Silent stones whisper stories here at Cimetière de la Croix-Rousse. It’s more than just a burial ground. It is a chronicle etched in stone.
Welcome to the Cimetière de la Croix-Rousse. This is a place where Lyon’s history rests in peace. It’s split into two parts the old and the new. Rue d’Ypres divides them.
The Cimetière de la Croix-Rousse started in 1823. Antoine-Marie Chenavard designed it. Initially, the land belonged to Caluire-et-Cuire. The Préfet du Rhône suggested giving it to Croix-Rousse. This required redrawing the boundary. Today, that boundary is Rue du Bois de la Caille.
Lyon annexed Croix-Rousse in 1852. The cemetery became Lyon’s property then. Later, they added a second section. It is now known as the “new cemetery”. Pierre Bourdeix designed its entrance.
Edouard Herriot wanted a grand entrance. It was to honor the dead. That’s why he commissioned Pierre Bourdeix. The main gate stands at 63 Rue Philippe de Lassalle.
The old cemetery has a touching addition. It is the “garden of remembrance”. Here, an information kiosk remembers those. Some had their ashes scattered. Others no longer have marked graves. This area has columbarium niches. It also features rose bushes.
Inside the Cimetière de la Croix-Rousse, 40000 souls found their final resting place. The Cimetière de la Croix-Rousse holds many notable figures. Tony Garnier rests here. He was a famous architect. You will also find Louis Carrand. He was a painter. Joannès Ambre, an lawyer, is also buried here. Françoise Kramer, a journalist, rests here too. Irène Tunc, an actress, is among them. Pierre Montel, a politician, also found his final place here.
The old section houses even more interesting people. Commandant Arnaud a canut rests here. Pierre Dupont a songwriter is also buried here. Claude-Désiré Barodet a mayor of Lyon is also one of them. Paul Gignoux a young boy known for a tragic lynching also rests here.
Most graves are ground plots. However, some vaults become available. These are usually sold at an annual auction. The cemetery also offers cremation gardens. These are small 1m² plots for urn burials.
Imagine the echoes of footsteps. Picture families visiting loved ones. Feel the weight of history under your feet. The Cimetière de la Croix-Rousse links us to Lyon’s past.
Take a moment to reflect. Think about the lives lived. Consider the stories etched in stone. The Cimetière de la Croix-Rousse is a powerful reminder. It speaks of life, death, and memory.