Beneath these very grounds lies a story. It is a story of rest and remembrance here at Cimetière de Nantouillet. This cemetery is located at the beginning of Rue de Meaux.
Cimetière de Nantouillet offers a final resting place for the village residents. It provides solace and a space for loved ones to remember those who have passed. The cemetery includes a columbarium. This is for those who have chosen cremation.
The Cimetière de Nantouillet is a municipal cemetery. Plots are available to both residents and non-residents. However, there are different fees. A plaque in the Jardin du Souvenir costs 50 euros. A case in the columbarium is 1000 euros for locals. It is 1500 euros for those from outside Nantouillet. A concession costs 150 euros for Nantouillet residents. It costs 260 euros for those from elsewhere. There is an additional 25 euro registration fee payable to the state. The cemetery only offers thirty-year concessions. These are however renewable.
The municipality began improving the cemetery’s management in 2012. The goal was to grant new concessions. They also wanted to make it more welcoming. Moreover, they aimed to restore its archives. The municipality decided to identify abandoned graves. This was in order to start a process of reclaiming those concessions. If a plaque says “This concession is subject to being reclaimed” you should contact the town hall.
One notable figure rests in Cimetière de Nantouillet. Abbé David Boilat was Senegal’s first priest. He was part of a group of young Senegalese men sent to France for education. In 1840, he became a priest. He returned to Senegal in 1843. Later, he came back to France. He served as a priest in Dampart and Nantouillet. He died in 1901 and was buried here.
Lucien Courtois also has connections to this place. He was a member of the municipal council. He was also a history professor. He wrote a book about the village. He captured the life of Nantouillet through the years. Courtois is an honorary president of the Historical Society.
As you wander through Cimetière de Nantouillet consider the lives of those who rest here. Think about Abbé David Boilat. He was a bridge between Senegal and France. Remember Lucien Courtois too. He preserved the village’s history. This cemetery is more than just a burial ground. It is a repository of stories and memories.