Montparnasse Cemetery, in the heart of Paris, is a place where history, art and memory converge. Although it’s not the capital’s best-known, it’s home to many unusual graves, some of which are the resting places of famous personalities.
Charles Baudelaire
Charles Baudelaire, the accursed poet of the 19th century, lies beneath a modest tombstone in the Montparnasse cemetery. His literary genius and contribution to modern poetry are celebrated daily. Visitors still place flowers and feathers in Tribute to the author of Les Fleurs du Mal. But another Tribute to the writer also lurks in the cemetery with the cenotaph between the 26th and 27th divisions.
Serge Gainsbourg
The grave of Serge Gainsbourg is a place of pilgrimage for music lovers the world over. A simple slab, often covered with cigarettes, wine bottles and messages from admirers, marks the resting place of the French chanson icon. Gainsbourg’s provocative aura remains palpable, testifying to his daring artistic life and indelible impact on popular culture.
Sonia Rykiel
Since 2016, the simplicity of Sonia Rykiel ‘s burial plot contrasts with the richness of her fashion legacy. The designer, nicknamed the “Queen of Knitwear”, revolutionized the industry with her innovative creations and her commitment to female emancipation. His grave thus becomes a place where we can feel the creative energy that animated his life.
César Baldaccini
An outstanding sculptor, César is best known in Paris for his emblematic work on Place Michel Debré in the 6th arrondissement. Buried in the Montparnasse cemetery, the artist now rests under a magnificent tomb featuring his famous centaur!
Simone de Beauvoir
Simone de Beauvoir the committed philosopher and writer, is laid to rest alongside Jean-Paul Sartre, her companion in life and thought. Their intellectual love is immortalized in stone, symbolizing a union beyond the boundaries of life and death. Beauvoir’s tomb commemorates her crucial role in the Resistance during the Second World War and her impact on the feminist movement.
Constantin Brâncuși
Visitors to the Montparnasse cemetery can contemplate the grave of Constantin Brâncuși, the Romanian sculptor whose revolutionary creations left their mark on the modern art world. Embellished with the “Kiss”, shaped by the sculptor’s hand, it is definitely worth a visit è
NiKi de Saint-Phalle
The tomb of Niki de Saint Phalle the visionary Franco-American artist and sculptor, offers a captivating artistic experience in the heart of the Montparnasse cemetery. Adorned with his brightly-colored and expressively-shaped “Bird”, the artist’s tomb perfectly reflects the flamboyant spirit that characterized his work throughout his career.
Camille Saint-Saëns
Camille Saint-Saëns, composer and violin virtuoso, takes his place among the illustrious in the Montparnasse cemetery. His grave, sober but harmonious, evokes the eternal melody of his music. Saint-Saëns left a remarkable musical legacy, and his tomb has become a place where music lovers pay tribute to his musical genius.