Exploring Montparnasse Cemetery...
- Parisian Niche
- Oct 29
- 4 min read
Each year, P'Niche says "no more Halloween themed or Halloween adjacent posts," but here we are again - in another season of all things pumpkin spice and spooky related. I can't resist! So with thoughts of the ghosts past of Père Lachaise and the Montmartre Cemetery in mind, and hot cocoa in hand, let's take a P'Niche peek to learn more about the le Cimetière du Montparnasse...
A quiet refuge nestled in the very busting Montparnasse district, we find ourselves at another burial and resting space that was born out of sheer necessity.
We're jumping into the Parisian Niche Time Travel Machine back to the 16th century and pulling over at the intersecting roads of boulevards Vavin and Rapsail.
In this time, we were literally stepping over rubble piles as the area had become a dumping ground of sorts from nearby quarries (I mean, it was a time of growth, building, and development, after all!
But here's a fun fact of the day for you, curious P'Nicher...
All of that debris and rubble began to pile up (and pile up).
This area then became an artificial hill of sorts - and thus the "Mont" (meaning mountain) part of the Montparnasse name came to be! Love fun little tidbits like this...
Over time, local students and young adults would congregate for open air dances, talks, philosophy discussions and the like. Those philosophy discussions bring us forward in time to riiiiiiiight before the onset of the Revolution...
The Age of Reason was the intellectual and philosophical movement that preceded and influenced the French Revolution by emphasizing reason, individual rights, and skepticism of traditional authority - i.e. the Catholic Church.
"It's not a revolt - it's a Revolution." We recall that, during the French Revolution, religion, specifically Christianity, with its non-scientific and faith based belief structure, was systematically banned.
Thus, all of the lands that had previously belonged to the church were confiscated and turned to property of the government. During these times, anyone who dies at the hospital and remained unclaimed was buried here.
While originally called Le Cimitière du Sud (Southern Cemetery), the Montparnasse Cemetery, as we call it today, was formally established in 1824.
The area spans over 19 hectares and is the resting place of over 350,000 graves - many containing multiple souls.
The cemetery reflects an area that became a magnet for artists and intellectuals during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. As we know, by the 1920s, it was already a vibrant hub, attracting countless expatriates, including writers like Ernest Hemingway and painters such as Pablo Picasso.
This unique blend of creativity and thought contributed to the cemetery's growing importance as a final resting place for many of the prominent figures, who influenced literature, philosophy, and the arts.
Many graves feature stunning sculptures and elaborate designs that echo the personalities and accomplishments of those interred, and there is much symbolism to be found. Tombstones often highlight the beliefs and values of the deceased. Common motifs include angels, crosses, and laurel wreaths. An angel might symbolize divine protection, while a laurel wreath suggests victory in life. These details only enhance your visit, providing deeper insights into those resting - one might even say - speaking from the grave!
It goes without saying that artistic charm helped some of the greats select this as their permanent resting place, such as:
Samuel Becket
Jean-Paul Sartre / Simone de Beauvoir
Charles Baudelaire
Man Ray
Among so many more...
Each truly magnificent grave marker truly serves as a testament to their visionary approach to life.
When wandering through Montparnasse Cemetery, look for lesser-known graves not marked by impressive monuments. Many influential artists and thinkers lie in unassuming plots, quietly waiting for discovery by inquisitive visitors.
Ready to get your visit on? Great!
Le Cimetière de Montparnasse
3, bd Edgar Quinet (75014)
Métro: Gaîté (Line 13)
Edgar Quinet (Line 6)
Raspail (Line 4, Line 6)
Denfert-Rocherau (RER B, M 4, 6)
Notre-Dame-des-Champs (Line 12)
The cemetery is open:
Nov 06 - March 15
March from Monday to Friday: 8h to 17h30
Saturday: 8h 30 to 17h30
Sundays and bank holidays: 9h to 17h30
Entry is free, and no ticket is required.
That said, while a smaller space, the cemetery may still be a bit nerve wracking to navigate to best enjoy your exploring.
P'Niche suggests you plan ahead and strategize your route.
You can download and/or print out this incredibly useful map using this Map
Before we close out, a HUGE MERCI to all of you wonderful P'Nichers who shared photos of your experiences to better enhance this post, it is is truly appreciated and honestly, shows how dear this community is and that we all share such a kindred love of Paris.
P'Niche is more than touched by your generosity and good cheer...
If I missed your photo contribution, it was unintentional and know that it was just that - an oversight -merci encore!
So, what do you say, P'Nicher - have you added Montparnasse Cemetery to your plans? If you have already been, what was your favorite moment, monument, or item?
Let us know in the comments below et â bientôt!
I visited Montparnasse after visiting the Catacombs, so much lovelier. So peaceful and beautiful. Merci for the great photos, Chrissy. Debra