Opened in 1828 this is the Cimetière de la Villette. It is not a place of grand celebrities. Instead it is a peaceful space for locals. This Parisian cemetery holds stories of everyday lives.
The Cimetière de la Villette spans 1.13 hectares. That is about 2.8 acres. It might seem small but it contains 2500 graves. Think of each grave as a chapter in a book. These chapters tell the history of the 19th arrondissement. The Cimetière de la Villette became the designated burial ground here after the annexation of La Villette into Paris in 1860.
The cemetery is on Rue d’Hautpoul. It sits below the Allée Darius-Milhaud. This walkway follows an old railway line. Look closely and you can see the cemetery through openings in the perimeter wall. The Cimetière de la Villette is embellished with about a hundred trees. Maples lime trees and chestnut trees provide shade and beauty.
The Cimetière de la Villette has a theme. It is a theme of accidental deaths. Many residents here died away from their beds. One notable story is that of Juste Mougeot. He was an Arts et Métiers student. He died saving a young man from drowning. A tragic but heroic end. There is also Maurice Thiery. He was a soldier killed in 1917. His tomb features a beautiful bust. A touching tribute to his sacrifice. A violoncellist is buried here too. She died accidentally in 1960. Two young victims of the CES Edouard Pailleron fire are also interred here. Marianne Debreux and Nathalie Rohner both died in that 1973 tragedy. The Cimetière de la Villette holds a victim of the Rue Riquet bombing in 1985.
The working class is well represented here. The Cimetière de la Villette reflects its industrial surroundings. You will see the graves of butchers and artisans. The cemetery is near the old abattoirs. The tomb of François Servant is of particular interest. He was a companion carpenter. His wife Jeanne is also buried here. She was known as the “mother” of the companions. Once a year a delegation visits their grave to pay respects.
Look for the tomb with a quote from Victor Hugo. “Les livres sont des amis froids et surs” it says. “Books are cold and sure friends.” The Cimetière de la Villette also features sculptures. They are rare but add to the cemetery’s charm.
Several notable figures rest here. Gabriel Albinet was a painter. Lucien Descaves was a writer. His anti-militaristic views caused quite a scandal. Antonio Guansé a Catalan painter is also buried here. Auguste Heng a Swiss sculptor specialized in colonial works. His stone weeping woman adorns his tomb. Georges Staquet a popular French actor is interred here as well. With him lies his wife Tania Staquet. She was a writer and painter. Their tomb is marked by a small olive tree.
The Cimetière de la Villette is a place of remembrance. It is a place of reflection and a place of unexpected stories. It offers a glimpse into the lives of ordinary Parisians. It is a peaceful contrast to the bustling city outside.