genocides and crimes against humanity. How can we pay tribute to the deceased without a grave? How can we think about absence? Through the discovery of these hidden places of memory, we will be invited to reflect on their design and the concept of collective memory.
Duration: 2 hours.
Meeting point indicated a few days before the tour.
Our take on this event
On Sunday, November 8, 2026, the Shoah Memorial invites you to a two-hour tour through Père-Lachaise Cemetery. From 11:00 to 13:00, this visit explores how this peaceful site serves as a guardian for the memory of those who were victims of genocide and crimes against humanity. It raises fundamental questions about how we honor the dead when no traditional grave exists.
Participants, aged 12 and over, will discover hidden monuments and discuss the purpose of collective remembrance. The route is wheelchair accessible, ensuring that the experience remains inclusive.
Although the event is free, reservation is required. The specific meeting point for the tour will be provided to registered participants a few days before the event. Make sure to book your spot to participate in this profound historical reflection in the heart of Paris.
