Cimetière des Lilas

Tucked away in the bustling urban landscape, the Cimetière des Lilas whispers stories of time gone by. This tranquil haven, perched above the Plaine de Pantin, offers a glimpse into the rich history of Les Lilas. The Cimetière des Lilas isn’t your typical Parisian cemetery. Its modest size and aged tombstones evoke a sense of quiet countryside charm. Established in 1868, just a year after the commune of Les Lilas was born, this cemetery holds within its walls the memories of notable figures. The motto of Les Lilas, “I was a flower, I am a city”, speaks to the transformation of this area. The Cimetière des Lilas reflects this sentiment. It serves as a poignant reminder of the cycle of life and death, the flower returning to the earth. Here rests Jean Yanne, the acclaimed actor, his on-screen presence now a cherished memory. The sculptor Edmond Becker, whose Art Nouveau and Art Deco creations graced the world, also found his final resting place in the Cimetière des Lilas. Mabô Kouyaté, the talented actor known for his role in “Moi, César, 10 ans 1/2, 1m39”, is also buried here, his life tragically cut short. The cemetery also remembers Francine Fromond, a brave resistance fighter executed by the Germans in 1944. Her courage is a testament to the human spirit’s resilience in the face of adversity. Artists like Gabriel Gostiaux, a painter, and Jef Gravis, whose works transitioned from Figuration Libre to abstraction, found their final canvas within these grounds. The sculptors Mathurin and Auguste Moreau, their hands once shaping clay and stone, now rest beneath them. Even the novelist Paul de Kock and the comedian Jean Yonnel found their final act within the Cimetière des Lilas. The cemetery’s close proximity to the Pantin and La Villette cemeteries creates a unique tapestry of Parisian history. A visit to the Cimetière des Lilas is a journey through time, a quiet reflection on the lives that shaped Les Lilas and the broader cultural landscape. The cemetery’s gates are open from 8 am to 5:45 pm from April to September. In the colder months, from October to March, they close slightly earlier, at 4:45 pm. Take a moment to wander its paths, to listen to the whispers of history in the gentle rustle of leaves.