What if these tombstones could talk? Imagine the stories they would tell here at the Cimetière de l’Est. This cemetery is more than just a burial ground. It is a journey through Lille’s history.
The Cimetière de l’Est, also known as the Eastern Cemetery, was created in 1779. It is one of France’s most beautiful cemeteries after Père Lachaise. The Cimetière de l’Est is rich in artistic and architectural treasures. It covers 22 hectares and contains around 36000 plots.
The Coustenoble-Dujardin family gave the land to the city. They requested the grounds keep their landscaped character. Hundreds of trees make it a pleasant place to walk.
Many leading figures from Lille are buried here. You can find the tombs of former mayors Pierre Mauroy and Roger Salengro here. Many other notable people rest here as well. Alfred Agache was a painter. Albert Baert was an architect. Charles Barrois was a geologist. Several members of the Bonduelle family are here too. Jean Boyer was an organist. Charles Buisine-Rigot was a cabinetmaker and sculptor. Ferdinand Capelle was a clarinetist and professor. Alphonse Colas was a painter. Albert Darcq was a sculptor. Maurice Darcq was a cellist. Charles Debierre was a politician and Freemason. Charles Delezenne was a physicist and chemist. Edmond Deren was an oboist and professor. Alexandre Desrousseaux was a poet and songwriter. Emile Dubuisson was an architect. General Louis Faidherbe was an administrator and politician. Henri Ghesquière was a socialist deputy killed by the Germans. Joseph Hel was a luthier. Auguste-Joseph Herlin was a painter and curator. Jules Herman was a flutist and professor. Jean Joire was a sculptor. Alfred Labille was a master glassmaker. Oscar Lambret was a professor of medicine. Augustin Laurent was a resistant and mayor of Lille. Géry Legrand was a journalist and mayor of Lille. Charles Marteau was an architect. Alfred Mongy was an engineer. General François de Négrier was a conqueror of Algeria. Oscar Petit was a violinist and composer. Alfred Quesnay was a flutist and professor. Emile Pierre Ratez was a composer and director. Edmond Riquier-Delaunay was a tenor and professor. Pierre de Saintignon was a politician. Albert Samain was a poet. Louis Schoutteten was a painter. Jean Smilowski was a painter. Achille Testelin was a doctor and senator. Léon Trulin was a Belgian spy. Elisa de Try was a cellist. Emile Vandenbergh was an architect. Philibert Vrau was an industrialist. Auguste-César Wallaert was an industrialist.
The Cimetière de l’Est is mostly Catholic. But it also has Jewish and Muslim sections. You can also find Chinese, Japanese, and Turkish graves. Freemason tombs are identifiable by their symbols. These include the square and compass.
The city of Lille and private companies maintain the Cimetière de l’Est. It is a haven for local wildlife. Squirrels, wild cats, and various birds live here. You can spot ornament flowers and wild plants. Trees include walnut, lime, and persimmon. The cemetery includes a pond. There are areas of late mowing. Dead trunks are left for insects. There are even beehives on the sanitary facilities roofs.
Three entrances provide access to the Cimetière de l’Est. The Porte du Ballon is at the end of the Rue du Ballon. The Porte de Muy is at the end of the Avenue de Muy. Another entrance is on Rue des Vicaires.
As you wander through the Cimetière de l’Est, take a moment to appreciate the peace. Consider the lives of those buried here. Each tombstone marks a life. Each life contributed to the story of Lille.