A weathered statue watches over the Cimetière ancien de Rueil-Malmaison. Its gaze seems to hold centuries of stories. This ancient cemetery in Rueil-Malmaison near Paris is more than just a resting place. It’s a living testament to history. The Cimetière ancien de Rueil-Malmaison holds the secrets of generations.
Originally the parish cemetery surrounded the Saint-Pierre-Saint-Paul church. It was moved outside the village in 1793. A new cemetery opened in 1837. This became the “ancien” or old cemetery when a newer one opened in Buzenval. The Cimetière ancien de Rueil-Malmaison expanded to its current size in 1862.
The cemetery is particularly significant because of the monument erected in 1886. It commemorates the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871. The first and second battles of Buzenval took place on the commune’s territory. This impressive blue granite obelisk stands 4.5 meters tall. Architect Albert Julien designed it. He was a recipient of the 2nd Grand Prix de Rome. It honors soldiers and citizens who died for their country at La Malmaison on October 21 1870 and at Buzenval on January 19 1871. Bronze medallions adorn the base. Sculptor Antide Pechin created them. Mayor Louis Hervet spearheaded the fundraising that made the monument possible. The monument sits atop a grassy knoll. Around it lie the remains of about 500 soldiers. They were buried in 1876. Previously the Prussians had buried them in 45 mass graves scattered across the battlefields.
Among the notable individuals laid to rest in the Cimetière ancien de Rueil-Malmaison are several significant figures. Actor Pierre-Antoine Alcover and his wife Gabrielle Colonna-Romano are buried together. Gabrielle was a comedic actress for the Comédie-Française. Amédée Dufaure a parliamentarian also rests here. So does filmmaker Julien Duvivier. Celebrated figures like cartoonist Jacques Faizant and painter Jules Guérin also found their final resting place within its walls. Even General Noël Varin a veteran of the Napoleonic Wars notably in Egypt is interred here. His tomb stands silent witness to those conflicts. Perhaps the most poignant graves are those of the three morganatic children of the exiled Queen Marie-Christine of Spain. Their tomb is topped with a moving statue.
The Cimetière ancien de Rueil-Malmaison is not just a collection of graves. It’s a treasure trove of stories. It offers a poignant glimpse into French history. The numerous beautifully crafted tombstones and funeral chapels are testament to the rich past. Each one is unique offering clues to the lives of those who rest beneath them. Exploring the Cimetière ancien de Rueil-Malmaison is like stepping back in time. It allows us to connect with the past and contemplate the passage of time itself.