Plan to be in Paris Oct 31 and Nov 1. Since I am a big fan of Jim, plan to visit his grave at the "time the veil between living and dead is thinnist". Would appreciate any thoughts/experiences of others Doors fans who have done the visit...

Is he the guy that wrote that song that Jose Feliciano recorded?<BR>

OUCH... that's painful for a Doors fan... Robby Krieger (author) if you must know, but know that he didn't record it or make it comne alive, what music is all about....

I'm not a huge Doors fan (though I love the very first album). But I did visit his gravesite when I went to the Cimetiere du Pere Lachaise two years ago. Quite honestly, his simple gravestone is a disappointment compared to the rest of the cemetery, which is amazing. (I've heard that originally there was a bust of Morrison but it is now gone - can anyone verify?)<BR><BR>I can understand feeling sentimental at his grave, though, if you are such a big fan. Just don't expect a major visual. You'll find other Doors fans hanging around, though.<BR><BR>Do take some time at this huge cemetery and see some of the rest of it. Oscar Wilde's grave is really something - people still leave little notes to him and flowers.<BR><BR>Andrew<BR>

I visited Pere Lachaise as a backpacking college student in '83. Morrison's bust was still there at the time. Covered in faded multi-colored paint, it reminded me of a Deadhead's favorite old tie-tie. The graves neighboring were covered in grafiti (poor taste IMO).<BR><BR>A group of 4-5 were there, and someone was playing Morrison Hotel on a tape player. I recall listening to Peacefrog and thinking "I didn't see any palm trees in Venice." Of course when I returned home to California I realized that Jim was singing of their home base in Venice, CA.<BR><BR>A European woman broke out a lump of hash and proceeded to roll a large cigarette with Drum tobacco (1/4 pack or so!), sprinkled with hash and rolled in paper about 8 1/2 x 11". After it was passed around, a pair of cemetary guards came and escorted her away.<BR><BR>The grave was interesting, but even better was wandering into the far corners of Pere Lachaise, seeing the graves of Edith Piaf and others. The number of feral cats was astounding.

The cemetery is unbelievable-it is worth a visit-Jims grave okay-lots of tourists (fans) visiting it- also a security guard stands by. There are loads of famous persons buried there-get a map outside the cemetery and plan to get lost.

Pere Lachaise is definitely one of the great walks you can take in Paris. I've posted some notes and an October pic --(of the cemetary -- not Jim Morrison's grave)-- at:<BR><BR>http://www.igougo.com/planning/journalEntryActivity.asp?JournalID=3126&EntryID=50 54<BR><BR>Just scroll down to the bottom and click on the pic to enlarge. While there are very few "must-sees" in my style of travel, this cemetary is an experience that is very worthwhile.<BR><BR>"Show me -- the way -- to the next -- whisky bar"

Have been there many times and will try again in December. It is kinda pleasant to see the groups of people who gather there, sometimes under the watchful eyes of guards. However, I remember talk of his grave being moved to the states, I believe. But I don't know if it happened. Musics fans love the site.

The rest of the cemetary it great. Morrison's grave would be the perfect subject for an essay on the sixties. Bunch of people smoking dope and drinking, much like I used to do. They have become a major nuiscance to the neighbors who also want to visit the graves of their loved ones. But the Doorheads don't care. So what if I am stepping on your toes. I have a right to smoke my dope and pour booze on Jim's grave.<BR><BR>Also, it is interesting that it is such an attraction. Typical of the overinflated ego that is a good symbol of the fifties. In reality the guy had a couple of good songs. Not like he is more than a footnote in music history. Then, as his potential is begining to realize itself, he kills himself overdosing on drugs, an act that makes his a great star for decades.<BR><BR>Go to the cemetary, but other people there (and there are scores of really greats) deserve more respect.

self correction. overinflated ego should be of the sixties, not fifties. It was the sixties where we thought we knew everything. Sorry for the mistake.

You will enjoy the visit. I visited Jim's grave in September, 1972, a little over a year after he died. I revisited the grave in 2000 with my cousin, since it was his first trip to Paris, and he wanted to visit it. I had heard in the interim (between 72 and 2000) that there had been lots of changes, mostly due to "fans" destroying the tombs in and around the gravesite. There was also rumor that another site was marked as the grave so people wouldn't wreck the real site any further. That turned out to be untrue. I have pictures from both years.<BR>In 1972, the grave was marked by a simple handwritten small tombstone stuck in the dirt inside the rectangular tombstone area. The marker said "Douglas Morrison" and underneath that it said "James". Underneath that, were the dates 1943 - 1971. To the right, was a peace sign. The center of the grave (which was dirt) had a variety of plants, including a couple of potted plants. Around the grave on other tomb walls were (already) a lot of graffitti, including a big needle, "Jim was not a junkie" and "freak out", among other silly writings. At that time, there were people just sitting around with guitars, very peacefully singing Doors songs. No one bothered anyone else. A "mellow" experience.<BR>In 2000, it was overcast. The walls of the nearby tombs had been sandblasted. A proper tombstone was in place. No plants in the dirt area. All dirt now. A security guard stood by. No sitting on other tombstones. You could stand and look. Long stemmed roses rested in the dirt area. Just as we found the place, the sky opened up and rain poured down. A mystical experience, if truth be told. We took shelter within the doorways of nearby mauseoleums and waited for the rain to subside.<BR>I think it's a nice pilgrimmage, so to speak, as a Doors fan, even though the gravesite is one of the least imposing in the cemetery.<BR>

<BR><BR>dan wrote: "Morrison's grave would be the perfect subject for an essay on the sixties. Bunch of people smoking dope and drinking, much like I used to do. They have become a major nuiscance to the neighbors who also want to visit the graves of their loved ones. But the Doorheads don't care. So what if I am stepping on your toes. I have a right to smoke my dope and pour booze on Jim's grave."<BR><BR>Now, restating what dan wrote, we have: "A restaurant in Paris would be the perfect subject for an essay on the early 21st century. Bunch of people smoking cigarettes and drinking, much like I used to do. They have become a major nuiscance to the other diners who also want to eat at the restaurant. But the NicHeads don't care. So what if I am stepping on your toes. I have a right to smoke my cigarettes."

"time the veil between living and dead is thinnist". <BR><BR>xxx,<BR><BR>Sure! <BR><BR>There are palm readers right here in Austin that will gladly take your $$$ xxx...be just as worthwhile as waiting for that thin line!

True story:<BR><BR>In 1985, I bought a new Nikon camera for a trip to Europe. I left my friend's house in England for Paris by myself. In the train station in London, I met two Americans, who I joined up with for the trip. As we talked, I got around to discussing my last trip to England, during which I was involved in a head-on collision, leaving me with a shattered left elbow I still can't bend or straighten all the way. My one new companion then rolled up his left sleeve to show me a scarred left elbow, which he had limited range of motion in. He had done it years before, but had also been involved in a car accident his last time in England! <BR>We got to talking about synchronicity, and how Jim Morrison's birthday was on the day John Lennon was shot. The guy with the elbow blurted out, "I know, it's December 8th, my birthday." His name was Jeff Marlin (JM), and his friend with us was named Jim. <BR>I took a picture of Morrison's grave that drew the same comments from everyone, "What a haunting picture." <BR>I knew a guy that owned a rock memorabilia business, and he agreed to turn it in to a poster. We sold 20,000 of them over two years, and the poster appeared in two movies. <BR>Still one of the oddest experiences I've ever had. Needless to say, that Nikon paid for itself quickly.

Cool story. I think I've seen that poster.

His body is'nt even buried there.It's Just a big joke. You'll get more sentiment out of watching Oliver Stones movie. This is the end.

Morrison's grave is a disgrace and the best thing that could happen is for the city of Paris to dig him up and toss him out. I will never forget the time we were there. It was quite easy to find his grave, simply had to follow the graffiti that was all over other grave stones and markers. However, the saddest thing we saw was this elderly man that was trying to clean the scrawls off his wife's grave marker (her grave was sadly next to Morrison's) soap and water, while in the middle of a crowd of dope smoking freaks. How pleasant it must be to know that your beloved spouse is buried next to a piece of scum like Morrison. Paris really should wise up, dig him up, and toss him into the river ... let him sleep with the fish.

Just got back from Paris a couple of weeks ago. We went to the cemetary and took a picture of the grave for our son. There were a few people there but the big crowd was standing at Edith Piaf's grave and a man was standing there singing her songs.It was an amazing place but of all of them, Chopin's was the one which brought a lump to my throat.

Thanks for all the replies....especially to ajs...Great praise to serendipity, and great story, life never fails to amaze me. As the originator of this thread I too have a traumatic injury to my left arm and just ended a relationship with a man who had a birthday of December 8th. Looking forward to my Paris trip....Merci.

Wow. I can't believe the exclamation point you put on my story! Enjoy.<BR><BR>"Sub-atomic pause<BR> Effect without a cause<BR> Synchronicity"<BR><BR>-Sting