French Cemeteries

Père Lachaise (Paris)

This is what can be loosely described as the granddaddy of all cemeteries (no offence intended to those who think I am favouring one gender over another). First opened in 1804, it has over 1 mil internments, is placed over 110 acres (for the uninitiated, thats a lot) and welcomes approximately 3.5 million visitors a year. A trip through this cemetery is literally a trip back in time. Those who have left their mark on history can be found with the likes of Jim Morrison, Edith Piaf, Oscar Wilde, Frederic Chopin among many famous names buried here. Memorials to victims of both world wars, the holocaust and even citizens killed in the uprising of 1848 also feature here. If visiting a cemetery is on your list of slightly different things to do during your trip, this is the one not to miss.

Click the images for larger photos & more detail.

Oscar Wilde 1854-1900
People leaving lipstick on the monument required a barrier to be erected
Actors, Simone Signoret 1921-1985 & Yves Montand 1921-1991
Italian composer, Gioachino Rossini 1792-1868
Floral tributes left for Jim Morrison of "The Doors"
The artist, Paul-Jacques-Aimé Baudry 1791-1853
French novelist, Honoré de Balzac 1799-1850
French caricaturist, Honoré Daumier 1808-1879
French poet, Jules Romains 1885-1972
Banker & Politician Casimir Pierre Périer 1777-1832
Scholars, Héloise (1101-1164) & Abélard (1079-1142)
French sculptor, Jean-Joseph Carriès 1855-1894
Memorial to Russian Fighters WWII
1871 Franco-Prussian War Memorial
Monument to Générals Clement-Thomas & Lecomte
Monument to the National Guard's defence of Paris, 1871
The art nouveau style family tomb of Ernest Caillat (1839-1899)
From the Columbarium in Père Lachaise
Dog on a grave
The Durie family crypt at Père Lachaise.
Moreau-Vauthier Monument
One of the leafy walkways in Père Lachaise
Victor Schœlcher, statesman known for the abolition of slavery
Martelot family crypt
Gamichon family crypt
The future crypt of photographer André Chabot
Jim Morrison 1948-1971, "The Doors" frontman
The crowd viewing the grave of Jim Morrison
The writer, Marcel Proust 1871-1922
Architect Louis Visconti 1791-1853 who among other things designed Napoleon's tomb
Théodore Géricault 1791-1824 & his artwork "the Raft of the Medusa"
Artist Alexandre Falguière 1831-1900 (white tomb) a metro station is named after him.
The artist, Lucien Gibert
Pere Lachaise war memorial
Grave of Salmon, Division 14 of the cemetery
Columbarium at Père Lachaise

Montparnasse (Paris)

Montparnasse Cemetery, located in the heart of Paris, has served as the final resting place for numerous renowned figures from the world of art, literature, and history. Established in 1824, the site quickly became a favoured burial ground for intellectuals, artists, and bohemians including the likes of Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir and Samuel Beckett. The tombstones and sculptures, ranging from classical to contemporary styles, reflect the diversity of those interred here. Whether you are seeking to pay homage to literary icons or simply find respite from the urban bustle, Montparnasse Cemetery provides an interesting alternative to the normal Parisian tourist haunts. 

Click the images for larger photos & more detail.

Charles Pigeon (1838–1915), engineer, inventor and manufacturer
Simone de Beauvoir (1908–1986) & John-Paul Sartre (1905–1980)
Jean Seberg (1938–1979), American Actress
Ricardo Menon (1952-1989), assistant of artist Niki
Alfred Dreyfus (1859–1935), Jewish officer falsely accused of treason
Susan Sontag (1933-2004), American author
François Gérard (1770–1837), artist
Frédéric Bartholdi (1834–1904), sculptor of the Statue of Liberty
Leopold Kretz (1907-1992)
Charles Baudelaire (1821-1867), Poet
The central roundabout, with the 1889 statue by Horace Daillion
6 foot high, hand grave markers
Maryse Bastie (1898-1952), Female Pilot
Maryse Bastie (1898-1952), Female Pilot
Bronze fish with breasts, created by sculptor Alex Berdal in 1990
André Citroën (1878–1935), founder of the Citroën car
Close up of the Pigeon family grave

Montmartre (Paris)

Located in the heart of the Paris’ world famous art district, Montmartre Cemetery invites visitors to explore its winding paths and discover the stories of the departed. Dating back to 1825, Montmartre Cemetery boasts an illustrious roster of individuals, including renowned artists, writers, musicians, and even political figures. As you wander through this unique necropolis, you’ll encounter ornate tombs, delicate sculptures, and intricate mausoleums, each telling a tale of a life lived and a legacy left behind. Beyond its artistic significance, Montmartre Cemetery offers a peaceful sanctuary away from the bustling city streets. With its serene atmosphere and sweeping views of the surrounding Montmartre district, it provides an escape for reflection and contemplation. Whether you’re an art aficionado, a history enthusiast, or simply seeking a moment of respite, Montmartre Cemetery invites you to explore its timeless beauty and connect with the spirits of the past. 

Click the images for larger photos & more detail.

Painter Edgar Degas (1834–1917)
The tomb of author Alexandre Dumas (1824–1895)
Aviator Bertrand Dauvin (1933-1954) who tragically died at the age of 21
Violinist Édouard Louis Nadaud (1862-1928)
IMG_0023
20170409_124628
P1050777
20170409_124347
IMG_0025
IMG_0033
IMG_1628
P1050782
20170409_125137
IMG_0028
IMG_0041
P1050779
Polish soldier Miecislas Kamieński

Old Saint-Acheul Cemetery & St. Acheul French National Cemetery (Amiens)

Opened in 1863, the site is actually three cemeteries in one, of which I visited two. The first was The Old Saint-Acheul Cemetery, a communal cemetery intended for the inhabitants of Neuville but also of the southern districts of Amiens. The site replaced the cemetery of the former abbey of Saint-Acheul which according to tradition, is where Saint Firmin and Saint Acheul suffered martyrdom. The second is the French National Cemetery which was created after the First World War as an extension of the old Saint-Acheul cemetery, between 1921 and 1935. The military cemetery covers 1.5 ha and brings together soldiers who died in military hospitals in the city of Amiens during WWI. Of the 2,736 predominately French soldiers interred here, there is also a large Muslim plot (45th Regiment of Senegalese Tirailleurs), British, Belgian and a Russian tomb. It was late in the day (and rather cold) when I visited so my time was curtailed somewhat. An interesting wander and a fitting tribute to those who’s live’s where so tragically cut short.

Click the images for larger photos & more detail.

The entrance the Old Saint-Acheul Cemetery
Family tomb Digeon et Philippe
Grieving woman sculpture
Burial of the Dian family
Paul Tellier (1854-1904), former mayor of Amiens and senator
The starkness of the iron crucifix against the winter sky
An iron crucifix which features in a variety of forms throughout the cemetery
A family tomb from the 19th century. Note the colour glass feature at the back.
The National Necropolis of Saint-Acheul
The war memorial inaugurated in 1924 by Marshall Joffre includes a grieving woman symbolising France in mourning.
The memorial features the inscription "To the dead for the Fatherland 1914-1918" - Le Souvenir Français.
The French war grave section
IMG_0106 copy
IMG_0116
IMG_0109
The 12 British War Graves
Two WWI casualties from the Royal Flying Corps
10 Belgian soldiers buried in the cemetery
IMG_0113
the Muslim plot which contains 220 graves

Annœullin

Annœullin Cemetery, also known as Cimetière d’Annœullin, is a cemetery located in the town of Annœullin in the Hauts-de-France region of northern France. It is a significant burial ground that holds historical and cultural importance in the area. Not only does it serve as a final resting place for the people who have lived here, it also serves as a reminder of the time that the town was situated behind the German front lines during WWI. Attached to the area is a German war cemetery with 1,593 individual graves (7 of which were Russian prisoners of war) and three common graves which contain the remains of 34 soldiers. The site first came into use in October, 1915 when a military hospital was located in the area. I personally love the north of France, as much for the people as for its history and in sites like this, you get a sense of the former while definitely delving into the latter.

Memorial for those who fell in war 1870-71, 1914-18, 1939-45
War Memorial at the entrance of the cemetery
Desreux family grave
Monument to the German 2nd Garde Reserve Division
The inscription on the 2nd Garde Reserve Division monument
Crucifix, 2019
Crucifix after a bit of a cleanup, 2023
The road leading to the crucifix in the cemetery
The German war cemetery extension at the cemetery
The grave of the British WWI fighting ace, Capt. Albert Ball VC
German grave
IMG_0047 copy
The German war extension
The German extension
German war graves (the Jewish soldier is the white headstone)
German war grave
German war grave
Memorial to the French war dead
Memorial to the WWI war dead
Local war casualties
A local victim of "the war to end all wars"
6 of the 7 graves for the Russian POW's marked by the French white cross.
The three CWGC graves of British fallen from WWII
The three British victims of WWII buried in the communal section of the site.
Private Leslie Charles Newell, Durham Light Infantry, died 4/9/44 aged 28
Sergeant Patrick Fitch, Royal Army Medical Corps, 149 Field Amb., died 4/9/44 aged 29.
Private Joseph Miller, 9th Bn., Durham Light Infantry, died 31/5/40 or 1/6/40 aged 31.
One of the Russian prisoners interred in Annoeullin
Dual German war grave
Jewish casualty of the great war

Don Communal Cemetery (Annœullin)

Just over 2km north of Annœullin is the small town of Don. With a population of roughly 1,300, it owes it humble beginnings to the mining industry dating back to the mid-1800’s. One unmistakable similarity that it has with other sites in the region, is the indelible mark of war. Like most of the communal cemeteries in this part of France, casualties of both WWI & WWII can be found mixed in with the former residents of the town. Don, like Annœullin, was located behind the German front lines from early in WWI until shortly before the Armistice in 1918. British clearing stations were established from mid-October 1918 with the last one leaving in January 1919. 126 of the 132 soldiers (6 WWII war dead) interred here came from these facilities as well as from neighbouring fields. Walking through this and other cemeteries in this part of France constantly reminds a person of the senseless waste that is war. 

Click the images for larger photos & more detail.

The entrance to Don Communal Cemetery
Walking from Annoeullin to the cemetery. A WWI blockhouse is in the distance.
A closer look at the blockhouse.
IMG_9925
IMG_9926
IMG_9927
The war grave site with the Cross of Sacrifice in the middle
The war grave site looking back at the Communal section
Victims of war post-November 11 1918
5 victims from the King's Liverpool Regiment killed between 4th & 5th October, 1918.
The one Australian soldier, Frederick Cocks is the fifth grave from the left.
Ch'ih Tung Fu (14449) & Kao Chi Tung (65796) of the Chinese Labour Corps
Three of the six WWII war dead buried in the cemetery
Victims from Wales, Scotland, Canada & England

Phalempin Communal Cemetery

Phalempin is a village of just under 5,000 in the North of France, 8 kilometers south-west of Lille. A quiet and relatively well-off area, it was similar to the above two cemeteries in Annoeullin & Don, in that it remained behind the German lines for the vast majority of the Great War. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) look after 44 graves within the communal cemetery, the majority from 1914-18 (who incidentally were buried by the Germans between 1915-18) and a small number of 1939-45.

Click the images for larger photos & more detail.

IMG_0082 copy
IMG_0067 copy
IMG_0068 copy
IMG_0080 copy
IMG_0077 copy
IMG_0076 copy
IMG_0075 copy
IMG_0069 copy
IMG_0070
IMG_0071
IMG_0072
IMG_0073
IMG_0074
IMG_0078 copy