The tiny Saint-Vincent Cemetery
The Saint-Vincent Cemetery opened on January 5, 1831. It covers only 0.59 hectares, which makes it the smallest of the three cemeteries in Montmartre!
The vast Cimetière de Montmartre is located on the western slope of the Montmartre hill. The Petit Cimetière du Calvaire, the former cemetery of the Saint-Pierre-de-Montmartre Church, is located near the iconic Sacré-Coeur Basilica. Despite its modest size, the Saint-Vincent cemetery contains approximately 900 graves, those of the residents, of course, but also of many famous artists who lived in the area.
Who is buried in Saint-Vincent Cemetery?
While strolling through the paths of the Saint-Vincent cemetery, you will discover the graves of artists who once made Montmartre their home and source of inspiration.
You will find here the tomb of Léontine Aubart, better known by her stage name Ninette, who entertained at the cabaret Le Lapin Agile.
Beyond her artistic career, Léontine became famous not only for being the mistress of the wealthy Benjamin Guggenheim, but for surviving the tragic sinking of the Titanic. Guggenheim wasn’t so lucky!
Among the tombstones, you will find the names of influential painters of the 19th and 20th centuries, such as Eugène Boudin, Jules Chéret, Luigi Chialiva, Gen Paul, Eugène Guignard, Ludovic-Rodo, son of the renowned Camille Pissaro, and the famous Maurice Utrillo.
Utrillo’s grave is located near the wall along Rue des Saules and the Lapin Agile cabaret, whose roof can be seen. Utrillo lived for a time at La Maison Rose, Rue de l’Abreuvoir. This iconic pink building has now become a cafe-restaurant with a limited number of tables and serving a single menu.
During your visit to the Saint-Vincent Cemetery, you will also discover the Debray family vault, a family whose history is intimately linked to that of Montmartre.
This old dynasty of millers supervised the operation of the windmills of the Abbey of Montmartre from the 14th century until the French Revolution, when the abbey was destroyed.
After the Revolution, they became owners of the mills and notably transformed one of them into the iconic Moulin de la Galette. The Debray family owns another family vault located in the Petit Cimetière du Calvaire.
The famous director Marcel Carné and the composer Arthur Honegger are among the personalities who rest in Saint-Vincent Cemetery.
Marcel Aymé, the celebrated writer who lived his entire life on the nearby Rue Norvins, rests not far from them. Aymé’s literary talent is perhaps best illustrated by his famous novel Le Passe-Muraille, commemorated by a life-size statue erected in front of his former home.
Finally, for those familiar with the French entertainment world, the names of Gabriello and his daughter, Suzanne, may evoke fond memories.
Opening hours:
16 March – 5 Nov: Mon to Sat 8.30am – 6pm – Sun and PH 9am – 6pm
6 Nov – 15 March: Mon to Sat 8am – 5.30pm – Sun and PH 9am – 5.30pm
Directions: 18th District – 6 Rue Lucien Gaulard
Metro: Lamarck-Caulaincourt or RAPT Bus 80
Coordinates: Lat 48.889388 – Long 2.338987
Discover Montmartre
Montmartre Village Place du Tertre – Petit Cimetiere du Calvaire – Saint-Pierre-de-Montmartre Church – Saint-Jean-de-Montmartre Church – Sacre-Coeur Basilica – Montmartre Abbey Sanctum Martyrium Crypt – Montmartre Cemetery – Le Passe-Muraille sculpture – Le Mur des Je t’Aime – Abbesses Art Nouveau Metro station – Moulin Rouge – Bateau Lavoir – Montmartre grape harvest festival
