Why do so many people love cemeteries? Paris?First, because the history of Paris is full of larger-than-life figures who eventually found themselves resting eternally in one of its cemeteries.
Secondly, because it is home to some of the most beautiful and moving tombstones in the world. Therefore, visiting a Parisian cemetery is like visiting a place that is a combination of a lovely park and a free museum.
And third, because of the special atmosphere and the many stories that every cemetery can tell you, some of which you will read in the articles, which you will find below.
As you will see, cemeteries don’t have to be just vast parks, like Père Lachaise or the Montparnasse Cemetery. They can also be churches, some of which have been converted into VIP cemeteries, like the Pantheon or the Cathedral of Saint-Denis, which I will write about in the near future.
And finally, I haven't forgotten our four-legged friends, so you can also find here an article about the world's first pet cemetery, which is located in the northwestern suburb of Anyer.
But just before we set off on a journey among graves, allow me to present to you a little poem I wrote in the past on the subject which, I hope, will put you in the right mood.
There among the stones
On your next visit to a cemetery
Please don't go straight to the point.
Wander leisurely, jump over potholes.
Take a look at the tombstones, maybe you'll find poetry.
Because there among stones and tombs
The people are buried but the muse lives.
It is written in stone with sad lines.
On the grave of a deceased person or the grave of a wife.
And if the tombstones say nothing
Speak to the dead, they will not fail you.
Listen to stories like there's no tomorrow
Although they will surely cloud your happiness
At the end of the day, say thank you nicely.
Remove dust from clothes.
Return to poetry and work
Say “Thank God there are dead people”!
The history of cemeteries in Paris
Before we begin our journey through the various cemeteries of Paris, a few words about the main reason for their creation.
Until the end of the 18th century, Parisians buried their dead in cemeteries attached to the many churches that were built in the city during the Middle Ages and Renaissance. The most famous cemetery in Paris at that time was the one attached to the Church of the Innocents but also to the great wholesale market of Paris. La God (Les Halles).
The proximity to the market created a considerable hygienic problem because during floods, the dead, who were buried last and found closest to the ground, would begin to float and “walk” among the fruit and vegetable stalls. During the 18th century, the situation deteriorated and, due to over-burial, the dead, who were increasingly crowded into mass graves, began to “push” the basement walls of the houses in the vicinity. Thus, while going to the basement to get a bottle of good wine for a meal, the Parisians encountered in the real world the hand of an unknown corpse emerging from the wall.
As a result of the overcrowding in the cemeteries in central Paris, it was decided during the 80s to move the bones of the dead from the cemeteries in central Paris to a number of abandoned mines in the south of the city, and thus the The catacombs At the same time, it was decided to establish four cemeteries that would be located outside the city walls and would meet the burial needs of the City of Lights.
The new cemeteries, which began to be created during the early 19th century, are the cemetery of Montmartre In the north
In parallel with the establishment of large cemeteries “for the general population,” several more exclusive burial places were also established in Paris.
The first place is the Cathedral of Saint-Denis, which since the 7th century has served as the royal tomb of the kings of FranceAnother church, which has become the burial site of very important people, is the Church of Sainte-Genevieve, known to us as the Pantheon and where some of the greatest intellectuals of France are buried. And finally, of course, we must not forget the Church of The invalid, where Napoleon is buried, along with a number of other important military personnel.
In the following articles, we will visit each and every one of the burial places I mentioned. All that's left for you now is to scroll down a little, choose an article, and dive into the stories.
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It's really great fun. Your articles are fun and educational.
Thank you so much
Thank you very much 🙂