Ever wonder about a cemetery nestled within the city yet belonging to a distant town? That’s the unique story of Cimetière de Gentilly. It is a place of rest for residents of Gentilly. Gentilly is a commune in the Val-de-Marne. Yet the cemetery is located in the 13th arrondissement of Paris.
Cimetière de Gentilly was established in 1809. This was long before the surrounding area became part of Paris. The city annexed the land in 1925. This explains why this cemetery is located in Paris but belongs to Gentilly.
Take a look around. The Cimetière de Gentilly is bounded by several streets. These include boulevard Périphérique, rue Louis-Pergaud, and rue Francis-de-Miomandre. Also, avenue Caffieri and rue de Sainte-Hélène surround it.
Within Cimetière de Gentilly lie many notable figures. We can find the collective tomb of four people executed at the cascade du bois de Boulogne. There are also commemorative monuments. These honor those who fought in the wars of 1914-1918 and 1939-1945. A commemorative plaque stands against the administration building wall.
The Cimetière de Gentilly also holds individual graves from 1914-1918 and 1939-1945. The cemetery is the final resting place for actor Robert Lynen. Lynen was a member of the French Resistance who was killed by the Germans. The cemetery is also the final resting place for journalist France Roche.
Alain Demouzon described the Cimetière de Gentilly in his novel Melchior en automne.
The Cimetière de Gentilly is a tranquil place with a unique story. It is a piece of one town resting within another. It’s a reminder of changing borders and shared histories. As you wander through, consider the lives and stories that rest here. Take in the unusual setting of this cemetery.