parisian cemeteries, the catacombs and pere la chaise
'At this peaceful site, amid trees and flowers,
Sorrows and laments come to cry their tears;
Here they can find a sympathetic shade;
Death hides from their eyes its hideous scythe,
As it spreads its subjects throughout a vast garden;
For the home of the dead has become the new Eden.'
(Written in French on a terrace wall,
Pere La Chaise, Paris 1813)
information
The Catacombs - Open Tuesday-Sunday 2-4 (also 9-11am at weekends)
Address: Place Denfert-Rochereau, 14e,
Metro Station: Denfert-Rochereau
Pere La Chaise - Open Monday-Friday 8-6
- Saturday 8.30-6 Sunday 9-6 (5.30 close in winter)
Address: Boulevard de Menilmontant, 75020,
Métro Station: Père-Lachaise, Phillippe Auguste or Gambetta
Established during 1786 - 8 due to increased overcrowding in the churchyards of Paris the catacombs were built in a set of tunnels and chapels underneath the city. These catacombs house the bones of approximately three million Parisians previously interred elsewhere. Bones from various churchyards are stacked (often in patterns) with occasional inscriptions in French and Latin alongside.
Reforms in burial after the creation of the catacombs led to the building of three cemeteries located outside Paris in the early 1800s. The northern Cimetiere Montmartre, the southern Cimetiere Montpanase and finally the Cimetiere du Pere Lachaise in the East, were early models for the 'garden cemetery' style.
Designed by Alexandre Theodore Bronigart Pere Lachaise became the largest and most celebrated demonstrating the romantic sentimentalism regarding death. There are many famous graves the most popular of which appears to be that of Jim Morrison (see photograph). His grave even has it's own security guard.
The planning included formal avenues and informal winding paths lined with trees. Trees and shrubs were planted in naturalistic groups with the intent of allying death to the natural processes of decay growth and renewal. The picturesque terrain was exploited to display tombs in the new age of sentimentalism for those buried in the cemetery.
The main avenue was planted with lime trees, the transverse route lined with chestnut trees and the perimeter carriage path was planted with poplars. The inclusion of these trees was probably due to their dark thick foliage thought suitable for the sombre atmosphere of a funerary garden.
The design also included vertical features such as monuments and mausolea occasionally located in 'rond- point' or clearing of the trees at an important intersection. Roman influences can be seen in the mausolea along the routes of Pere Lachaise.
Pere La Chaise became the model on which many 19th Century cemeteries worldwide were based.
Père Lachaise
(Clickable Map, History and Grave Index)
The Adams Vault
(Resting place of cemetery photo galleries)
At Random in France - Photo Visit to Pere Lachaise Cemetery
Empire of the Dead
(Very Informative site about the Parisian Cemeteries)
Parisian Cemeteries (in French)
(Extensive site with many beautiful photographs)
Find a Grave - Paris, France
Jim Morrison's Quiet Days In Paris
(Detailed description of Jim Morrison's grave connection with Paris)
Wolrdwide Cemetery Links
more cemetery links...
(Clickable Map, History and Grave Index)
The Adams Vault
(Resting place of cemetery photo galleries)
At Random in France - Photo Visit to Pere Lachaise Cemetery
Empire of the Dead
(Very Informative site about the Parisian Cemeteries)
Parisian Cemeteries (in French)
(Extensive site with many beautiful photographs)
Find a Grave - Paris, France
Jim Morrison's Quiet Days In Paris
(Detailed description of Jim Morrison's grave connection with Paris)
Wolrdwide Cemetery Links
more cemetery links...
