There are fourteen cemeteries within the limits of the City of Paris, some of them are world famous and historic graveyards such as Père-Lachaise. The cemeteries of Paris were built outside the limits of Paris in the 19th century. They make a great excursion particularly in Autumn!
The fourteen municipal cemeteries of Paris are spread out in the French capital from the West to the East.
Here are the cemeteries listed by their areas (hectares):
In addition, there are more tombs and necropolis in Paris:
- the private cemetery of Picpus,
- the Catacombs of Paris,
- the Panthéon,
- the Hôtel des Invalides (tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte),
- the Column of July (Place de la Bastille) and
- the tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Arc de Triomphe.
- Many tombs are found in several churches in Paris.
There were 52 parish graveyards in Paris before the French Revolution.
One of the largest was the cemetery of the Innocents, located near today’s Les Halles. For 800 years, this was the biggest cemetery in town but also the filthiest. Authorities had the Innocents cemetery shut down in 1780. They transferred millions of skeletons in the Catacombs.
Photos of the cemeteries of Paris
Here below I listed Paris’ most famous cemeteries. You’ll get some links to other articles and photos. Let’s start with Père Lachaise, arguably the most visited of the cemeteries of Paris!
Cimetière du Père Lachaise
The Père Lachaise cemetery is the burial place of Jean de la Fontaine, Molière, Jim Morrison, Edith Piaf, Oscar Wilde, and Yves Montand.
The Père Lachaise cemetery in Autumn © French Moments
Get your ticket for a 2 hr guide tour in English of Père Lachaise Cemetery!
- Explore a cultural highlight, the somber and romantic Père Lachaise, the most-visited graveyard in the world
- Visit the famous lipstick-stained grave of Irish writer Oscar Wilde, American rockstar Jim Morrison, and that of the tragic French singer, Edith Piaf
- Your expert English-speaking guide will provide a rich backstory on each notable grave during the tour
? Click here to get your ticket!
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Cimetière du Montparnasse
The Montparnasse cemetery is the burial place of Charles Garnier, Charles Baudelaire, Auguste Bartholdi, Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, and Serge Gainsbourg. Former French president Jacques Chirac was interred there in October 2019.
Montparnasse Cemetery © French Moments
The cemetery is a haven of peace in the busy district of Montparnasse.
Cimetière de Montmartre
The Montmartre cemetery is the burial place of Hector Berlioz, Marie-Antoine Carême, Dalida, Edgar Degas, Georges Feydeau, Sacha Guitry, Stendhal, and Émile Zola.
Montmartre Cemetery, Paris © French Moments
The cemetery is a vast green area not far from the touristy village of Montmartre.
Cimetière de Passy
The Passy cemetery is the burial place of of Claude Debussy, Fernandel, and Édouard Manet.
Passy cemetery, Paris © French Moments
I love visiting this cemetery in Autumn as it provides beautiful and unusual views of the Eiffel Tower.
Cimetière de Charonne
The small Charonne cemetery is one of the last Parisian cemeteries to flank a church.
The cemetery flanking the church of Charonne, Paris © French Moments
Cimetière du Calvaire
Like the Charonne cemetery, the Calvary Cemetery in Montmartre flanks an old church. It is quite difficult to access it as it is often closed to the public. Nevertheless you can have a great view of it from the dome of the Sacré-Cœur.
The cemetery of Saint-Pierre de Montmartre © French Moments
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3 Comments
This past May we visited Picpus Cemetery near Place de la Nation to see Lafayette’s grave. Fascinating history lesson there about your revolution plus his grave is special for Americans since he was instrumental in our victory during the American Revolution.
Thank you for your comment! You’re right, the Picpus cemetery is a historical place in Paris linked to the American history. I have yet to visit it… as this place is not often opened to the public! 🙂
Dear Pierre,
Thank you so much for interesting information. I have been in Cimetière du Père Lachaise in 2007 November 2 d., a day before my birthday. I spent about 3 hour and even communicated with Madame who used her native speech, e.g. French. At that time it was difficulty for me, because I knew only a few words. Now I am 5 year student, so it would be necessary to return back to Paris and make acquaintance with your suggested places.
Sincerely
Grazina