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Last Updated: 3 October 2022

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!

 

Watch a short video presentation of Toussaint in France:

 

 

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):

List of Paris Cemeteries © French Moments
List of Paris Cemeteries © French Moments

 

In addition, there are more tombs and necropoleis 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 into 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 popular of the cemeteries in 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.

Père Lachaise, Paris © French Moments
The Père Lachaise cemetery in Autumn © French Moments

 

Get your ticket for a 2 hr guided tour in English of Père Lachaise Cemetery!
  • Explore a cultural highlight, the sombre 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 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!

 

Ticket features
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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. Since October 2019, it has been the resting place of former French president Jacques Chirac.

Montparnasse Cemetery
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
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 Claude Debussy, Fernandel, and Édouard Manet.

Passy Cemetery Paris © French Moments
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.

Charonne Paris © French Moments
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 not often accessible to the public. Nevertheless, you can have a great view of it from the dome of the Sacré-Cœur.

Saint-Pierre de Montmartre 03 © French Moments
The cemetery of Saint-Pierre de Montmartre © French Moments
Gems of Paris by French Moments
About the author

Pierre is a French/Australian who is passionate about France and its culture. He grew up in France and Germany and has also lived in Australia and England. He has a background teaching French, Economics and Current Affairs, and holds a Master of Translating and Interpreting English-French with the degree of Master of International Relations, and a degree of Economics and Management. Pierre is the author of Discovery Courses and books about France.

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  1. 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.

    1. 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! 🙂

      1. 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

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