Ancien Cimetière de la Guillotière

Whispers of bygone eras echo through the Ancien Cimetière de la Guillotière. This cemetery, once the heart of La Guillotière village, holds a captivating narrative of Lyon’s past. Established in 1822 along the bustling route to Grenoble, the Ancien Cimetière de la Guillotière quickly became Lyon’s primary burial ground after La Guillotière merged with the city in 1852. However, the rapid growth of Lyon soon outpaced the cemetery’s capacity. Just a few years later, in 1859, the Nouveau Cimetière de la Guillotière was opened nearby. The old entrance on Rue du Repos now lies deep within the cemetery grounds. The oldest tombs, weathered by time, cluster near this original entrance. A stroll through this section is like flipping through the pages of Lyon’s history. More modern memorials, primarily from the 1980s, stand near the current entrance on Boulevard des Tchécoslovaques. The Ancien Cimetière de la Guillotière spans a more intimate 5.4 hectares, a stark contrast to its larger successor. A peculiar feature of this cemetery is the surprising number of lion sculptures adorning the tombs. Their silent roars seem to guard the stories etched in stone. Notable figures rest here, including Ferdinand Monoyer and Claudius Rivoire. The Babolat family, known for their sporting goods empire, also has a tomb here. You’ll find the resting place of André Combalot, the prominent brewer who owned much of La Guillotière. His ornate chapel is embellished with a medallion and bust. The dramatic poet Romain Declat, the physician Charles-Paul Diday known for his pioneering work on sexually transmitted infections, and many others are buried here as well. The Ancien Cimetière de la Guillotière is more than just a cemetery. It’s a living testament to Lyon’s vibrant past, where every tombstone whispers a story waiting to be heard.