Explore my favorite corners of Montparnasse cemetery

With 47 acres, 35,000 burial sites and two main sections, it is the second largest cemetery in Paris.
Inaugurated in 1824 the former "Cimetière du Sud" (South Cemetery) was originally located in Montrouge, a village outside the city limits. It replaced farms and windmills and quickly became a Parisian landmark now located in the 14th arrondissement.
November is a great time to go: The French pay tribute to their dead and colorful mum displays pop up around the cemetery.
Join me as I stroll along my favorite section, through an alleyway easy to miss.
During the tour, I tell stories about men and women resting at the cemetery who may or may not be well-known outside France.
For further reading: Two articles mentioned during the tour
A special encounter at the Montparnasse cemetery
francewithvero...
Why I love French cemeteries
francewithvero...
Erratum: Père Lachaise cemetery was referred to as "Cimetière de l'Est."
"Cimetière du Nord" was the Montmartre cemetery.
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[@JoyceJAdams]

Thanks Véro, beautiful time to visit, loved the fall foliage and flowers. It was a very tranquil video.

[@babsr8479]

I love your cemetery tours. They're always very interesting.

[@francewithvero]

Merci beaucoup.

[@kerrin-gaihofstrand4313]

I miss ALL cemeteries in Paris … my way to unwind is always to visit all 3 major ones

[@francewithvero]

They are wonderful indeed. Smaller ones can be nice too, like Saint Vincent cemetery in Montmartre, le cimetière de Passy in the 16th arrondissement or Le cimetière de Picpus in the 12th.

[@jodeeboehm9687]

Thank you for sharing this extraordinary and peaceful moment with us, Vero. Fall is the perfect season, I agree, with the colors and silence.

[@francewithvero]

It was quite an enjoyable walk and I am glad it came across in the video.

[@LizRiveraGoldstein]

My first apartment in Paris was two blocks away. We often strolled through this beautiful cemetery. We have taken flowers to Agnes Varda, President Paul Deschanel, and Serge Gainsbourg. We love walking through on la Toussaint. The loving care that families show by bringing flowers and cleaning the grave sites is touching.

[@sharynpeterson3758]

I've been to the Montparnasse cemetery a couple of times and now it's on the list again for next time! Merci Vero!

[@francewithvero]

Excellent. There's a lot to discover there and it deserves several visits.

[@debrasams2362]

Cemetaries are fasinating. The architecture of the grave sites is beautiful. Many ornate. It feels special to pay respects to people you have learned about in history. Thanks much for sharing.😊

[@francewithvero]

I do enjoy visiting famous people at Parisian cemeteries yet I also enjoy discovering the anonymous ones and trying to figure out who they were and what their lives were like.

[@debrasams2362]

@francewithvero yes, that is interesting to to learn also about unfamiliar people. I often wonder what their lives were like.😊

[@cindygreif3077]

I loved this! Perfect timing with the mums and foliage. Thank you! 🍁

[@francewithvero]

Yes, I was lucky to be there in November.

[@brucefielder9312]

What a lovely place to sit, relax and reflect. Thank you for the tour.

[@francewithvero]

Avec grand plaisir Bruce.

[@jodeeboehm9687]

Be sure to read Vero's essays in the links she provides. They are both quite touching.

[@francewithvero]

Merci beaucoup Jodee.

[@juneparham4028]

Merci Vero. I do love wandering through this cemetery.

[@francewithvero]

So do I June!

[@rickybeltran8270]

Thanks for this video, I too find cemeteries peaceful and having many stories among the tenants. I do appreciate the ornate tombs and mausoleums but it didn’t occur to me that they can be architectural gems. 😮

[@francewithvero]

I know people who studied architecture and spend a lot of time exploring Parisian cemeteries.

[@bromyers9014]

Thank you Veronique for this wonderful glimpse of the cemetery. I hope you have an opportunity to visit my favorite cemetery Green-Wood in Brooklyn, NY.

[@danyelmoulden3803]

Merci Vero! I must admit I've spent so much time going to the museums and libraries, I haven't made it to the cemeteries yet. Montparnasse and the 14th are looking more and more inviting, thanks to your tours! Adding to the agenda for March! I will be paying tribute to Simone de Beauvoir, Merci Beaucoup encore. 😊 A bientôt mon amie

[@francewithvero]

There's always time Danyel! I hope you enjoy your urban explorations in the 14th arrondissement when you make it there.

[@432dc]

Merci, Véro! I love the history found in cemeteries. Thanks for sharing.

[@francewithvero]

Thank you for stopping by Debbie.

[@melvaoconnor]

Very peaceful and relaxing stroll. Merci

[@francewithvero]

Avec plaisir Melva.

[@FRanceSource]

We spent a few hours there 3 weeks ago. One of our favorite places of reflection and calm. How funny we also visited Bruno. Watched his series for years via our VPN.

[@francewithvero]

I like how everyone has a different reason to visit and different people to find there.

[@christopherTYJ]

Bonjour from Minnesota! I also love cemeteries and find them peaceful, spiritual and historical. I hope you show us more videos of Paris cemeteries! Merci!

[@christopherTYJ]

Even in the middle of Minnesota we have heard of Jacques Chirac!

[@christopherTYJ]

I believe Serge Gainsbourg wrote some songs that my favorite, France Gall sang. Yes, there was controversy. I take her side in the dispute. And let's leave it at that.

[@francewithvero]

Bonjour. Thank you for joining me in Montparnasse. I’ve already published several cemetery tours including Montmartre and Saint Vincent. You’ll find them here on KZbin. Enjoy!

[@christopherTYJ]

@@francewithvero Yes! I've seen the video on Montmartre. With France Gall ❤️...

[@JeanMarc2508]

Merci de cette très belle visite de ce fameux cimetière. Bien que j'aie vécu tout près, boulevard Raspail, puis rue Campagne-Première, je n'étais jamais entré dans ce cimetière. Vous m'aurez permis de la faire ce matin. Bien sûr, je reconnais pratiquement tous les noms que vous avez mentionnés et qui, même si mes ancêtres se sont établis au Québec vers 1650, font aussi partie de ma culture... Merci.

[@francewithvero]

Rue Campagne Première, un beau coin! Ravie de vous avoir fait découvrir ce beau cimetière et en vous souhaitant de le voir en personne un jour prochain.