top of page
Writer's pictureChristine Childress

Off-The-Beaten-Path in Paris: Cimetière de Picpus



Discover this historic cemetery with mass graves of guillotined nobles and revolutionaries within a serene garden setting.


Why Visit: Reflect on the victims of the Reign of Terror at this evocative and tranquil memorial site.


For Those Who: Have an interest in French Revolutionary history, appreciate exploring historic cemeteries, value memorial sites off the tourist track.


Established in 1720, this cemetery in the Marais holds great historical significance as the burial place for over 1,000 nobles and others condemned to the guillotine during the violent French Revolution. Mass graves commemorate the victims of the Reign of Terror's bloodshed.


Pay respects at the Moving Wall memorial engraved with victims’ names. Visit the Chapel where families would gather before their loved ones were sent to the guillotine. See the Picpus nuns' graves, killed for their aristocratic ties and religious devotion. Reflect on events at sites like the Conciergerie prison just a mile away.


Beyond the relics, Cimetière de Picpus provides a sanctuary from the bustling city with its trees, benches, and tranquil governors' garden—a place to honor those lost as well as living peacefully in the present.


What You Need to Know: The cemetery is located at 35 Rue de Picpus in the 12th. It can be visited during daylight hours.

2 views0 comments

Commentaires


bottom of page