It may sound a bit morbid, but Paris' cemeteries are fascinating historic sites that provide a tranquil escape from the city's hustle and bustle. As a self-proclaimed taphophile (lover of cemeteries), I make a point to pay respects to dearly departed artists, writers, and intellectuals buried in Paris' necropolises whenever I'm in town.
If you want to wander among tombstone tributes to some of history's greatest talents, here are my picks for Paris' top 5 cemeteries:
1. Père Lachaise
This sprawling cemetery in the 20th arrondissement is basically Paris' celebrity graveyard. Rockstars like Jim Morrison and Edith Piaf lay here. So do literary giants like Oscar Wilde, Marcel Proust, and Balzac. With its labyrinth of winding paths, ornate mausoleums, and elaborate graves, it's worth spending hours getting lost in Père Lachaise.
2. Montmartre
Nestled at the foot of the iconic Montmartre hill, this cemetery feels like a quiet village tucked amidst Paris bustle. Painter Edgar Degas, writer Emile Zola, and French historian Jules Michelet are all buried here. Don't miss the Art Nouveau mausoleum or The Kiss sculpture by Auguste Rodin.
3. Montparnasse
Montparnasse Cemetery is the eternal home to many of the Lost Generation creatives who defined Left Bank culture in the 1920s and 30s. Pay respects to writer Charles Baudelaire and philosophers Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir. Snap a photo of the haunted bronze statue atop composer Camille Saint-Saëns' tomb.
4. Passy
For a more intimate burial ground, head to Passy Cemetery near the Eiffel Tower. Composer Claude Debussy, fashion icon Coco Chanel, and writer Marcel Proust lay here under simple headstones. The small but mighty Passy is one of my favorites to explore.
5. Picpus Cemetery
Founded in 1780, Picpus Cemetery houses the graves of nobles beheaded during the French Revolution, marked by minimalist crosses. It's also the final resting place of the Marquis de Lafayette, hero of the American Revolution. A somber but meaningful site.
The next time you're looking for someplace peaceful to walk and reflect in Paris, remember its cemeteries. These burial grounds tell fascinating stories of Paris' enduring cultural icons.
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