Montparnasse Cemetery – Moulin de la Charité
Montparnasse Cemetery is situated near the Montparnasse railway station and tower. It is one of the four cemeteries established in Paris during 19th-century to replace the city’s parish graveyards that were closed due to concerns about sanitation. Originally known as the Cimetière du Sud, it was inaugurated on July 25, 1824.
At that time, this southern area of Paris lay beyond the city’s fiscal boundaries, delineated by the Mur des Fermiers Généraux. Primarily agricultural, the land was used for wheat cultivation and featured numerous windmills. Many residents were employed in milling or worked in the local lime quarries.
The vicinity of the fiscal gates, Porte de Montparnasse and Porte du Maine, saw the emergence of numerous cabarets, inns, guingettes, and entertainment venues.
The site where Montparnasse Cemetery now stands was once owned by the monks of the Hôpital de La Charité, who had established a private burial ground there. Following the French Revolution, both the monastery and hospital were seized as national property and subsequently demolished.
However, the Moulin de la Charité, the monastery’s old flour mill, was fortunately preserved. Transformed into a guinguette due to its convenient location near Porte Montparnasse, the mill later served as the caretaker’s lodge upon the opening of Montparnasse Cemetery. Although the windmill has lost its sails over time, it remains a notable landmark and has been designated a Historical Monument.
Montparnasse Cemetery – The 2nd largest cemetery in Paris
Montparnasse Cemetery spans 19 hectares and is one of the four grand cimetières Parisiens, alongside Cimetiere de Montmartre, Père Lachaise and Cimetière de Passy.
These cemeteries were established in the 18th and 19th centuries when the parish cemeteries closed and their remains were transferred to the Catacombs.
With over 750 trees and shrubs, Montparnasse Cemetery is among the greenest spaces in Paris, offering a serene atmosphere for visitors.
It has preserved its original geometric layout, with tree-lined avenues delineating its various divisions, and boasts more than 40,000 graves, making it the second-largest cemetery in Paris after Père Lachaise.
Separated by Rue Emile Richard, a street bordered by century-old trees, the cemetery is divided into two sections.
The eastern section, known simply as Petit Cimetière, is almost triangular in shape, while the larger, rectangular section is referred to as Grand Cimetière.
A wealth of funerary art
In divisions no5 (Petit Cimetière) and no30 (Grand Cimetière), many graves are marked by the Star of David, indicating their initial reservation for Paris’s Jewish community.
The central lawn of the Grand Cimetière features the allegorical statue of the Génie du Sommeil Eternel (Eternal Sleep) sculpted by Horace Daillion, serving as a poignant centerpiece surrounded by graves.
Adjacent to this area, the beautifully restored Moulin de la Charité stands as a historic landmark, rising above the cemetery’s landscape.
Montparnasse Cemetery is also renowned for its diverse collection of funeral art objects and adornments.
Notably, sculptures like L’Oiseau (located in Division 18) and Le Chat by Nicki de Saint Phalle (in Division 6) stand out for their uniqueness.
Inspired by her iconic Stravinsky Fountain near the Pompidou Centre, Saint Phalle’s 1.50-meter-tall colorful mosaic cat adorns the tomb of her assistant and friend, Ricardo Menon, who passed away in 1989.
She also penned his epitaph:
“À notre ami Ricardo qui est mort trop tôt, beau, jeune et aimé.”
“To our friend Ricardo who died too soon, beautiful, young and loved.”
Le Baiser is another unique monument, very representative of the contemporary style of the Romanian sculptor Constantin Brancusi, who is buried in the cemetery.
In addition to individual memorials, you’ll find several memorials such as the Défense Passive in Division 4.
The Monument de la Préfecture de Police is located in Division 27, along Rue Emile Richard and near the Baudelaire Cenotaph.
Furthermore, the Monuments à la Mémoire de la Guerre de 1870, de la Garde Républicaine et des Sapeurs-Pompiers are situated in the center of the Petit Cimetière.
Who is buried in Montparnasse Cemetery?
Montparnasse Cemetery is fascinating!
Indeed, Montparnasse Cemetery contains the graves of numerous French and foreign celebrities and artists from the 19th century, early 20th century, and the interwar period.
These individuals were part of the vibrant cultural scene that thrived in Montparnasse and the neighboring trendy district of St-Germain-des-Prés, which attracted artists seeking affordable living spaces after deserting Montmartre.
It indeed contains the graves of many French and foreign celebrities and artists of the 19th century, early 20th century and the inter war.
They were the people who deserted Montmartre in order to live in the cheaper Montparnasse district and neighbouring trendy St-Germain-des-Prés.
While listing them all is impossible, here are a select few.
The world of literature is well represented
Charles Baudelaire rests with his mother and stepfather in a modest grave (Div6).
The sculptor Jose de Charmoy crafted Baudelaire’s memorial in 1902. Located between Div26 and Div27 along the wall bordering Rue Emile Richard, it features a reclining statue in front of a column topped with a bust of the poet. Baudelaire is depicted in contemplation, with a bat nearby.
Simone de Beauvoir and Jean-Paul Sartre were laid to rest together (Div20), just to the right of the entrance on Boulevard Edgar-Quinet. As prominent figures of the Existentialist literary movement, both authors and philosophers left an indelible mark on Saint-Germain-des-Prés during the interwar period.
Jaqueline de Romilly (Div10) made history as the first woman to become a member of the Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres in 1975. She later served as the Academy’s President in 1987.
Marguerite Duras rests in Div21. She is celebrated internationally for her novel “The Lover,” which earned her the Prix Goncourt in 1984 and was adapted into a film.
Guy de Maupassant, known as a precursor of the modern short story, lies in Div26 (Petit Cimetière).
Samuel Beckett‘s black marble tomb is located in Div12; the Irish avant-garde novelist spent much of his life in Paris and is renowned for his play “Waiting for Godot.”
Eugène Ionesco, a leading figure of the French Avant-garde theatre, was interred in Div6.
Interested in sculpture, architecture and music?
In your search, be sure to visit the graves of Antoine Bourdelle (Div15), Constantin Brancusi (Div18), and sculptor Jules Dalou (Div4), known for his work Le Triomphe de la République on Place de la Nation.
Additionally, seek out the resting place of Antoine Etex (Div7), recognized for his high-reliefs La Resistance and La Paix high-reliefs on Arc de Triomphe, as well as François Rude (Div1), celebrated for his high-relief “La Marseillaise” also on the Arc de Triomphe.
Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, renowned for crafting the Statue of Liberty, designed his own resting place in Petit Cimetière (Div28). His grave is distinguished by a red porphyry obelisk adorned with a bronze statue depicting an angel ascending into the sky.
César Baldaccini, known simply as César, was a prominent figure in welded-metal sculpture. He gained global recognition for his monumental Pouce (thumb) sculpture in La Défense, as well as for creating the trophy for the César du cinéma.
Charles Garnier, the visionary architect behind the Opéra Garnier, rests in Div11. His tomb stands as a testament to his enduring legacy in architectural design.
The composer Camille Saint-Saëns, renowned for masterpieces such as “Carnival of the Animals,” “Danse Macabre,” and “Samson and Delilah,” lies at rest in Div13 of the cemetery.
Familiar with 20th century’ show business celebrities?
You’ll also seek out the final resting places of filmmakers Jacques Demy, Gérard Oury, Eric Rohmer, and Claude Sautet.
And those of actors Jean Carmet, Philippe Noiret, Jean-Claude Pascal, Serge Reggiani, and Laurent Terzieff!
Serge Gainsbourg‘s tomb (Div1) is among the most visited, always adorned with remarkable offerings!
These range from flowers and vegetables to small objects such as Metro tickets or gnomes…
On the day of our visit, there was a cabbage; I’m sure Gainsbourg would have appreciated it!
Montparnasse Cemetery is also the resting place for many foreigners who cherished and lived in Paris.
You’ll undoubtedly feel moved when you discover the tomb of the American actress Jean Seberg (Div13). Despite passing away at the age of 41, she remains eternally youthful.
Another poignant loss was that of the American singer Joëlle from the band Il Etait Une Fois, who passed away at the age of 29; she is buried in Div7.
Before you leave Montparnasse Cemetery…
You’ll also come across the graves of numerous politicians, publishers, medical professionals, and industrial patrons, such as the car manufacturer André Citroën , who rests in the family vault (Div28 – Petit Cimetière).
However, the majority of graves belong to generations of anonymous Parisians!
Their resting places range from traditional to unusual, from amusing to moving, and from endearing to abandoned (perhaps with no surviving family).
Some graves are adorned with flowers, while others show signs of decay. Nevertheless, each one tells the story of its occupant, whether famous or not.
As you wander through the pathways of Montparnasse Cemetery, take the time to pay them a visit.
Plan for at least a couple of hours, although half a day is a more realistic time-frame to fully explore the cemetery.
Before departing from Montparnasse Cemetery, make sure to pay your respects at the grave of the esteemed historian, philosopher, and politician Edgar Quinet.
In 1831, Quinet authored “Le système politique Allemand” (“The German Political System”), a seminal work in which he astutely anticipated the future dominance of Prussia.
His tomb is in Div11.
Opening Hours:
16 March – 5 Nov: Mon to Fri: 8am – 6pm – Sat: 8.30am – 6pm – Sun and PH: 9am – 6pm
6 Nov – 15 March: Mon to Fri: 8am – 5.30pm – Sat: 8.30am – 5.30pm – Sun and PH: 9am – 5.30pm
Open on 1Jan – Easter Sunday and Monday – Ascension – 8Mai – Pentecost Sunday and Monday – 14July – 15Aug – 1st and 11th Nov – 25Dec
Gates close 15mn prior to end of visiting hours
Directions: 14th district – 3 Boulevard Edgar Quinet
Coordinates: Lat 48.837910 – Long 2.327621
Metro: Edgar Quinet, Raspail on Lines 5, 4
RATP Bus 68
