Cimetière du Montparnasse, Paris

One of Paris’ largest and most famous cemeteries, Cimetière du Montparnasse is home to the graves of some of France’s biggest names, including writer Guy de Maupassant and singer Serge Gainsbourg.

Nestled amongst high stonewalls and shady greenery, the left bank cemetery known as Montparnasse dates back to  1824. Winged statues pause amongst the trees (there are over 1,000) with a trailing floral fragrance sprinkled throughout the many paths. Modern-day buildings and skyscrapers in the distance serve as a reminder of the rich history embedded in this sacred space.

The place, a near rubbish heap in the 16th century, was christened ‘Mont Parnasse’ (Mount Parnassus) by students wandering out of the city from the old university. Belonging for some time to the Hôtel-Dieu hospital, the land was confiscated during the Revolution, and used to bury those lonely souls whose remains went unclaimed.

Among the 35,000 tombs of the Montparnasse Cemetery, Simone de Beauvoir, Jean-Paul Sartre, composer Camille Saint Saens, photographer Man Ray, poet Charles Baudelaire and writer Samuel Beckett lie at rest. Ask for a map at one of the main entrances to find the famous gravesites.

Cimetière du Montparnasse, Paris
Cimetière du Montparnasse, Paris
Cimetière du Montparnasse, Paris
Cimetière du Montparnasse, Paris
Cimetière du Montparnasse, Paris
Cimetière du Montparnasse, Paris
Cimetière du Montparnasse, Paris
Cimetière du Montparnasse, Paris

Opening Hours

Monday:
08:00 - 18:00
Tuesday:
08:00 - 18:00
Wednesday:
08:00 - 18:00
Thursday:
08:00 - 18:00
Friday:
08:00 - 18:00
Saturday:
08:00 - 18:00
Sunday:
08:00 - 18:00
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