A cemetery may not sound like a cool place to go, or a fun thing to do on vacation, but the Pere Lachaise Cemetery in Paris, France is a remarkable experience in many ways.

In the early years, Pere Lachaise was much like the typical frontier towns of Midwest America. Outlaws and criminals filled the winding streets, but in time it would become a hot spot for the wealthy and influential. During the reign of King Louis XIV, the head of the king's bodyguards had a home here, and the streets were often consumed by his favorite past time--throwing lavish parties.

It wasn't until after the revolution that plans were made to turn the former party central into a last resting place for the citizens of the constantly growing city. Originally intended as a new resting place for those unfortunate souls already buried within the city limits (Parisians were afraid of sickness and soured by the scent of inner city cemeteries), Pere Lachaise wasn't officially opened as a cemetery until 1804. Developer Nicolas Frochot managed to convince authorities to move many luminaries, including Paris theater legend Molière, to his cemetery, and attracted the attention, and devotion, of the rich and famous around France. The theme of celebrity has continued, and today the more than 70, 000 residents of Pere Lachaise receive approximately 2 million visitors annually.

Why would anyone want to visit the burial site of thousands of strangers? Part of the attraction comes from the centuries of laying famous people from around the world to rest. One of the more popular sights is the monument to American counter culture legend Jim Morrison who, despite rumors of being removed from the grounds due to an expired lease, remains quite content with his visitors and their annual tributes. The oldest identifiable remains date back to the 12th century. Another part comes from the sheer spectacle of the many monuments. Pere Lachaise has become a museum and garden of sorts, showcasing some of the finest sculpture in the country's history.