“Who rests here?” That’s a question visitors often ask about the Cimetiere de la Garenne-Colombes. This communal cemetery is located at 96 rue Jules-Ferry. It sits astride two communes. The eastern part belongs to La Garenne-Colombes. The western part including the war memorial is in Nanterre.
Let’s step inside the Cimetiere de la Garenne-Colombes. It’s more than just graves. It’s a place of remembrance. It’s also a testament to local history. The cemetery holds stories of people from all walks of life.
The Cimetiere de la Garenne-Colombes is open to the public year-round. From March 15 to October 15 it is open from 8 AM to 6 PM. From October 16 to March 14 it’s open from 8:30 AM to 5 PM. The cemetery office keeps similar hours. It is only closed on public holidays except for November 1st.
Here at the Cimetiere de la Garenne-Colombes, you’ll find more than just individual graves. There’s a military square. Here lies a monument to the Swedish people. They were buried in France. You will also discover a stele honoring those who died in Indochina. It also commemorates those who died in North Africa. There is also a memorial to the deported residents of Garenne.
Among those buried here at the Cimetiere de la Garenne-Colombes are some notable figures. Lucien Choury rests here. He was a champion cyclist. Gilbert Gil is also buried here. He was an actor. The comedian Alain Philippe is here too. Pierre Probst rests here as well. He was an illustrator and writer. He is best known as the creator of Caroline.
Geneanet has a project to preserve our heritage. It is called “Save our Graves”. You can contribute by photographing tombs. The approach is simple.
For those with mobility issues the town provides assistance. A free shuttle service is available. It caters to seniors over 60. It also helps disabled people with an invalidity card. This service runs one Friday per month.
Grave plots are available for different terms here at Cimetiere de la Garenne-Colombes. For adults, a ten-year lease costs 170 euros. A thirty-year lease costs 720 euros. A fifty-year lease costs 1,800 euros. Children’s plots are less expensive.
Columbarium spaces are also available. A ten-year lease is 240 euros. A thirty-year lease is 720 euros.
Even in a place of rest like Cimetiere de la Garenne-Colombes, life goes on. People visit. They remember. They reflect. The cemetery is not just a repository of the dead. It’s a living part of the community.