Look closely at those massive arches looming overhead. These arches give the Cimeti\u00e8re de Louveciennes its unique character. It is also known as Cimeti\u00e8re des Arches.
The Cimeti\u00e8re de Louveciennes has a rich history. The arches are part of the Louveciennes Aqueduct. It is sometimes called the Aqueduct of Marly. Louis XIV ordered its construction in the 17th century. This aqueduct supplied water to the gardens of the Chateau de Marly and the Parc de Versailles. The Seine River provided the water. A monumental machine pumped water up the hill. The water flowed through a canal to the Chateau.
The aqueduct stopped operating in 1866. Subterranean pipes replaced it. Today the aqueduct is a historical monument.
The Cimeti\u00e8re de Louveciennes is divided into two parts. The old cemetery opened in 1880. Tombs from the old parish cemetery were moved here including Mme Vig\u00e9e-Lebrun’s. The old section is a historical landmark. An old calvary dominates the area. The Batterie des Arches and the aqueduct surround it.
The new cemetery connects to the old one through a gate. It is a landscaped cemetery. Tombstones are uniform and discreet. The grounds resemble a lawn.
Many notable people rest here in the Cimeti\u00e8re de Louveciennes. Elisabeth Vig\u00e9e Le Brun was a famous painter. Her remains were moved from the old parish cemetery. Alain Bernardin the founder of the Crazy Horse Saloon is buried in the new cemetery. Jean-Pierre Pernaut a famous TV journalist is also here.
The old cemetery has some curious features. Near the entrance is a detailed map of the cemetery. It shows the important tombs. Each tomb is carefully drawn. You can even see which ones have been removed. The plan is signed Goddard-Chatenet.
Note the tomb of Mme Fr\u00e9miet. She is the mother of sculptor Emmanuel Fr\u00e9miet. Her tomb features a rock with her profile sculpted on it by her son.
The Cimeti\u00e8re de Louveciennes has a military connection. The cemetery sits between the aqueduct and the Batterie des Arches. This battery protected the Fort du Trou d’Enfer. This fort was part of Paris’s defenses built after the siege of 1870.
Some aqueduct stones have graffiti. Soldiers stationed nearby added to it. Some carvings are high up making them hard to alter.
The Cimeti\u00e8re de Louveciennes is more than a burial ground. It is a place where art history and military history meet. Take a moment to appreciate this unique convergence.